Sardinians in the Second Punic War

[Jim Webster]

The 215BCE Battle of Caralis has been a frequent fixture on our gaming tables in both 6mm and 28mm using the C3i scenario for Commands & Colors.

Have you any details of the armies involved under the rules as I'd be fascinated to see what conclusions others have come to 

[Jon Freitag]

Jim, the scenario can be found here.

[Jim Webster]

Jim, the scenario can be found here.

Thanks for that, interesting 

[Dave Knight]

Jim, the scenario can be found here.

I am not familiar with command and colours troop types.  Some are obvious, but what to the counters in Hempsicora's command represent in wargames terms?

[Jim Webster]

Jim, the scenario can be found here.

I am not familiar with command and colours troop types.  Some are obvious, but what to the counters in Hempsicora's command represent in wargames terms?

I must admit I share your interest 

[Jon Freitag]

The 'W' troop type is warband.  These would be recruits from inland Nuragic Sardinian tribes that Hampsicora raised.

[Mick Hession]

H = heavy infantry
M = medium infantry
L = light infantry javelinmen
LS = light infantry slingers
A = auxilia
W = warband
E = elephants
MC = medium cavalry
LC = light cavalry

The little portrait counters are leaders. The numbers in the bottom right of each unit icon shows unit strength in blocks (4 for infantry,  3 for cavalry and 2 for elephants)

[Jim Webster]

Thanks John and Mike 

[stevenneate]

A C&C legion for scenarios in the Punic Wars period is generally depicted as 1xH, 2xM, 1xL javelinmen.

The Roman sailors or general tribal infantry could be the Ax (Auxilia) type - they don't fight as well as medium M infantry but can shoot with javelins. They can also move an extra hex faster but if they do they cannot combat.

The warband (W) can double move if they can make contact with an enemy and combat like M troops until they are weakened, when they then melee like Ax troops. Makes them powerful on first combat if fresh. Does this sound like the Nuragic infantry in this battle? I don't know, but these unofficial scenarios in C&C are the creations of individuals and hence it it their opinion of events. I would be interested to see how you describe them.

There are two C&C scenarios for Caralis, but the second one looks to be a shorter version of the link above. I'm planning to gear my team up to give this scenario a few run throughs.

[Jon Freitag]

Give it a try, Steven.  This one is well-balanced and a good challenge for both armies.  It is one of our favorites.

[stevenneate]

There is an article on the "battle of Cornus 215 BC" in issue 139 of Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy Magazine. It's a quick rundown followed by the usual representation of armies for Hail Caesar: Epic Battles.  The majority is pictures of what might be the Warlord Games Epic figures and rehashed artwork.

[Jim Webster]

Cheers Steven
The article is currently with the editor 

[Jim Webster]

Steven mentioned an article to me
SPQR Scenario.
Caralis: The Battle for Sardinia, 215BC

In it there is the comment.
"Therefore, early in 217 the praetor Aulus Cornelius Mammula was sent to reinforce the island's garrison with Legion V, a full-strength double legion with some 10,000 foot and 800 horse."

I have hunted high and low for any evidence of this, the only thing AI turns up when I ask about it is this article, and I think I've scoured Polybius and Livy and found nothing.
Anybody got any hints?

[lionheartrjc]

There is mention of Mammula in Livy Book 23, but I think this comment of a double-strength legion is an invention for the scenario. Could Rome have spared a double legion for Sardinia with everything that was going on in Italy?

[stevenneate]

And that's how clever Fabius Cunctator's plan was. Avoid battle with Hannibal whilst sending every soldier to Sardinia. And in Italy, noboby will notice a thing....