Gornalus in Campo Martis occurrit

Towards the end of last month Paul and I met up in GHQ for our {mostly} regular monthly game. This time a Late Roman battle between Gornalus and Pompus Minimaximus using Hail Caesar Mk2 as the rules was our choice. A brief blow by blow account here accompanies a selection of photos taken by Paul and yours truly in the format of occasional added notes. I hope you will all enjoy seeing the collection in action ~

The army of the rightful Emperor, Pompus Primus Minimaximus,  drawn up for the coming battle.

The  ragtag rabble of infantry serving the rebellious Gornalus Taphicus awaits it's destruction with ever diminishing enthusiasm.

A closer look at Pompus Minimaximus' leading Legion...

...and of that of the rabble raised by the rebel General, Gornalus Taphicus, leading from the safety of the rear!

Gornalus has massed his cavalry  on his left flank.

The Light Cavalry leading the way, supported by their heavier brethren.

Similarly Pompus Minimaximus has deployed his cavalry on his right.

The Goths in the pay of Gornalus are placed on his right flank.

They rush forward boldly but are halted unexpectedly by the advancing Legion whose long spears deter the Goth Light Infantry. 

The Goth warbands surge forward through the retiring Light Infantry but are soundly beaten by their Legionary opponents. Gornalus' right flank is in disarray!

In the centre the two divisions of Legionary heavy and medium troops close with each other. First blood here falls to Gornalus' men.

Buoyed by the victory of his Legion Gornalus Taphicus leads his remaining units in the centre forward to exploit the success.

The mass of infantry swirl back and forth as the battle engulfs first one then another unit in quick succession.

On Pompus' right his cavalry wing sweep forward screened by the light woods and burst out on Gornalus' static cavalry!

In haste Gornalus throws the Moors forward to halt the developing assault while hurrying to bring his heavier horse into action.

The heavies of both armies are soon engaged in fierce combat. No quarter is asked or given here!

Victory favours the horsemen of Pompus Minimaximus as they sweep those of Gornalus from the field.

Though not without some losses of their own to take the shine off their victory.

In the centre Gornalus has some encouragement  as one of Pompus' Auxilliay infantry units is destroyed...

...and a second Legion is driven from the field in disarray. 

But Pompus Minimaximus has ample men in reserve and Gornslus' brief sight of victory is snuffed out!

The victorious army's shouts of triumph resound across this Field of Mars!

Escorted by his Bucallarii Pompus Minimaximus rightfully receives the adulation of his troops! He is one step closer to wresting the Imperial Purple from the usurper Baldinus.

As ever in our experience Hail Caesar delivered a splendidly tense battle with fortunes ebbing and flowing across the battlefield until suddenly Paul found Gornalus' army Broken by mounting losses! If only his cavalry had enjoyed more dice fortune the outcome might have been so very different. If only...truly that cry is every wargamer's constant lament!

There will be a brief hiatus in activity across the tabletop battlefield here in GHQ over the next two weeks or so. Phil is away with his family for some well earned R&R and we are enjoying more kitchen refurbishment from Tuesday next. I do however hope to have things to share with you, so don't stray too far. Finally, if you see the new issue of WSS in the shops you might wish to buy a copy and enjoy seeing many photos of my Wars of the French Revolution collection illustrating a number of articles on Napoleon's early campaigns.