Battle of Lake Trasimene - Remote Wargame

Today, I played in a remote wargame featuring the Battle of Lake Trasimene 217 BC, with Jon from Palouse Wargaming Journal as the game’s host. Over the past couple of weeks Jon has been hosting this game with a few other wargamers both as an umpire and player. The outcome so far has favoured Carthage with them winning 3 of the 4 games played.

Jon and I had previously wargamed this battle back in October last year, where I played as the Romans and suffered defeat with many of my units pushed into the lake and lost. Jon offered me the choice or Romans or Carthaginians, and I opted to play the Carthaginians for a change. As usual, Jon provided a game briefing along with a photo depicting the initial positions.

The initial game setup provided by Jon.

In the first turn, the Carthaginian forces moved on to the ridge and advanced to obstruct the leading units of the Roman right wing. Responding promptly, the Roman units moved away from the lake's edge in the direction of the approaching Carthaginian troops. I was wondering at this point whether I should have attempted a charge with the risk of units failing to reach the Romans.

The Carthaginians appear on the ridge and Roman forces organise.

During the next turn, the Gaul units launched a formidable charge into the Roman line with devastating effect. The dice rolls were very kind to me. A number of Roman units were forced into the lake, and the Roman left wing found itself split into two separate sections. Rome’s one success was to repulse the attacking light cavalry.

The Gauls begin their charge after the light cavalry are repulsed.

More Gaul units charge and force Roman units to retreat.

In the third turn, the Roman right wing, remaining unscathed by the Gauls' onslaught, advancing they forcing a unit of Carthaginian heavy infantry to retreat. Simultaneously, their cavalry rushed to support the remnants of the left wing units, catching a Gaul unit unprepared and successfully routing them. Despite this setback, Carthage's medium cavalry joined the assault on the Roman left flank, routing more units, including killing their commander Flaminius.

The Carthaginian attack continues with medium cavalry. While the Roman right flank has some success pushing back the Carthaginian heavy infantry and their cavalry rout one of the Gaul units.

The remnants of Rome's left wing found no respite, facing assaults from heavy infantry under Hannibal's command that drove back their remaining heavy infantry. Subsequently, they were charged by Spanish infantry, resulting in their rout. The Roman army's resolve broke with this final unit loss.

Hannibal with his heavy infantry charge.

Spanish infantry finish off the game with a successful charge.

The gameplay mirrored historical events, with the Roman left being routed and their right wing appearing poised to break through for an escape. It marked another victory for the Carthaginians, bringing the overall scenario score to 4 to 1 in favour of Carthage. 

In the after game discussion we thought for the Romans to win they must roll successfully at crucial moments, especially at the game's start when they are organising themselves, and trying to put space between themselves and the lake to avoid forced retreats into the lake.

A close up of the game and Jon’s wonderfully painted 28mm miniatures.

Thank you to Jon for the game.