Legio XVII: Battle of the Danube (26 page)

While Legio XX marched north towards Landshut, the battle plan called for Bethica, Lugano’s I Raetorum, and the two Suevi Legions to use the route the recon party was now taking.  That would put them in the woods three miles (4.8km) from Landshut.  Their purpose was to lure the garrison out of the settlement and provoke an attack.

While Bethica and the rest of the group rode northwest from Haag to get behind Landshut, Legate Justus, Tribune Valerian, two aides, and a former Suevi resident of Landshut rode north.  They were looking for a suitable bridge over the Isar to the east of Landshut and out of sight of the garrison.  The Suevi took them directly to it.  The bridge was large enough for a wagon to cross, which meant Legionaries could only march three abreast during the crossing.  That was a problem.  Tribune Valerian looked at the frozen river below and asked the Suevi, “How deep is the river in June?”  The Suevi said, “About three feet (.9m).”  Valerian looked at Justus and they both said.  “We can use the bridge and ford the river at the same time.  Problem solved.”

After four days, Bethica and her weary group arrived at the woods north of Landshut.  They hobbled their horses and walked a mile forward to get on top of a low series of hills that blocked their view of the Teuton garrison.  As they peered over the top of the largest hill, spread out before them were 500 huts and barns surrounded by cleared farm land.  Smoke flew out of numerous chimneys, but they could not see anyone moving about.

Bethica slid back down the hill with the others and said, “This is my plan for the attack.  I want our two Suevi Legions to cross over this hill abreast; form into a triplex acies and advance on the garrison.  Get to within half a mile (.8km) and call them out.  The Teutons must view you as an imminent threat and form their battle array to oppose you.

As the Teutons advance, slowly back up to this hill.  I want them to follow you and leave the settlement behind.  Lugano, I want you to conceal your Legion in those wood to the west.  It’s only about 100 yards (91m) from here so you should be able to advance quickly to hit their flank when I order you to attack.”

“I am going to ask the Proconsul to give us the 50 Scorpio assigned to Legio XX so I can mount them atop this hill to fire into the Teutons.  I will also ask the Proconsul to assign archers to Legio XX to help him clear the settlement and fire into any Teutons who return to protect the loot they’ve stolen from the refugees.  If the Teutons are disciplined troops, which I doubt, and do not return to the settlement, then the archers and Legio XX will advance and attack the Teutons in the rear while we attack the front.  Is that clear to everyone?”  She saw heads nodding and said, “Let’s get out of here and select locations in the woods to place our men once they arrive.  I want guides prepared to lead them to their staging areas to avoid any confusion once we arrive here to do battle.”

Legate Justus and his party arrived at Haag first.  The next day, Bethica arrived.

That evening, Bethica said to Justus, “The Proconsul directed us to leave a detachment in the vicinity of Landshut to maintain constant vigilance of the garrison.  I did not find an adequate observation point from my position north of Landshut.  The woods are too far away and there were no abandoned huts to shelter the men.  Also, the route to and from the woods is too exposed.  They may be spotted when they rotate in and out.”

Justus replied, “I was also looking for a good spot and found nothing suitable.  I think we can tell the Proconsul that we looked, but were unable to find a secure vantage point.  I think he will trust our judgment.”

The ride back to Bad Tolz was as miserable as the ride to Landshut.  Everyone looked forward to evenings and stopping at one of the huts to build a fire.

After 19 days Bethica’s recon party returned to Bad Tolz.  A military encampment had never looked so good.  Everyone took two days to rest, eat, and think about what they had just accomplished.  Bethica was pleased with her performance.  Legate Justus felt he was growing into a real Legate, but knew he still he needed Valerian.

Two days later, Bethica discussed the 50 Scorpio with Justus.  He and Valerian agreed to give them up since they would be in the settlement where they would have difficulty employing them.  They also recognized the value of having the archer to help the Legion clear the settlement that much quicker.

The next day, Bethica spoke to the Proconsul about her reconnaissance trip and request for the Scorpio and archers.  He asked, “Have you discussed this with Justus?”

She replied, “Yes, and he agrees.”

Manius said, “I also agree.  I will have Justus detach them immediate from Legio XX and assign the Scorpio to you so your Legions can train with them and learn how to employ them.  I suggest you simply tell the Centurion in charge of the Scorpio where you want him to set up and let him do the rest.  He is very experienced and will give you good results.”

Manius paused for a moment as he gathered his thought; he did not want his next comment to offend Bethica.  “Bethica, I’m glad you have the foresight to request the Scorpio because this brings up a larger issue.  Calvus’ Attack Group has two veteran Legions: XVII and V Etrusci.  They’ve see action against Hannibal’s troops and know how to fight.  Your Attack Group has fewer men with fighting experience.  Your Suevi Legions have no experience and only half of I Raetorum has seen combat.  Because of this, I want to ensure you have all the capability I can give you.  I will assign Snake’s 1,000 archers to your Attack Group for this mission and give you all the Slingers.  I will also pull the 50 Scorpio from V Etrusci and give them to you so you will have 100 Scorpio.

“Thank you,” said Bethica.  “I welcome all the help I can get.”  Manius nodded to her and she departed.  She was not familiar with the Slingers and decided to meet with them for a demonstration of their capability.

Manius called his aide, “Have Legates Calvus and Justus, Snake, and the leader of the Slingers report to me.”

“Yes sir,” replied the aide and left the room.  Manius wanted to make sure everyone understood the assignment of forces.

Two days later, on 8 March, Legate Justus briefed the results of the leaders’ recon.  The Proconsul as well as all eight Legates attended.  Justus used one of the terrain models to describe the route and plan of attack.  He showed where Legio XX and the 1000 archers would be hidden along the river bank and where I Raetorum, the two Suevi Legions, the Scorpio, and Slingers would be positioned on the hill north of Landshut.

Manius was the first to speak, “I can see that you and your staff have put a lot of thought into your battle plan and I commend all of you for your effort.  I like the plan in concept specifically the ditch, I Raetorum’s surprise attack from the flank, and Legio XX’s attack on the rear of the Teutons.

I also note the similarity to Legate Calvus’ battle plan.  The terrain, however, between Calvus’ plan and yours are radically different.  Whereas Calvus has woods and valleys, you will fight your battle on a flat open plain, which gives the enemy commander several options.  By that I mean, initially, he will think he outnumbers you by two to one since he will only see 10,000 of your men.  Faced with those odds, he may elect to try to get some of his troops on your flanks or he could simply watch you to see what you plan to do.”

“I think you have to take the initiative and force him to react to a series of unexpected events.  We want him and his men to be over confident and then unsure as they have to react hastily to different threats that you create.”

“Bethica, since your new troops are untested in battle, we have to give them three things to ensure success.  One, something to boost their confidence before they engage the Teutons: two, a safe place to retreat and regroup if they are forced to withdraw: and three, a battle plan they can understand and believe will win.”

“Let’s gather around the terrain model and look at some other courses of action.  First, use the night before the battle to dig a trench at the base of the hill behind which your men can regroup if they are forced to withdraw.  The hill behind the trench will give them a safe place to mount a vigorous defense.  Next, I would pair one of your Suevi Legions with I Raetorum to lure the Teutons out of their settlement as opposed to using your two Suevi Legions.  I Raetorum fought at Innsbruck and is battle tested.  They will stiffen the men that you plan to show the Teuton.”

“To give your 10,000 men who will be facing 20,000 Teutons additional confidence, I would suggest placing 25 Scorpio on each flank and far enough out so that they can fire continuously at the Teutons without fear of hitting their own men.  They are mobile weapons, so as you advance, they can advance with you.”

“This creek here on the western side of the plain: how deep is it and how steep are the banks?”

Bethica responded, “It’s about two feet deep, 15 feet across, and the banks are about three feet high and rather steep.”

“Good,” said Manius.  “I would suggest you put your 10,000 men close to the creek; within one or two hundred yards.  I would place your other Suevi Legion on the far side of the creek along with 500 archers.  It’s important to begin pulling apart the 20,000 Teutons before they engage your 10,000 men.  We want to force the Teuton commander to separate his army to deal with this threat on his left flank.  I think if you show him 2,000 Suevi warriors at the edge of the tree line by the creek, he will send 5,000 of his men to remove this threat.”

“As the 5,000 advance, your 2,000 men will slowly move back through the trees, cross the creek, and join the 500 archers and 3,000 Suevi warriors waiting on the far side of the creek.”

“If they attack your men, I think the creek will run red with their blood and your men will prevail.  If they hesitate and don’t want to cross the creek and attack up the steep bank, the archers and your pila should still decimate their ranks.  In either case, I think the remnant will flee the fight and spread fear and confusion when they rejoin the main Teuton army.  The archers should pursue them and continue firing into the Teutons’ main body”

“You now have 300 cavalry; I will give you 200 more to create another credible threat to the Teuton right flank.  The sudden appearance of 500 horsemen with 500 archers mounted behind the rider can be very unsettling to infantrymen.  If the cavalry conduct a series of false charges against the Teuton right flank, the Commander will have to separate even more men to face this new threat.  If he orders 5,000 warriors to stop moving forward to face the horses, your 10,000 mixed Suevi/Raeti warriors will now be facing 10,000 Teutons.  One more very important point, place your cavalry on the opposite side of the Teuton archers.  If the archers are on the Teuton left flank, put your cavalry on your left flank and vice versa.”

“I expect the Teutons’ confidence at this point will be shattered.  They will see threats to their left and right flanks and their attacking force will be reduced by half.  Once your Scorpio begin to rip into their lines, I think most of the fight will go out of them.  At this point Legio XX should begin to burn the Teuton huts and create more confusion and uncertainty.  I would suggest giving 50 Scorpio to Legio XX and put 25 on each flank of the Legion to enable them to continue to fire as the Legion advances to make contact with the Teuton rear.”

“I have a feeling that these Teutons will want to surrender when all avenues of escape are blocked.  If they lay down their weapons and signal their desire to surrender, stop the killing and take them prisoner.  We can use them as a work force and a bargaining chip with Timur.  Make these changes to your battle plan and brief me again.  Thank you all for your hard work.  Congratulation to everyone!  Bethica would you remain for a moment; I would like to talk with you.”

When the room cleared, Manius said, “Bethica, you did not mention the stay behind detachment in the briefing.  What is their status?”

Bethica said, “Proconsul, we searched for a secure observation point north and south of Landshut to observe the settlement, but were unable to find one.”

Manius looked down, pursed his lips, and shook his head slightly from side to side.  “I think it’s a mistake not to observe the target, but if you feel that it can’t be done without jeopardizing the mission, I’ll support your decision.”

As Bethica left the Proconsul, she felt she had disappointed him and was angry with Justus.  She assumed that if a Roman told her to ignore Manius’ order that the Proconsul would understand and concur.  It was painfully obvious to her that Manius did not agree.  She decided not to discuss it with Justus.  It had been her decision and she realized she had relied too heavily on Justus.  She was the decision maker; she couldn’t blame Justus.

She walked to her headquarters, which was collocated with Legio XX and told an aide to gather the Legates and the six men who had gone on the recon as the stay behind observers.  When they assembled, she said, “I’ve decided to send our six observers back to Landshut.  I am concerned that in our absence, the garrison could be reinforced.  I don’t want to plan to fight 20,000 Teutons and end up facing 50,000.  We know there are no observations points north, south or west of the settlement, so we need to find a place on the east side.”