Post by Gaius Porcius on Feb 25, 2013 19:24:29 GMT
Reports sent to the Council:
As to a report on Gepidia, I have but my own words to add to the records of King Mundus.
"In the early portion of the year, following the great winter storms, the Comes Rei Militari de Gepidia Gaius Porcius, under the orders of Dictator Solomanus was directed to take no actions to promote war in the region and to support the actions of King Mundus as necessary without interfering in his rule. This was the order to my command."
"As the storms damaged the lands greatly and food sources were affected in Gepidia and Thrace, the Comes ordered that granaries were to be protected with extra patrols and that food caravans were to be guarded. Especially noted was the possible threat of those peoples without granaries who might raid into Gepidia. Indeed, this did happen, but following these raids came an invasion of Lombards seeking to return Elimundus to the throne of Gepidia. The preparations of the Comes provided for 2000 troops to man the western limes of Germisara and to prepare that town for defense. An additional 500 troops were stationed at Apulum to the north to patrol the roads. The remainding 6500 troops of limantei were kept near Germisara, between the frontiers and the Gepid royal city of Sarmizegetusa. Notably the command lacked any cavalry to extend its patrols further than a day's march. The further encampments were within a two day march of Germisara. The Comes dispersed praevatores and exploratores to search out any forces moving towards the limes or down from Porolissum."
"The Lombards in strength of 35,000 men came from the north in Porolissensis which was the direction which they had retreated from the armies of Patricius and Iberianus in the previous year. Basing themselves behind the river at Napoca, they proceeded slowly, perhaps gathering locals and supplies. This afforded the Comes time to form a plan of defense at Apulum while he requested the aid of his Dux and King Mundus to occupy Germisara. Leaving 2000 men on the limes west of Germisara, the Comes moved north with 6,000 limantei to reinforce his garission there. He stood alone for one day before the arrival of King Mundus and without word from the Dux. Several hundred miners from the local mountain folk were brought to dig fieldworks to hamper the Lombard troops when they arrived as they did upon the third day.
"By plan, the Comes hid half his men, a force of 3,000 limantei, in the rugged foot hills of Alburnus Major to the west of the road past Apulum. King Mundus with his 11,000 troops including cavalry held the lands descending to Apulum and anchored on the town and the river which protected his right flank. The remaining 3,000 limantei with the Comes Gaius Porcius in direct command held the left flank of the King's line and adjacent to the hidden reserves on the far left flank."
"As the Lombards advanced without praevatores, their light infantry suffered on the traps and pits and became unformed in general. This alerted the heavy infantry behind them, but not well enough to avoid the same consequences. At this point, Comes Porcius ordered his hidden flankers to assault the unformed enemy. By some chance, the commander of the heavy infantry recovered his men sufficiently to meet the surprise attack. It was then a matter of heavies versus lights with inevitable consequences. To this is added that news of the approach of the Dux and his forces were within a two hour march to the south. This news was brought to those fighting on the left flank and inspired them. Elimundus appeared in the battle only at the center of King Mundus line and witnessed this fierce fight on his right flank. With great credit, King Mundus then chose to order a full assault with his cavalry against the invaders who became broken. Elimundus ordered a retreat."
"On the arrival of the Dux, the armies were ordered to rest and not pursue. In the following days, no action was taken other than by praevatores and mountain scouts who noted Elimundus resting at Potassa. Following that, the Dux ordered his troops to advance northwards. He reported that Elimundus was defending the town of Porolissum and brought up the Comes and King Mundus to reinforce the assault. Upon arrival, the Comes sent out scouts and heavy patrols to the east and west searching for the Lombard host, but found none. The town was assaulted by light forces, taken, and it was revealed that a token guard and nearly 4,000 women and children held the place. The Dux did not catch Elimundus who retreated unopposed northwards."
"The matter was left to the judgement of King Mundus to resolve."
Read more: romanimperium.proboards.com/conversation/1995#ixzz2LwKtmf2W
As to a report on Gepidia, I have but my own words to add to the records of King Mundus.
"In the early portion of the year, following the great winter storms, the Comes Rei Militari de Gepidia Gaius Porcius, under the orders of Dictator Solomanus was directed to take no actions to promote war in the region and to support the actions of King Mundus as necessary without interfering in his rule. This was the order to my command."
"As the storms damaged the lands greatly and food sources were affected in Gepidia and Thrace, the Comes ordered that granaries were to be protected with extra patrols and that food caravans were to be guarded. Especially noted was the possible threat of those peoples without granaries who might raid into Gepidia. Indeed, this did happen, but following these raids came an invasion of Lombards seeking to return Elimundus to the throne of Gepidia. The preparations of the Comes provided for 2000 troops to man the western limes of Germisara and to prepare that town for defense. An additional 500 troops were stationed at Apulum to the north to patrol the roads. The remainding 6500 troops of limantei were kept near Germisara, between the frontiers and the Gepid royal city of Sarmizegetusa. Notably the command lacked any cavalry to extend its patrols further than a day's march. The further encampments were within a two day march of Germisara. The Comes dispersed praevatores and exploratores to search out any forces moving towards the limes or down from Porolissum."
"The Lombards in strength of 35,000 men came from the north in Porolissensis which was the direction which they had retreated from the armies of Patricius and Iberianus in the previous year. Basing themselves behind the river at Napoca, they proceeded slowly, perhaps gathering locals and supplies. This afforded the Comes time to form a plan of defense at Apulum while he requested the aid of his Dux and King Mundus to occupy Germisara. Leaving 2000 men on the limes west of Germisara, the Comes moved north with 6,000 limantei to reinforce his garission there. He stood alone for one day before the arrival of King Mundus and without word from the Dux. Several hundred miners from the local mountain folk were brought to dig fieldworks to hamper the Lombard troops when they arrived as they did upon the third day.
"By plan, the Comes hid half his men, a force of 3,000 limantei, in the rugged foot hills of Alburnus Major to the west of the road past Apulum. King Mundus with his 11,000 troops including cavalry held the lands descending to Apulum and anchored on the town and the river which protected his right flank. The remaining 3,000 limantei with the Comes Gaius Porcius in direct command held the left flank of the King's line and adjacent to the hidden reserves on the far left flank."
"As the Lombards advanced without praevatores, their light infantry suffered on the traps and pits and became unformed in general. This alerted the heavy infantry behind them, but not well enough to avoid the same consequences. At this point, Comes Porcius ordered his hidden flankers to assault the unformed enemy. By some chance, the commander of the heavy infantry recovered his men sufficiently to meet the surprise attack. It was then a matter of heavies versus lights with inevitable consequences. To this is added that news of the approach of the Dux and his forces were within a two hour march to the south. This news was brought to those fighting on the left flank and inspired them. Elimundus appeared in the battle only at the center of King Mundus line and witnessed this fierce fight on his right flank. With great credit, King Mundus then chose to order a full assault with his cavalry against the invaders who became broken. Elimundus ordered a retreat."
"On the arrival of the Dux, the armies were ordered to rest and not pursue. In the following days, no action was taken other than by praevatores and mountain scouts who noted Elimundus resting at Potassa. Following that, the Dux ordered his troops to advance northwards. He reported that Elimundus was defending the town of Porolissum and brought up the Comes and King Mundus to reinforce the assault. Upon arrival, the Comes sent out scouts and heavy patrols to the east and west searching for the Lombard host, but found none. The town was assaulted by light forces, taken, and it was revealed that a token guard and nearly 4,000 women and children held the place. The Dux did not catch Elimundus who retreated unopposed northwards."
"The matter was left to the judgement of King Mundus to resolve."
Read more: romanimperium.proboards.com/conversation/1995#ixzz2LwKtmf2W