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Calling all armchair generals! Boudica's Last Stand.
Gentlemen

I hate to pour a damper on your fun of speculation and counter speculation but I think that the tangents which have been followed and explored are taking the discussion seriously off course. The logistic tail NEVER wags the combat troop dog and the discussion on the battle ground should use the logisitics as a POSSIBLE influencing factor on the choice of battlefield not the major part of the decision.

Ancient warfare, as much as modern warfare, is conducted because of tactical/strategic planning.

AFAIK the Romans withdrew to a strategic point and waited to join battle with the Britons under the leadership of Boudicca. They were not ambushed, nor were they trapped; they fought on ground of their choosing.

Logistics NEVER dictate a tactical position. They can inform and assist or impede the chances of success but when a general of ANY era decides to stand and fight, everything else is concentrated on making that the main effort.

Soldiers will carry what water they have and drink it accordingly. Cavalry mounts likewise. There's plenty of time after a battle to sort the administration out and modern military "standards" should not be imposed on ancient battle fields. You have to live with the fact that these things happened whatever impossibilities might occur to us.

The fact that the Britons had a large baggage train which we are TOLD was used as a viewing platform was probably an added bonus for the Roman force who were already on ground of their choosing. If the Britons chose to make such a terrible strategic error it just reflects the poor command decisions made by their leadership.

As I have said, speculation is good fun and leads to an interesting discussion if kept realistic and does not treat a professional army as a badly led rabble. Yes, the Britons took advantage of one of the main principles of war, suprise, but they failed on all other counts. (There are, by the way, ten principles which apply to any era).

Sorry to be a party pooper but I think a reality check is required on some of the assumptions being made! (and too many words but my first long post :wink: ).
Moi Watson

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
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Messages In This Thread
Re: Calling all armchair generals! - by Ensifer - 03-11-2010, 03:13 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-18-2012, 06:26 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 12:02 AM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 02:50 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 05:40 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 11:26 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-24-2012, 05:11 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-24-2012, 09:42 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-24-2012, 10:10 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-25-2012, 03:11 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-25-2012, 03:25 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-25-2012, 08:36 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-26-2012, 02:57 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-27-2012, 01:50 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 08-05-2012, 02:24 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Vindex - 09-14-2012, 04:37 PM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-07-2014, 02:18 PM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-08-2014, 01:50 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-11-2014, 02:03 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-18-2014, 07:54 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-20-2014, 02:37 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-25-2014, 08:29 AM

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