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Brian Swartz · 08-14-2014, 07:47 AM

b]Spring, 273 BC[/b]
Second Battle of Messana

What looked like a straightforward battle took a major twist before it even began. Scouts reported that hiding in the woods to the west was another army under Matho, a huge force numbering fully 30,000 men. Withdrawing was no longer an option: the consuls were committed, but taking on both at once would likely be suicidal -- they would be grossly outnumbered more than 2:1. It was decided to attack at night, hoping to avoid Matho for the time being. Having the fresher if smaller army, Mus began the attack and both consuls approached the Carthaginians from the southwest ...

Partly due to good execution and partly due to unusually good fortune, the attack was timed almost perfectly, both armies engaging in concert. With the outcome of the battle very much in doubt, Mus's cavalry made a determined massed charge against the right flank, and the enemy did not hold up long under the pressure, fleeing the field.

It was a massacre -- about 1800 Romans dead, 9000 for Carthage.

08-14-2014, 07:47 AM	#185
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	b]Spring, 273 BC[/b] Second Battle of Messana What looked like a straightforward battle took a major twist before it even began. Scouts reported that hiding in the woods to the west was another army under Matho, a huge force numbering fully 30,000 men. Withdrawing was no longer an option: the consuls were committed, but taking on both at once would likely be suicidal -- they would be grossly outnumbered more than 2:1. It was decided to attack at night, hoping to avoid Matho for the time being. Having the fresher if smaller army, Mus began the attack and both consuls approached the Carthaginians from the southwest ... Partly due to good execution and partly due to unusually good fortune, the attack was timed almost perfectly, both armies engaging in concert. With the outcome of the battle very much in doubt, Mus's cavalry made a determined massed charge against the right flank, and the enemy did not hold up long under the pressure, fleeing the field. It was a massacre -- about 1800 Romans dead, 9000 for Carthage.