Chapter 439 Battle of Aquileia (Part 2)

Fortunately, at this time, Antony's messenger came over in a hurry: "Sir Trebonius, Commander Antony ordered that the left wing does not need to outflank the east side of Aquileia for the time being, but to protect the flanks of the center and maintain Maintain a good defensive formation and wait for new orders to be conveyed before taking further action."

Trebonius was confused and a little angry: "Why did Antony suddenly change his planned plan?!"

The messenger had to explain: "Sir, Commander Anthony discovered that the barbarians had captured the city of Aquileia. They also deliberately pretended to attack the city to lure us to attack. In fact, the barbarian troops were already in position... …So we must be vigilant!”

"Is this a barbarian trap?!" Trebonius was shocked and blurted out: "Then why don't we retreat quickly——"

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Trebonius quickly swallowed them. The deafening sound of fighting coming from the south reminded him that in such a situation, it was impossible to retreat safely.

"Commander Antony asked me to tell you, sir -" the messenger raised his head: "Even if the barbarians played tricks, the Roman legions are not afraid of any opponent in a face-to-face battle! However, the left wing is weaker, so it must remain cautious until After defeating the enemy on the right or center, you go into battle!"

Trebonius calmed down, thought for a while, and said: "I will obey Antony's order, but you go back and tell him that it is best to send me both cavalry and light infantry to strengthen the defense of the left wing!"

The corners of the messenger's mouth slightly raised: "The commander has already thought of this, the cavalry and light infantry are coming here!"

Trebonius had nothing to say. He suppressed his uneasiness and led his troops to the flanks of the center. He took the time to rearrange the formation. While waiting for the arrival of the cavalry and light infantry, he sent people to understand the battle situation in the center. .

He originally thought that the left wing would have a relatively ample period of adjustment time, but the troops he led had just reorganized their formation and before they could fully stand, dust began to fly far ahead.

The barbarians are coming! ... There was a commotion in the left-wing army.

Although Trebonius had sent people to explore the situation of the barbarian army many times before, he had never seen it with his own eyes. With some curiosity, he rode to the front of the battle.

Although he already knew that the weapons and equipment of the Nix soldiers, the main force of the barbarian army, were very similar to those of the Roman legions, the sight that greeted him still surprised him.

The barbarian soldiers wore heavy armor and were arranged in tight phalanxes. They strictly followed the positions of the front and rear of the Roman army when marching. They held large shields and short swords. The shields were closely connected to form a solid defense line, while the short swords were in hand. The sword glowed with cold light under the sunlight.

They marched in uniform steps, like iron walls. More importantly, facing the upcoming battle, they did not like to shout to intimidate the enemy and boost morale like the barbarian warriors in the past. On the contrary, one by one they They were all silent. Not a single shout could be heard in the entire military formation. Only the heavy footsteps like thunder continued and rhythmically sounded.

This was not because these barbarian soldiers were timid. On the contrary, their expressions became ferocious due to excitement. Trebonius was familiar with that bloodthirsty look, because he had often seen it on veterans who had fought in Gaul for many years. Saw it.

This is not a barbarian army, it is clearly a Roman legion that has experienced many wars! ... Trebonius felt a chill in his heart. He involuntarily controlled his horse and took a few steps back. Suddenly, he discovered that the length of the approaching barbarian array was a bit short, and it seemed that there were not too many people.

Trebonius turned his horse around, galloped back to the rear of the military formation, and immediately summoned the messengers: "Go and tell the captains of the Fifteenth Legion (the newly formed legion of Trebonius used the troops adopted by the Gallic army). The number of the 15th Legion that was ambushed and annihilated), let the soldiers brace themselves and prepare for defense, and do not launch an attack rashly! Anyone who violates this will be punished by military law!"

"yes!"

"You go and inform the captains of the mixed legion that once the barbarians launch an attack, they must lead their soldiers as soon as possible to cooperate with the 15th legion and flank the barbarians!"

"yes!"

After giving the order, Trebonius calmed down a little, but after a while, the detective horse galloped over: "Reporting to your lord, there is another large group of enemies coming ahead!"

Trebonius was startled again and urged his horse to the front of the military formation. He saw smoke billowing from the side and rear of the barbarian military formation, and countless figures broke into his sight.

These people were tall and tall, with blond hair and white skin. They wore horn leather helmets and simple leather armor. Most of them held a big ax in both hands, and a few held wooden shields and spears. They did not form a strict array, but waved their hands. With the weapon in his hand, he shouted at the top of his lungs and charged menacingly towards the military formation composed of mixed legions in a chaotic line...

It's Germanic! ... Trebonius tightened his eyes and became nervous again.

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On the top of a tower near the north gate of Aquileia, the siege troops here had stopped firing ballistae because the Roman army and the Nyx army were in full battle.

In addition to them, there were several more people here - King Maximus of Nyx and his attendants.

Maximus was concentrating on overlooking the battlefield to the north when Chief of Staff Pecot walked up.

"How is the battle situation to the west?" Maximus asked with concern.

"We are still in a stalemate." Pecot said seriously: "I have been observing for a while. The Roman army in the west is attacking very fiercely, and the formation is well controlled. It seems that the combat effectiveness is relatively strong...

However, you don’t have to worry. The soldiers of the First and Second Legions are holding firmly. I estimate that it may take some time until the Romans are completely tired before we can take advantage and fight back. "

Maximus understood what Pecot meant: the Roman army marched all the way here without taking much rest, and their physical strength was definitely not as good as that of the recuperating Nix soldiers.

Maximus nodded: "It seems that just as we expected in advance, that Antony wanted to defeat our west side first, so he sent his strongest army there."

"Come and take a look here -" Maximus pointed to the city and said calmly: "In this direction, the Roman army's combat effectiveness is not weak, and the attack is also very fierce, but the third and fourth legions are also very defensive. Stable. The only place where we take the initiative to attack is-"

Maximus raised his right hand and pointed diagonally ahead: "Anthony must have realized that he had been fooled, so he stopped his left wing to protect the flanks of the center. I have ordered the Fifth Army to attack them. , In addition, the German army has regrouped outside the east gate, and I have ordered them to join the battle. When you came up, the German soldiers had already engaged the enemy..."

The original article can be found in Liu#9@书/吧!

While listening to Maximus's introduction, Pecot stared at the battle situation below the city. In his mind, he gradually sketched out a grand picture of the entire battlefield, from the beach outside the west gate to the city outside the north gate, and then extended to the foothills to the north. ...The front line where the enemy and we are fighting fiercely is like a huge "Z".

"Your Majesty, according to the intelligence we have obtained before, the strength of this Roman army is not much different from ours. Most of them are veterans who have participated in the Gallic War for many years, but some are new soldiers who surrendered after defeat...

Judging from the current situation, the Romans should have deployed their weakest army on the left wing! This is just right. In our prior plan, the key to victory is also on the left wing. I think we can send the cavalry regiment up now! "

Maximus understood.

The reason why the Nix army used a fake siege to lure the Roman army to attack: on the one hand, it was to lure the Roman army to attack hastily and greatly consume its physical strength, while its own side occupies a favorable location, recharges its energy, and has an advantage in physical strength; It was to avoid a formal battle with the Roman army, because the cavalry of the Nyx army was stronger than its opponent.

The Romans should be very aware that although the Aquileia area is flat, it is not vast. Antony is also considered the most capable of fighting among the three giants after the end of the Roman Republic. In a formal battle, he will inevitably line up with his back to the west and to the east. With tens of thousands of soldiers lined up from north to south, with the foothills to the north and the bay to the south, the Knicks cavalry lost the advantage of outflanking its flanks, and could only rely on infantry to fight head-on to determine the outcome.

And now most of the Roman army is pressing towards the city of Aquileia on the edge of the bay, thus leaving enough space for the cavalry to gallop in the north!

Maximus hesitated a little and asked: "Should we wait a little longer? Let the cavalry attack after the Roman soldiers are more tired. This will make it easier to annihilate the enemy."

"Your Majesty!" Pecot said a little anxiously: "You and I have both seen that this Anthony did not leave any backup, and the whole army came forward. He obviously lacks the experience of independently commanding an army in combat.

As long as we send out cavalry legions to bypass their left wing, the Roman left wing will inevitably be defeated! By then, the inexperienced Anthony will definitely mess up, and we will definitely win a big victory!

If we let the cavalry legion launch the attack later, we can still win, but during this period we will increase the casualties of some soldiers. This battle will not be our last battle with the Romans. We need to reduce casualties as much as possible. , in order to better deal with future wars with Rome. "

Maximus was convinced: "You are right, go inform Hagux and let the cavalry regiment attack!"

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When the messenger found the commander of the cavalry regiment, Hagux, the Nix cavalry, which had regrouped outside the east gate of Aquileia, was being led by him and following the rear of the German army at a slower pace...