AHC: Romans defeated by at Anglesey

[Berserker]

In 61 Suetonius made an assault on the island of Mona (Anglesey), a refuge for British fugitives and a stronghold of the druids.

your challenge: one way or another, with or without help from other tribes, make the tribes of the Island of Mona defeat the Romans (possible with heavy losses) right before the outbreak of Boudicca's revolt.

double iff Suetonius is killed in battle.

what could happen next? sure the reputation of the Druids (whom where present at the battle and, according to Roman sources, where putting up a rather impressive display) would increase..

 

[Herzen's love-child]

The attack was just too methodically prepared, with overwhelming forces deployed, for there to be a chance of a Roman defeat at Mona. As it was, it was only the absence of Roman troops and coherent leadership in the rest of Britain because of the invasion, that helped instigate and allow the initial successes of Boudica's revolt in the first place.

You'd have to give Suetonius Paullinus a case of the "stupid" virus. Perhaps tides are misjudged and the naval landing is botched or he simply doesn't bring enough troops.

 

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

The attack was just too methodically prepared, with overwhelming forces deployed, for there to be a chance of a Roman defeat at Mona. As it was, it was only the absence of Roman troops and coherent leadership in the rest of Britain because of the invasion, that helped instigate and allow the initial successes of Boudica's revolt in the first place.

You'd have to give Suetonius Paullinus a case of the "stupid" virus. Perhaps tides are misjudged and the naval landing is botched or he simply doesn't bring enough troops.

Hmmm... what if he is replaced suddenly due to political infighting, and his successor wants to make chages at the last minute, mucking everything up?

Or he dies suddenly, fever say, or dysentery, and the guy who replaces him is incompetant?

 

[Herzen's love-child]

Hmmm... what if he is replaced suddenly due to political infighting, and his successor wants to make chages at the last minute, mucking everything up?

Or he dies suddenly, fever say, or dysentery, and the guy who replaces him is incompetant?

Is Suetonius the only competent general in Britain at the time? Have the Romans no depth?

 

[Unconsensual]

There's the problem that the Romans were really really proud of their military record, inflict a severe defeat and you can expect double the legions in a few years. Against a foe with greater resources, techniques, manpower and willingness to take losses I fail to see how the luck of Britons can hold out.

More importantly even if the leader was horrible, there's the problem that at the unit level the Legions were quite competent, with many of those in NCOs and command structure being veterans.

 

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Is Suetonius the only competent general in Britain at the time? Have the Romans no depth?

There's the problem that the Romans were really really proud of their military record, inflict a severe defeat and you can expect double the legions in a few years. Against a foe with greater resources, techniques, manpower and willingness to take losses I fail to see how the luck of Britons can hold out.

More importantly even if the leader was horrible, there's the problem that at the unit level the Legions were quite competent, with many of those in NCOs and command structure being veterans.

Very good points. One of the reasons i liked the idea of him being ousted in a political manouver is that his replacement might then be picked for political reasons, not military competence.

Youre also right that if the British win a single battle here, which i believe what the op asked for, it may even hurt them in the long run.