0:00:02 > 0:00:05June of the year 451, and the forces of the crumbling Roman Empire
0:00:05 > 0:00:08are battling the whirlwind military might of the Huns
0:00:08 > 0:00:10in a field in France.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Tonight, a team of kick boxers...
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Don't get hit by the charge. Pull back, Joe, pull back.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18..take on a team of karate experts.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- They're flanking you. - Whoa, you've smashed into them.
0:00:21 > 0:00:26The teams will take on each other in one of the greatest historic battles
0:00:26 > 0:00:29between Rome and Attila.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Let's get the artillery in.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Matt, you've got Romans flanking to the right.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38It's a virtual refight of one of the most important battles
0:00:38 > 0:00:40ever fought in Western Europe.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Can the barbarian horde bring the Roman Empire to its knees
0:00:46 > 0:00:50once and for all? Or will the Roman military machine
0:00:50 > 0:00:52put an end to their invasion?
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Find out on Time Commanders.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Hello and welcome to Time Commanders,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07the show where the pages of the past are ripped up and rewritten,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11as we refight the greatest battles of all time.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15We've brought together a crack team of hands-on experts in ancient
0:01:15 > 0:01:21weaponry and a military strategist who calls herself the War Doctor.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24At the heart of it all is the engine that brings our ancient battles to
0:01:24 > 0:01:27life. Based on rigorous historical research,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31it's accurate down to the smallest detail.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Let's meet our competitors.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Tonight, we have a team of kick boxers.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Mac, Joe and Chris, are you battle-hardened and ready to fight?
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Absolutely. Ready to go.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47And keeping with the fighting theme, a team of karate veterans.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52Welcome to Time Commanders, Chris, Alan and Laney.
0:01:52 > 0:01:53I love this.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Karate experts versus kick boxers.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00- Yep.- And looking into their eyes, do you see fear?
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- Well, they look fitter. - We see fear.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Nervous? ALL: No.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- Ready to go. - You should be.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Ooh!
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Fighting talk from the vets.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18Tonight, you'll be fighting the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21sometimes known as the Battle of Chalons.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23You look a little bit blank, actually.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- You look a little bit blank. You know?- I have no idea.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29No idea? No idea?
0:02:29 > 0:02:34Rome takes on the Huns in what is widely considered to be the last
0:02:34 > 0:02:38great battle of the Western Roman Empire.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43We've tossed a coin to decide which team will take to the field
0:02:43 > 0:02:46as each of these incredible fighting machines.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Team Karate, you will be the army of the Roman Empire,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53an army that draws soldiers from across half of Europe,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56with a fighting tradition that stretches back centuries.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Yes.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Team Kick Boxers, that means you will be the army of the Huns.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Their very name struck fear into the hearts of people in the fifth
0:03:05 > 0:03:11century, as city after city fell to their lightning strikes.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Romans, that means your general is the man known by some
0:03:16 > 0:03:22as the last of the Romans, Flavius Aetius.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Aetius was master of the Western Roman Empire,
0:03:26 > 0:03:32and effectively ruled as king of Gaul, now modern France.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Which of you is up to the task of stopping the Huns?
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Which of you is going to be our Western Roman general?
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- That's me.- And you're hoping to keep your rabble in line, right?
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Oh, I don't know about that.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47I expect a coup at some point.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- Would you?- Yeah, they've all got the fighting spirit in them.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Well, you know them and you know their fighting spirit.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56If you are going to be Flavius Aetius,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- then of course you are the captains.- Yep.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Huns, that means one of you will be the man
0:04:02 > 0:04:04whose name is synonymous with the word barbarian.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07He was a canny commander and tactician.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10This, of course, is Attila.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Attila was the fearsome leader of the Hun empire
0:04:14 > 0:04:18in Central and Eastern Europe, but he now has designs on the West.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- That's me.- Are you going to be our Attila?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23I'm apparently going to be Attila the Hun.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Forgive me, but you may be the least Attila-looking Atilla I've ever seen.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Well, looks can be deceiving.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Well, Attila, you are our general, of course,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34which means that you are Attila's captains, OK?
0:04:34 > 0:04:36We've met our teams.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Now let's meet our two resident experts -
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Doctor Lynette Nusbacher and Mike Loades.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Hello, Time Commanders. A little bit of background.
0:04:44 > 0:04:50So we're in 451, and by this stage the Roman Empire
0:04:50 > 0:04:53is split into two - two autonomous parts.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56You've got the Western Empire, still controlled from Rome,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00but you've got the Eastern Empire controlled from Constantinople -
0:05:00 > 0:05:02modern-day Istanbul.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Now Attila, until this point,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07has concentrated all his efforts on the Eastern Empire.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Attila turns his attention to Europe,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13which is ripe for rich pickings.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Europe, at this point,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18has become a patchwork quilt of tribes
0:05:18 > 0:05:23that have migrated from Central Asia into Europe.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28The Goths and the Gepids and the Alans and the Huns.
0:05:28 > 0:05:34And both the Romans and the Huns are in the process of building up
0:05:34 > 0:05:37coalitions of these wandering tribes,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40to do battle against each other.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45There's a little twist to this story, because Flavius Aetius,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48the Roman general - that's you, Karate Chris -
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Flavius Aetius is a friend of the Huns.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56He was originally a hostage at the Hunnic court, so he grew up there.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59He knows their customs, he knows their language,
0:05:59 > 0:06:00and he knows how they fight.
0:06:00 > 0:06:06And now Attila, the old ally, has come to face him there.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08You got that, guys? Empire's in two.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12East, West on Rome. OK. The Huns are on their way.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16There is an amalgamation of different tribes and Romans,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and a battle is about to happen.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Now it's time for the teams to take it in turn to have a practice fight
0:06:23 > 0:06:26in a skirmish. To ease them into the challenge,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29they'll start by using just one captain at a time.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32The outcome of their skirmish won't affect the main battle but what they
0:06:32 > 0:06:35learn here will help them hone their military skills.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43First, an opportunity to learn more about the soldiers and the weapons
0:06:43 > 0:06:46that they wielded at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50Huns, please pay particular attention to this,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53because your skirmish will depend upon it.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56It's over to our field team, with some help from Mike here,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00to introduce you to Attila's most fearsome warriors.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Archers were always important on the battlefield
0:07:06 > 0:07:09but imagine if they could shift faster than anybody else
0:07:09 > 0:07:11and become shock troops.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14And that is exactly what the Huns did.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Horse archers were highly mobile. They shot from the saddle.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- What's the secret?- The first secret is to shoot from the other side
0:07:20 > 0:07:24of the bow. You were shooting on this side, which is what European
0:07:24 > 0:07:26archers do, and they shoot with their fingers.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28The trouble with that is, if you're galloping along, this happens,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31and that's really embarrassing on the battlefield.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34So the first thing I do is do it on the other side of the bow
0:07:34 > 0:07:36and I shoot with my thumb. Now you see,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40if I shoot with my thumb and lock it with this index finger,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43how that is pushing the arrow on the bow, so now when I'm in motion,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46the arrow is entirely stable.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Also, now I'm shooting on that side of the bow,
0:07:48 > 0:07:53look how ergonomic it is to bring from the quiver onto the bow.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55So I can shoot much more quickly.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58And rate of shooting becomes very important.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01In fact, another thing you can do with the thumb draw is have three
0:08:01 > 0:08:03arrows in your hand.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05So now I can get a quick loading technique, you see.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09I just fold this arrow down, push, pull, it's on the string.
0:08:09 > 0:08:10And I can draw and shoot.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Bring the next one down, draw and shoot.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17Because when you're galloping along, arrows per metre is what counts.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22So all of these techniques help the horse archer get a volume of arrows
0:08:22 > 0:08:24into the enemy at speed.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26So you could deploy them and they could lay down volleys of arrows
0:08:26 > 0:08:30from that static position, or they could become hit-and-run troops.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Yeah. Hit-and-run was really their strong point.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36So they would ride up to an enemy and they'd be shooting
0:08:36 > 0:08:39into his ranks as they went forward.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42But then, as they got close, they would turn,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45often luring the cavalry to follow them.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48They would then turn and shoot over their shoulders.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52And this is what's known as the Parthian shot.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56The Hunnic horse archer is one of history's most iconic
0:08:56 > 0:08:58and most lethal warriors.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Huns, most of your army are horse archers,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09so I hope that information really sunk in.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13And I don't know whether you recognise this Hunnic archer.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14He was on the horse.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17He is going to explain what your skirmish is going to be.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18So here you are.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Here is your Hunnic horse archers.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23The objective is this town.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27And it is the objective for these Romans.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Can you see, there are some units of Romans over there?
0:09:31 > 0:09:36So you have got to use your speed and mobility
0:09:36 > 0:09:38to stop those Romans,
0:09:38 > 0:09:42slaughter those Romans, before they can get to the town.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Guys, you understand this, that's the town
0:09:44 > 0:09:48that the Romans are heading towards. This is you.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51You have to get there and stop them getting in.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Simple as that. Time to pick a fight.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Let the skirmish begin.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Right, get on your horse, the Romans are coming.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Take up your positions.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05In their skirmish,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09the Huns must get to the town before the Romans and stop their enemy
0:10:09 > 0:10:14by any means. First up, as front line commander, Joe.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- What's happening?- Right, let's get these horse archers up and block off
0:10:17 > 0:10:20the town from the Romans. So get them out there quickly.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24We need to get over there and block the space between the town and stop
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- the Romans from getting in there. - So at this stage, this is a race.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28Who's winning the race?
0:10:28 > 0:10:32Well, Chris certainly appreciates the nature of the problem.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Chris has made it very clear that they've got to start hitting
0:10:35 > 0:10:38the Romans as soon as possible and they've got to
0:10:38 > 0:10:40keep on hitting them with those
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Hunnish horse bows until the Romans aren't there any more.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45I think we should split into three groups -
0:10:45 > 0:10:47one in the middle and one either side,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49so we can block and go round the corner.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51OK, captain taking charge.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52I'll take that, I'll take the intelligence.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- All right. General...- Let's do that.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56General, are you going to do what the captain tells you?
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- Yep.- How many units have you got there?
0:10:58 > 0:11:00One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Eight.- Eight.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Can we peel off possibly a couple of units to harry the Romans,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- kind of slow them down?- Yeah, yeah.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Send over two from the right side to go straight to the Romans
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- and try and distract straightaway. - I'll tell you what,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16you are moving with some rapidity here, aren't you?
0:11:16 > 0:11:20The Huns have speed on their side as they race towards the town from
0:11:20 > 0:11:25the south. But the Romans coming from the north-east are even closer.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Actually, yeah, can we pop over to the Romans?
0:11:29 > 0:11:31There they are.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- Dead ahead.- Yeah, get a bit closer to the Romans if you can.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Get in front of the town and take these three...
0:11:37 > 0:11:39So do you have a plan, General?
0:11:39 > 0:11:41For this, basically using mobility.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45Harry the Romans and try and slow them down and try and not stay still,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47just because I think the cavalry are better on the move.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Captain, you look like you've got complete charge of this and don't
0:11:51 > 0:11:53actually need a general. Is that right?
0:11:53 > 0:11:56It's a micro skirmish, so I thought I'd just try and get this one done.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Let's save the town first.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Micro skirmish. All right. Micro skirmish.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05The Huns are making good headway towards the town
0:12:05 > 0:12:08but the Roman cavalry have other ideas.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13Joe, we've got cavalry coming into the town fast now.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Are you sure that cavalry's heading for the town?
0:12:16 > 0:12:18It looks like it's heading to you.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Heading for our full cavalry, so send off one unit
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- to take the cavalry.- What Chris has to do is get his people shooting
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Romans as soon as possible.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Every minute that those Hunnish horse archers
0:12:31 > 0:12:34are not killing Romans is a minute wasted.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- Just keep moving forwards.- OK.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Try and pull that unit away.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40That's good.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Do you think the captain's actually doing what you ask him to do?
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- I don't know if he is. - Joe, is the captain doing what I asked him to do?
0:12:45 > 0:12:49I'm trying to but at the same time I'm trying not to make our people die.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52So with four units you're trying to stop the infantry,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- and with the rest you're fighting the Roman cavalry.- Yeah.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57So the Huns have got a barricade now.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00They've put their cavalry between the town
0:13:00 > 0:13:02and the Roman infantry coming.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Now the Roman infantry and the remains of the Roman cavalry
0:13:05 > 0:13:08are coming straight at them.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12OK, so be careful. Don't get hit by that charge.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Don't get hit by that charge.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Don't get hit by the charge. Pull back, Joe, pull back.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Don't let them get at the city.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- Aw! I'll bring the cavalry closer.- OK.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Is it going to plan? Is there a plan?
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Crush the enemies. That's the plan.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27OK.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29SIREN WAILS
0:13:29 > 0:13:31All right, Captains, swap over.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Next, Captain Mac.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- OK.- Close in, Mac.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- Close in.- Try and separate out those two cavalry at the top and close in
0:13:41 > 0:13:44with the four units of cavalry we've got at the top.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48The Huns' strategy is to completely surround the Romans,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52close in on them and break up their units to weaken them.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- These guys...- Too melee horses in the middle not doing anything.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57Can we get them charging in?
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Get them charging in and get them cutting off the whole unit
0:14:01 > 0:14:04at the top, to the north, which isn't doing anything.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06That one, attack there.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Keep putting pressure.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Let's get those, the infantry.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Can you hear the instruction from the general?
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- I can hear him.- Fine.- Literally everything in and close in.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22They're right in the centre of us and they're
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- cutting that one unit apart. - Get those guys in.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26The Huns have surrounded their enemy.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28There's only one thing for it.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Circle of death. - OK, yeah, circle of death.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Circle them in. Circle them in. Harrying with arrows.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Are you charging them?
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Charge them. Oh!
0:14:48 > 0:14:51They're keeping good formation.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54The Roman infantry broken there, look.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Wow! Look at them scattered and running.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57Good shooting from the Huns.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00How do you feel about Mac doing a full frontal charge into them?
0:15:01 > 0:15:02They're wavering. Go for it.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Yeah, do it.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Push, push.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Tell him, tell him what you want!
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- Mac, push, push in. - I don't think he knows what you...
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Melee, melee. Get in.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Is that the right thing to do? Is that working?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16I think we've got the numbers advantage and we'll be fine.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- Yeah, we're done. That's it. - They've nothing left.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- Have you done it?- That's game over.
0:15:20 > 0:15:21That's just a taste.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Wow! OK, well done.
0:15:26 > 0:15:27Well done.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30So, victory for the Huns,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33whose deadly horse archers and infantry crushed the Romans
0:15:33 > 0:15:35before they got to the town.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38They will be a force to be reckoned with in the main battle.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45You did terrifically.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Dead Romans all over the field.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51There's nothing better than dead Romans all over the field.
0:15:51 > 0:15:52THEY LAUGH
0:15:52 > 0:15:54You're so partisan, aren't you?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57There's nothing wrong with going out there,
0:15:57 > 0:15:58standing off, running circles,
0:15:58 > 0:16:03literally running circles around a Roman operation there.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05They tried to get where they were going,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08they had no chance because you just massacred them.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12You kept your people moving, and you kept your people shooting.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15What was required here was speed and violence,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17and you gave us both.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19I would just put a...
0:16:19 > 0:16:24question mark over the chain of command here,
0:16:24 > 0:16:25and the communication.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27I think to a certain extent, the captains looked like
0:16:27 > 0:16:29they might have been running this on their own.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Micromanaging everything from up here can lead to confusion.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35He sorts the strategy, we do the tactics.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38I think a bit of information from both of you guys back would be good,
0:16:38 > 0:16:39so I get what's going on,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41cos I can only see this big view and I can't see
0:16:41 > 0:16:43what's going on there, how the units are, so...
0:16:43 > 0:16:44But that's what a skirmish is for.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Well, you did very well.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Romans, you've been waiting patiently
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and hopefully learning a thing or two along the way.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Please pay close attention to the field team
0:16:56 > 0:17:01as they introduce you to a rather deadly piece of Roman artillery.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06This is a cheiroballistra,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09a bolt-shooting machine.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Roman state-of-the-art artillery.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Cheiroballistra actually comes from the Greek, meaning hand shooter,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17and you can see, one man can shoot it on his own.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19You do look like you're at the gym.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22It's taking an amount of time. Is that...?
0:17:22 > 0:17:23That's because of the gearing?
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- It is.- You have to operate the gearing.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- It can only go so fast. - With each pull,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30you're gathering more and more energy.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32You can feel the string tightening.
0:17:32 > 0:17:33Absolutely.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35And now we're ready for the bolt.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38Well, that's fantastic.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40That's a tremendous amount of power.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41Where does it come from?
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Well, it's best to actually look at this earlier machine
0:17:44 > 0:17:45to explain how it all works.
0:17:45 > 0:17:46This is a Xanten machine.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48It works on the principle of torsion,
0:17:48 > 0:17:49you see these skeins of rope.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Torsion means twisting.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54The arms of the machine are pulled back by the string,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57so tightening the tension of the twisted ropes.
0:17:57 > 0:17:58More twist, more power.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00We pull the trigger.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08And not only can it be operated by one man,
0:18:08 > 0:18:09it can be carried by one man...
0:18:11 > 0:18:12..and easily set up.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Well, that's an immense battlefield advantage
0:18:14 > 0:18:17over its larger predecessors, which were slow to manoeuvre,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19and they required a team of men.
0:18:19 > 0:18:20With this technology,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23they could field hundreds and hundreds of bolt shooters,
0:18:23 > 0:18:24which they did.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27The secret to packing a big punch with a smaller machine
0:18:27 > 0:18:29was improved metal technology.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32You can now move the springs further apart,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35which of course means now, when you draw the bowstring back,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37the arms can be pulled back even further,
0:18:37 > 0:18:38which gives you increased power.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41So as long as you've got a plentiful supply of ammunition,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43you've got a very formidable weapon.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Cheiroballistra gave the Romans a huge advantage.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49It gave them great hitting power,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52but it also gave them a weapon that even a raw recruit could use.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Now, of course, we're on the other side of the battlefield -
0:18:59 > 0:19:01the Roman side.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Can you imagine the carnage that those things would cause?
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Time to see those artillery pieces in action against the Huns.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Lynette, could you show us the scenario, please?
0:19:11 > 0:19:16You Romans have got a piece of vital terrain to look after.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17You're on a hill.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22On that hill, you've got some Roman artillery.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25You've got some cheiroballistra, and you've got onagers -
0:19:25 > 0:19:27great big stone-throwing machines.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30And you've also got a bit of infantry
0:19:30 > 0:19:34and a bit of cavalry down here, alongside the hill.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38And as you can see, not too far away,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40we've got some Huns.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43So you've got to worry about them coming up here
0:19:43 > 0:19:48and knocking over your ballistas and taking that hill from you.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51If those Huns get on top of this hill,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54they'll kill the engineers working those artillery pieces,
0:19:54 > 0:19:56and you lose.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Look, basically, guys, this is your hill.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03That's your artillery pieces.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06All right? You've got a little cavalry, bit of infantry.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Those are the Huns.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Right, time to get a taste of it.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16To your positions.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Right, can we get the artillery, Elaine,
0:20:18 > 0:20:22across the ridge of the hill?
0:20:22 > 0:20:25General Chris sends Elaine into battle first.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27What's your plan? What's your plan?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Well, I want to get the artillery to defend the hill,
0:20:30 > 0:20:36and then I want the horsemen to go round the back, if possible, of the Hun,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40cos the artillery would be useful against the horses.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45Look at this. The Romans, our team, are being very clever.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50They're bringing their Roman infantry up onto the hill,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52and it looks like they're going to put them
0:20:52 > 0:20:55right in front of all of those artillery pieces on the hill.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Chris, have we got any side defences?
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Get the horsemen either side and take the horsemen round.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- They're not horsemen.- Oh, right.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Have we not got horsemen?
0:21:06 > 0:21:08You've got one horseman on the right-hand side.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11That's your horsemen. They're infantry.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12Right, OK.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15The Huns are coming!
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Right into the horses.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20We need to take down as many as possible.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23The Roman artillery are starting to shoot at the enemy Huns.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Your artillery's done brilliantly.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- Come them back. - Are you taking orders,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31or are you doing your own battle plan?
0:21:31 > 0:21:33I'm doing a bit of both, really.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34We're getting the horses.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- Are you two mates?- Get the horses.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- We're sisters.- You're sisters?- Yes.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41You're sisters! You've got a sister on the ballista.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Let's go. Let's go.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Go get those...
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Get those stones, as well.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50The Huns are starting to flank to the left.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53The Romans need to stop them with their cavalry.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57What's happening on the left?
0:21:57 > 0:21:59On the left. Bring them here, over here on the left.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Round the front. Round the front if we can.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Don't get our horses in front of the artillery, Elaine.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05- No.- Get the horses round the back.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Whoa, you smashed into them!
0:22:08 > 0:22:11The Roman cavalry have hit the Hunnish cavalry
0:22:11 > 0:22:12that are trying to flank.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Now, they need to get their infantry on board.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21See, the Roman infantry should be preparing for this Hun attack.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23They're not prepared.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Oh, my goodness, that's going to be rough on the Romans.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Make sure the infantry don't get in the way of the artillery.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31No, that's it, march them forward.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Take them forward. - They need to hit those Huns.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35They can't wait for the Huns to come to them.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Come on, infantry. Go, go.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Turn them. If you can turn them towards these guys.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44The Roman infantry are now clashing with the Hunnish infantry.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Start attacking these guys here.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Take out as many as we possibly can.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Massive sword fight going on.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58- Can we use the ballistas at the top? - Yes, ballistas.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Right, captains, captains, turn round.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02And now, it's Alan's turn.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Take the horsemen. They're coming at the centre.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10Take the horsemen from the left, and take out those from the centre.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11The Huns are coming up the hill.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Keep shooting.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14Come on.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Let's get those ballistas going.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- The Huns are coming up the hill in the middle!- Throw stones at them.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- Uh-oh. Uh-oh.- Aim properly. Right.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Take the army from behind now, Alan.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Try and run up behind.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35- Come on.- Hun infantry are now up on the hill.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39You can see that the Huns are starting to slaughter
0:23:39 > 0:23:42the Roman engineers with their artillery pieces,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45and the Roman cavalry are doing nothing to protect them.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47The Huns have got the upper hand.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53The Roman cavalry need to step up and help their artillerymen,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55but they're just not getting that order.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59We've got some more soldiers over there to the left.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01Bring them back in behind.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Use this weaponry here, at the front.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06- Look at them standing around. - Nobody knows what to do.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10So they are standing around, isolated pockets.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Do you think the actions aren't actually happening as fast as you want?
0:24:14 > 0:24:16No, they're not. We've got to get them...
0:24:16 > 0:24:18It's a pity we're not on horseback.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Come on, get them running.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23I think you're doing it, though.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Finally, the Roman infantry are coming to help.
0:24:26 > 0:24:27We've got some horses as well.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Bring them over to the right-hand side.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Take our horses over to the right-hand side
0:24:35 > 0:24:37and take out any more Hun.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39So we enclose the Hun.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Are you struggling to understand what...
0:24:41 > 0:24:43I'm just trying to find my way around here, I...
0:24:43 > 0:24:46She wants you to get the horses. Do you know where your horses are?
0:24:46 > 0:24:47Come from behind...
0:24:47 > 0:24:49That's them. He's found them for you.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50They're your horses.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51Oh, them lot. OK.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53There's the Roman cavalry.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54They are about to make a Hun sandwich.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58They just might pull this out of the bag.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Hun in a bun.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Hun in a bun.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04- CHRIS:- Nice stuff. Moving in on the Hun, quickly.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08You've done it. You've done it.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12The Romans toughed it out,
0:25:12 > 0:25:16utilised all their assets and made the terrain work in their favour.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19It's a great result to take them into the main battle.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Let's pick over what we saw, shall we?
0:25:27 > 0:25:28Well, they won,
0:25:28 > 0:25:32but it was more expensive than it should have been.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35Especially because you had cavalry
0:25:35 > 0:25:40sitting around doing nothing while they came in and killed your people.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Command structures.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46A lot of chatter going on down here.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Was everybody talking and nobody listening?
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Well, I actually got lost in there, really.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54I couldn't see where the horsemen were, and
0:25:54 > 0:25:57her blasting it away, wasn't sure.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59I've got a habit of saying go over there,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01instead of go left, or go right.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- LYNETTE:- So communication's going to be really important
0:26:04 > 0:26:05for you guys to work out.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10And that's saying meaningful things to each other in all directions.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14What I learned was how devastatingly effective your artillery can be,
0:26:14 > 0:26:17but how vulnerable they are if you leave them undefended.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20I think you all need to have a very clear idea
0:26:20 > 0:26:24of what troops you've got AND where they are.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- Yes.- But I think you did sterling work.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29I can't see one single Hun.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Well done.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Teams, you've actually now watched each other in combat.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42So I'm going to ask both teams, the pair of you now,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44what do you think of your opposition?
0:26:45 > 0:26:47I think we've got it. I think we'll be OK.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52I think that I saw one of their units kind of out there
0:26:52 > 0:26:54not doing, really, a lot.
0:26:54 > 0:26:55Whereas we had all of our units moving at once.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58We had everything charging in and constantly moving,
0:26:58 > 0:26:59constantly doing something.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01I don't feel like we had anything wasted.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03And I feel like that might carry it for us, really,
0:27:03 > 0:27:04cos we've got that control.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Ooh! All right.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08And what do you make of them?
0:27:08 > 0:27:10I think we're better communicators.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13- You think?- I think so.- You think your communication was better?
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Isn't it interesting how you teams perceived the battle?
0:27:16 > 0:27:17Cos I perceived it very differently.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18Oh.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19THEY LAUGH
0:27:19 > 0:27:21You did both win, though,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24so I think we go into this big battle pretty even.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Are you sure, both teams,
0:27:26 > 0:27:28that you've got the right general?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Chris has got a great overall strategy of the situation.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33In this first skirmish, it was a bit difficult to really...
0:27:34 > 0:27:37..oversee the big picture. Cos we've had that battle,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39we've got a little bit of confidence on our side cos we've won a battle,
0:27:39 > 0:27:41and I think that should carry through.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43A little bird tells me you were actually born in Rome.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Yes, I was. So it's kind of hard fighting Romans,
0:27:46 > 0:27:47seeing those all dead Romans around.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50- Kind of tricky. - CHRIS:- Come on our side.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54I just now need to check, do you want to step up and be general?
0:27:54 > 0:27:56I think she should hold,
0:27:56 > 0:28:00she should be the general and I'll take the front.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02And she needs to be more direct.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06- Yeah, I do need to...- Not go over there with this, that.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Well, if you think there's a communication problem,
0:28:08 > 0:28:10now's your chance to change it.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12- No.- No, we'll stick with. - I'm comfortable with her.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Fair enough, fair enough.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18So, teams, it's June in the year 451 CE,
0:28:18 > 0:28:23and Attila has retreated as far as the fields of the Catalaunian Plain
0:28:23 > 0:28:25in what has become the Champagne region.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27The armies are like a who's who
0:28:27 > 0:28:31of the barbarian tribes of the late Roman Empire.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Lynette, can you throw some light on this, please?
0:28:33 > 0:28:37We're on a field that's not far from
0:28:37 > 0:28:40the city that is now called Orleans in France,
0:28:40 > 0:28:44and the Huns have been besieging that for a while.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49And they've left that place to come here and fight the Roman army
0:28:49 > 0:28:51that's come to drive them away from the town.
0:28:52 > 0:28:57This is a field dominated by one feature - a significant hill.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02And the army that is able to control that hill
0:29:02 > 0:29:07is going to be able to control the surrounding low-lying countryside.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09It's called the Montgueux Ridge.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14The result you want is to annihilate the other army.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16You've got to drive - one or the other of you
0:29:16 > 0:29:19have got to drive the others from the field.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21The ridge could be useful in that,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23but it depends what sort of army you have.
0:29:23 > 0:29:28Now, Aetius, you do have a predominantly infantry army,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31although a third of your army is cavalry,
0:29:31 > 0:29:32so you've got a mixed army.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34But you've got your artillery.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36That will suit well on a ridge.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40So Romans, look, if you want know your position, you are roughly...
0:29:41 > 0:29:43..here.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45And here. OK?
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Now, that means, Huns,
0:29:47 > 0:29:49you are about there.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Roughly. OK?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54So, Romans, as you can see, you've got the hill to your left.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Huns, you've got the hill in front of you.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Lots to consider here, I think.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02So there's a different distance that you've got to cover.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05And Romans, you've got artillery.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07Huns, you've got fast horsepower.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10So there's a trade-off with those distances.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14So you really have a number of things to balance, but remember,
0:30:14 > 0:30:19your ultimate objective is to drive each other from the field,
0:30:19 > 0:30:22or to annihilate each other.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27You are in contest for who will now rule Europe.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Two very different armies there, with very different weapons,
0:30:33 > 0:30:37which leads us nicely into the last of our field demonstrations.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44By the third century, the pilum, the iconic Roman javelin,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46had disappeared from a legionary's kit,
0:30:46 > 0:30:50and been replaced by this throwing dart known as a plumbata.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56Compared to the more heavily armoured armies at the height of Rome's power,
0:30:56 > 0:30:58the late Roman army was unrecognisable.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02Their kit and equipment was lighter and they had become a more agile
0:31:02 > 0:31:04and mobile fighting force.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Nothing characterised this more than the plumbata.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09But what was the best way to throw it?
0:31:10 > 0:31:11Right, let's see.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16Reasonable accuracy.
0:31:16 > 0:31:17Yeah, but no range.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19This time, as a stick grenade.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20Righty-ho.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23It's probably a bit like axe-throwing.
0:31:23 > 0:31:24At this sort of range,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27you need to know how many turns it would need to execute before it hits.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Giving the plumbata enough height allows the lead to do its work
0:31:33 > 0:31:35and the head to strike home.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40It hangs for a moment and then it rights itself and comes down point first.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42And it's out of vision as well.
0:31:42 > 0:31:43You're thundering forward.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45- You don't expect it to rain from the sky.- Absolutely.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47They are nasty. Very effective.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Like it a lot.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52The plumbata was an ingenious weapon which gave Roman infantry useful
0:31:52 > 0:31:55options for fighting at range, both in defence and attack.
0:32:02 > 0:32:08So the Romans have sophisticated weapons and the Huns have expert horse archers.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09Both are deadly.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12Before battle commences,
0:32:12 > 0:32:15the teams have the chance to do some vital reconnaissance.
0:32:16 > 0:32:17Right, guys.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Now, learn about your troops now.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22Get a good view of what it is you're controlling.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27The Romans' key strength is their artillery,
0:32:27 > 0:32:31but they also have infantry and heavy cavalry.
0:32:31 > 0:32:32And they are not all Roman.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37Now, Romans go into this fight with a lot of barbarian tribes.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41What is a barbarian? Someone who doesn't speak Latin or Greek.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45And these tribes are excellent fighters,
0:32:45 > 0:32:50and they're fighting in return for land for their wandering people.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55You have got the Visigoths under King Theodoric and his son Thorismund.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58All these wonderful characters.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03For Aetius, the Visigothic cavalry are the best units he has to take on
0:33:03 > 0:33:05the Hunnic horse archers.
0:33:05 > 0:33:06So horses means they are cavalry.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10Axes mean they are men standing there with axes,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12and the bow and arrow means they are archers.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Here's the plumbata troops.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17So they are potentially going to be key.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21Those plumbata against cavalry, thrown up in the air,
0:33:21 > 0:33:25and it's just a rainstorm of barbed shafts.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29- You can see their horses. - The horses, yeah, cavalry, cavalry.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- Brilliant.- So we want to keep some in reserve and some go in, but...
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Fine. And can I ask you what these are here?
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Artillery. And, then, these are the slingshots.
0:33:37 > 0:33:38General, I think you may have it.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Are you comfortable about communication?
0:33:43 > 0:33:44Um...
0:33:45 > 0:33:47It's hard to say, really.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52I mean, obviously, the general's going to be controlling the communication.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55And I'll just have to take what she gives me.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57You've got Romans, you've got Visigoths.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02The Romans at least know what troops they've got this time,
0:34:02 > 0:34:04but what about their enemies?
0:34:04 > 0:34:08The Huns have their swift, highly skilled horse archers.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12They also have infantry and some sword-wielding cavalry.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17The lines of communication, you've got some ideas about that, have you?
0:34:17 > 0:34:19I think we're good on that.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21I think, also, the other thing is, as well,
0:34:21 > 0:34:24inevitably, there's probably going to be some degree of autonomy once you get going.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26- Sure.- But, at the same time, too,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30that's not such a bad thing with a mobile force because you can keep it moving and the initiative going.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32I think the other thing as well is,
0:34:32 > 0:34:34as we are doing our thing down there, it's good to report back.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37We'll actually say what we're doing to somebody who's got an idea what
0:34:37 > 0:34:39we're doing rather than us doing what we think is right,
0:34:39 > 0:34:43what we think we've heard but not actually communicating back that orders
0:34:43 > 0:34:44have been received and actually actioned.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48They really have to understand the land they are going to be crossing.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51They've got to understand the ground and they've got to understand who's
0:34:51 > 0:34:53going to try to stop them.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58Teams, now you get a chance to recce your enemy's position, all right?
0:34:58 > 0:35:03Send some scouts out there, have a look, see what you can find out.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07Obviously, if you get close, you may well get shot at.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10Go and have a look, see what you can find out.
0:35:10 > 0:35:11Can you take some cavalry?
0:35:11 > 0:35:16- Chris, we want to move our scouts up to the...- A small group of cavalry over...- All right, OK.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19OK, Mac, what are you...?
0:35:19 > 0:35:20I'm not doing anything. I'm going to keep my...
0:35:20 > 0:35:23You're going to hold there, OK. Right, we'll get Joe to scout out, then.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I'm moving my scouts into the left side of the tree line.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30It looks like the enemy scouts are trying to come in.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Are the Hunnic scouts looking for squirrels?
0:35:34 > 0:35:37There must be a reason you're in those trees, right?
0:35:38 > 0:35:43The Hunnish cavalry now have an appreciation of where that high ground is,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46where the ridge is that they're going to have to fight for.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48The Huns don't hide.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49Huns are big and tough.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52- They are small and tough. - Small and tough.
0:35:52 > 0:35:53Like our mate here.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Now, behind, behind the...
0:35:56 > 0:35:59that clump of trees is the...
0:35:59 > 0:36:00is some Huns.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05Right, OK, we've got Roman scouts and Hun scouts hiding in the trees.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Go a bit further and take them on.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12- Really?- Yes.- Whoa! - Let's have a skirmish.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17Send a message to their general, "Don't mess with the Romans."
0:36:17 > 0:36:20She's completely obsessed with one little scouting party.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22She's not looking at the big picture.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26- 20 seconds more of observing. - Right, going now.
0:36:26 > 0:36:27To the right. No, to the right.
0:36:27 > 0:36:28I want them out of the way.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30To the right, please. To the right.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32We can see where they...
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Keep going straight down.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Right, that's it, that's it, that's the end of the scouting.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43- That's it.- I think both Time Commanders wasted that scouting time.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48I would love to have asked them, "What three troop types and positions did you find?"
0:36:48 > 0:36:52and I don't think either of them could get more than one or
0:36:52 > 0:36:53two that they identified.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59Things are going to get harder now for both you generals because you have
0:36:59 > 0:37:02to control both of your captains.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04OK.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07But if you need it, you can call for a time-out whenever you want,
0:37:07 > 0:37:11and that's a chance to get your captains together and get the advice of the experts.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15But you can only do this once during the battle, all right?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18So make sure you call your time-out wisely.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25The Kickboxers and Karate Vets both claimed victory in their skirmishes.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28Now the enemies will face each other in battle.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32With important territory to gain, as Huns and Romans,
0:37:32 > 0:37:36they've got everything to play for.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Can Aetius and his coalition Roman army stop the tide of Attila?
0:37:40 > 0:37:45Or will the Huns completely overrun the whole Roman Empire?
0:37:45 > 0:37:49It's June, 451 CE all over again.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53Time to refight the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54Oh, yes!
0:37:57 > 0:38:01There is woods on the left. We might be able to move our infantry into the left, so they don't get shot at.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04- Right, OK.- And then we can move the horses around as we want, maybe.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Right, OK. Just keep everything with Mac. Keep with the plan and go for the hill.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Yeah, tell me your overall strategy, please, Attila.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13So we're basically looking at moving...
0:38:14 > 0:38:16..the foot-mounted units onto the hill to take the hill.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- Foot-mounted units? - Sorry, the foot-mounted units.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21The foot units onto the hill to take the hill.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Because we feel like the spear troops and the archers will be able to put
0:38:24 > 0:38:28a big - a good base down basically to stop the enemy from taking that.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30And the cavalry are screening them at the moment.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32The cavalry are screening, so they're going to be -
0:38:32 > 0:38:35the mobile archers are going to be doing slashing attacks and harassing them.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38And we're going to get the other cavalry to deal with the artillery
0:38:38 > 0:38:41- cos I think they're going to steam-roll them, to be honest. - Are you?
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Hun general, Chris, is Attila,
0:38:43 > 0:38:45and he's got infantry captain Mac
0:38:45 > 0:38:48sending his forces straight for the hill in front of them.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53He's also splitting his cavalry, controlled by Joe, into two flanks,
0:38:53 > 0:38:56each a mix of horse archers and swordsmen.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00They'll protect his infantry from both sides.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Those Hun horsemen are going quite slowly because they're protecting your foot troops.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07- Is that right? Is that right? - They shouldn't be, they should be going flat-out in there.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11Our Hunnish commanders are being so slow.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Don't they know it's a race?
0:39:13 > 0:39:17All right. OK, well why don't you move them up?
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Joe, can we get the cavalry going a bit more flat-out?
0:39:20 > 0:39:24The Huns are giving the Romans the chance to steal a march.
0:39:24 > 0:39:25But are they taking it?
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Aetius.
0:39:27 > 0:39:33We'll keep the three back units of cavalry back and take two forward to engage,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36to slow them down, so that we get towards the hill.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38What are your overall plans, General?
0:39:38 > 0:39:42Overall plans is to guard that hill.
0:39:42 > 0:39:43To protect that hill.
0:39:43 > 0:39:49So I want the whole army to move towards the hill and then spread out
0:39:49 > 0:39:51to protect the hill.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54So you've got the army at the moment moving up to the hill.
0:39:54 > 0:39:55Yes, moving up to the hill.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57What are these cavalry over here doing?
0:39:57 > 0:39:59I want them to go forward and engage.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04So Roman general Chris is Aetius,
0:40:04 > 0:40:09moving her infantry and artillery, controlled by Laney, towards the hill,
0:40:09 > 0:40:11ahead to their left.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13But it leaves them unsupported.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17Because she wants her allies, the Visigothic cavalry,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20led by King Theodoric and his son, Thorismund,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23to fight the Huns who are coming in from their right.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Alan is in charge of these forces.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Clearly, the Visigothic cavalry are not going to be great on the hill
0:40:29 > 0:40:34but they are going to be great if they can entice the Huns to try and take
0:40:34 > 0:40:38that hill, sweep round and smack them in the flanks.
0:40:38 > 0:40:39Let's see what happens.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43There's a group there and I want you to engage them,
0:40:43 > 0:40:45because they're going for the hill.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49They are going towards the hill, so I want the cavalry going,
0:40:49 > 0:40:50engaging there.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Alan, I want yours to go in and engage.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- Alan, listen. Alan, listen. - Alan, I want yours to go forward and engage...
0:41:01 > 0:41:04..the group that's on the right-hand side.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06- This right-hand side, you're talking about?- Yes.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- Or is it them lot?- Engage... - OK, stop, turn them round.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15The Roman infantry and artillery are still advancing slowly upwards
0:41:15 > 0:41:17towards the hill.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20But their Visigothic cavalry are about to clash with
0:41:20 > 0:41:22the Huns in the woods to their right.
0:41:24 > 0:41:30Because they are going up against these excellent, fast horse archers,
0:41:30 > 0:41:34they've got to make sure that they hit them with something that's really going to give them a whack.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Oh, yeah. The Huns don't respond well to tickling.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40- You've got to really get in there and thump them.- Absolutely right.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42The fight has begun.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45You've got a battle going on in those woods, Alan.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47You've got a battle going on in those woods.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52The Romans are seeing what their Visigothic allies are made of,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55but they still don't have any artillery on the hill.
0:41:55 > 0:42:01And the Huns are determined to win the woodland cavalry battle on their left wing.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03How are your cavalry units looking?
0:42:03 > 0:42:07We've got them pinned on either side and I'm moving the horse archers around to shoot them in the back.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- Chris, I'm moving my field men to come and join you there.- Good stuff.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Huge cavalry battle in the woods on the left bank.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17While the battle continues in the woods,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20another massive fight has started beneath the hill.
0:42:21 > 0:42:26The right flank of the Hunnish cavalry are now closing in on the Roman artillery.
0:42:27 > 0:42:32And the Romans have had to send more cavalry to defend their siege equipment.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39OK, the cavalry battle on the right-hand side is not going too badly at all, it seems.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Joe, there's an enemy cavalry unit sitting in the middle and it looks
0:42:42 > 0:42:44like your cavalry on the right are moving away from them.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Can you get them back in?
0:42:46 > 0:42:49- Yeah, they are on fire at will. - OK, great stuff.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52So you've got two cavalry battles going on,
0:42:52 > 0:42:54different sides of the battlefield, right?
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Yeah, it's all very, very confusing.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- It is, isn't it?- Charge these round the back into these.
0:43:02 > 0:43:08Finally, the Hunnish cavalry are starting to use their mobility as an advantage.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12So, while captain Joe directs both cavalry battles,
0:43:12 > 0:43:16infantry captain Mac is sending two of his units, armed with spears,
0:43:16 > 0:43:17straight for the woods,
0:43:17 > 0:43:22where the cavalry battle against the Visigoths is in full swing.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25OK, Mac, you've got the spearmen going towards the cavalry. That's cool.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27And keep the foot units moving up to the right like that.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33Joe, you've got three cavalry units on the left doing nothing, sitting in the woods.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37- We need to get them into that main battle.- They are all shooting at them.- OK, cool.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40The Huns are annihilating their enemy on the edge of the woods.
0:43:40 > 0:43:45And then deal the Romans and their allies a crushing blow -
0:43:45 > 0:43:47killing horse commander Thorismund.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50The Prince of the Visigoths is dead.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54Romans, you want a time-out?
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- Yes, time-out.- Time-out. Time-out here on the Romans.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02With one of their commanders dead on the field,
0:44:02 > 0:44:06their cavalry under attack and their artillery in danger of being wiped
0:44:06 > 0:44:08out before it's even fired a shot,
0:44:08 > 0:44:11I think Chris and her Romans need some expert help.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13Right, what do you want to find out?
0:44:13 > 0:44:15What do you want to know?
0:44:15 > 0:44:19Well, we're a little bit spread out at the moment,
0:44:19 > 0:44:22so we're pretty well scattered.
0:44:22 > 0:44:26What I want to try and do is try and bring the army forward,
0:44:26 > 0:44:30because the artillery, we're moving too slowly into it.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33And the horsemen, of course, are a lot faster.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35Who's in charge of your horsemen?
0:44:35 > 0:44:37Well, we've got a split.
0:44:37 > 0:44:38We've got two horsemen.
0:44:38 > 0:44:39I knew where I was.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42You've lost your commander.
0:44:42 > 0:44:47The Visigothic horse commander is dead, so that's not good.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49- Yes.- So far, you're getting upset about your artillery.
0:44:49 > 0:44:51So far, you're fighting just a cavalry battle,
0:44:51 > 0:44:53and the cavalry battle's going wrong.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56What are you going to do with the rest of your troops?
0:44:56 > 0:45:00Thorismund, who is commanding all of your Gothic cavalry,
0:45:00 > 0:45:03is being borne off the field by his family members,
0:45:03 > 0:45:05who are singing a sad song.
0:45:05 > 0:45:10You need to get everything on this field mutually supporting rather
0:45:10 > 0:45:12than standing around doing nothing, which is what they're doing now.
0:45:12 > 0:45:18So, basically, given your expert advice, what is it you want them to do?
0:45:18 > 0:45:22I think you lose this obsession of getting your artillery on the hill.
0:45:22 > 0:45:26You should have had it there by now, but you haven't got it there by now.
0:45:26 > 0:45:30You've got a battle to fight and you've got to get your troops together to fight that.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34Right, I think the basic advice there is, "Don't worry about the hill, get everybody together."
0:45:34 > 0:45:35Let's get it back in play.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41Aetius and the Romans are in trouble but they could still emerge victorious.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45Their main challenge is getting their units into any sort of order,
0:45:45 > 0:45:47and the Huns are still on the move.
0:45:48 > 0:45:53Alan, all the rest of your troops, I want all this lot to engage,
0:45:53 > 0:45:57to go forward towards the Hun on your...
0:45:57 > 0:45:59on your right-hand side.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01See the Hun in the centre...
0:46:01 > 0:46:05towards the right, I want you to take your army towards them.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07Can you all move towards it, there?
0:46:07 > 0:46:09- That's it.- Can you see the cavalry?
0:46:10 > 0:46:12They are flanking you.
0:46:12 > 0:46:16The Huns are creeping around behind the Romans.
0:46:16 > 0:46:20They are creeping around behind the hill and it's entirely possible that
0:46:20 > 0:46:24they will be able to encircle and destroy the Roman force.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27They are flanking you, so I want you to go over.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31What about using your artillery?
0:46:31 > 0:46:32Let's get the artillery in.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34Right, let's get the artillery in.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36And let's start using the artillery.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42The slow-moving Roman artillery has made it as far as the foot of
0:46:42 > 0:46:44the hill and is starting to fire.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47It's not the best vantage point to deploy their weapons but they have
0:46:47 > 0:46:48little choice.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55Right, we'll get the other melee units up from behind them.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58There's another melee unit sitting there doing nothing. Can you get them up supporting them?
0:46:58 > 0:47:02- Yes.- Yeah, we don't want to get separated out too much, we're taking a risk.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05This is going to be really timing sensitive.
0:47:06 > 0:47:10The Huns have got to put their attack in and then get out of the way
0:47:10 > 0:47:12before they can be smashed to bits.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14What are they doing? Those three units of horse?
0:47:14 > 0:47:17Joe, there's three units of horsemen doing nothing that could be
0:47:17 > 0:47:21- supporting over on the right-hand side.- You're being pushed back on the right-hand side here now.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24- Time-out.- Time-out here. Time-out.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29Now it's Chris and the Huns who need some thinking time.
0:47:29 > 0:47:34Their right flank is being pushed out and away by the Roman cavalry.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36They are being threatened by the Roman artillery,
0:47:36 > 0:47:39and the Visigoths in the woods are still putting up a fight.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41What's bothering you?
0:47:41 > 0:47:42What can you see? What do you need?
0:47:42 > 0:47:46Right, so we had an initial plan to try and get there and everything is changed now.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48So I want to secure this flank, basically,
0:47:48 > 0:47:51because I feel like we're going to get separated there and destroyed piecemeal.
0:47:51 > 0:47:53What does secure the flank mean?
0:47:53 > 0:47:57Essentially, make it so I feel like our biggest threat to our cavalry is
0:47:57 > 0:47:59going to be their mounted cavalry, as well.
0:47:59 > 0:48:04And we can't mount a good offence against their artillery without a decent cavalry charge.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06So we need to secure that so we can charge them.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10These artillery pieces here are now undefended,
0:48:10 > 0:48:12so we can bring these through.
0:48:12 > 0:48:17And then, for here, I can still slow them down with the horse archers,
0:48:17 > 0:48:19maybe bring them back together, because we are isolated.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22And they are probably going to win cos they've got more infantry.
0:48:22 > 0:48:24Do you want some help? You sound like you've got a plan.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27Just voicing ideas.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30They just wanted time-out to chat. They just wanted to pause the game.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32- Nothing wrong with that. - Nothing wrong with that at all.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35- Where's your infantry? - The infantry's just here.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38I think we're waiting for the horses to come in and attack that, so we can push the infantry.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41- OK, we've only got a little bit of time.- You've got 30 seconds.
0:48:41 > 0:48:43You haven't used your experts. That's your call.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45You seem to know what you're doing. Have you now got a plan?
0:48:45 > 0:48:48- I think so.- Could you quickly tell each other? General, tell them what the plan is.
0:48:48 > 0:48:50- So that we know!- Right, then, guys.
0:48:50 > 0:48:55So this horse unit in here over into the artillery. Grab the artillery.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58That will give these guys the opening to move in and start attacking this
0:48:58 > 0:49:01side of the force over here. And then I want this side, basically, flanking
0:49:01 > 0:49:03and harassing over here.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06If we engage with the infantry, they're going to die, so we either bring them back -
0:49:06 > 0:49:09I can bring the horse archers forward to slow them down.
0:49:09 > 0:49:10And I'll try and sort this out.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13Right, right, OK. Experts, brilliant input.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15- Weren't we good?- Brilliant input.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17Fantastic.
0:49:17 > 0:49:18You used the experts as a windbreak.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21Fantastic. Brilliant. Let's go.
0:49:21 > 0:49:25Attila and his captains plan to bring their forces together
0:49:25 > 0:49:30and take out Aetius' artillery before it can make a real impact on them.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32Can they press home their advantage?
0:49:32 > 0:49:34Why are you so concerned about that artillery?
0:49:34 > 0:49:38It's going to absolutely annihilate our infantry if it gets them stuck there.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40And our infantry's doing absolutely nothing over here,
0:49:40 > 0:49:43whereas they could be going through and wrecking this entire battle.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46Joe, we've got an engagement going on on the right between your cavalry guys.
0:49:46 > 0:49:49Get the other two cavalry units that are doing nothing and support them.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51They are shooting, Chris. They are doing it.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54They are obsessed with just using horse archers.
0:49:54 > 0:49:55They are versatile, they're terrific,
0:49:55 > 0:49:59but the infantry are the ones who will actually hammer it home.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02They called a time-out and didn't ask you a single thing.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04That's all right. They're going on there own steam.
0:50:04 > 0:50:09I think that's great. And I think it's really important to note that
0:50:09 > 0:50:12what they are planning to do is start to move their combat power together,
0:50:12 > 0:50:15which is going to make it more mutually supporting,
0:50:15 > 0:50:18which is going to help them hold that ground if they can get it.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20- You heard their plan.- I like it. - Do you like their plan?
0:50:20 > 0:50:23I do. I think they're on the right track.
0:50:23 > 0:50:27The Huns' right flank is charging towards the Roman artillery,
0:50:27 > 0:50:31including the cheiroballistras which have barely fired a shot.
0:50:32 > 0:50:37Can we get a cavalry shot on the left-hand side? Cos you've got these axe guys and sword guys coming down.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39OK. I don't have any heavy horse, though.
0:50:39 > 0:50:44- I'll walk around the side.- Yeah, you need to do it because otherwise we are wasting time discussing it.- OK.
0:50:44 > 0:50:48The Roman artillery is being systematically destroyed
0:50:48 > 0:50:51before it even got properly up and running.
0:50:53 > 0:50:54Your artillery is gone.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56The Huns are all over it.
0:50:56 > 0:51:02The Roman artillery has been taken out by that well-handled Hunnish cavalry.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05They should have got that artillery up there in the first few minutes.
0:51:05 > 0:51:08You've got loads of units here not doing a thing.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10Yeah, let's get them moving.
0:51:10 > 0:51:12Elaine, these are your soldiers here.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14- Get them in.- Can we get them in?
0:51:14 > 0:51:18Wow! You've got Huns charging all over the place.
0:51:18 > 0:51:20Elaine, this one here.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23Elaine, keep an eye on the swordsmen.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25The swordsmen are about to be swamped.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27Can we get the swordsmen in?
0:51:27 > 0:51:28Take the swordsmen.
0:51:28 > 0:51:32- Move them. - We have got Huns on the rampage.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35This is all-out war.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38The Roman artillery has been picked off by the Huns.
0:51:38 > 0:51:42Their cavalry is being destroyed in the woods.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45And, now, Roman general Aetius isn't just fighting for territory,
0:51:45 > 0:51:49he's fighting for his life, protected only by his infantry,
0:51:49 > 0:51:52armed with plumbata and swords.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01Elaine, take the swordsmen in now to the battle.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04- Look at this.- Into the battle. - Engage quickly.- Look at that.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08I'll tell you what, it was supposed to be like a cavalry battle.
0:52:08 > 0:52:13Now, nearly every bit of enemy foot soldiers are engaged, aren't they?
0:52:13 > 0:52:15Yes, let's get them, let's keep them...
0:52:16 > 0:52:18- Keep them going. - You so want this hill.
0:52:18 > 0:52:19You're still fighting for this hill.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21We're going to get it. We're going to get the hill.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23Finally, the infantry are on the hill.
0:52:26 > 0:52:32The Romans are trying to fight uphill because the Huns took that piece of ground first.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34Joe, what's going on on your side?
0:52:34 > 0:52:38We're trying to kill the general and then we're going to charge the infantry in the back.
0:52:38 > 0:52:39Good stuff.
0:52:40 > 0:52:41Kill him.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46Attila's Huns have found Roman general Aetius.
0:52:46 > 0:52:48It's checkmate.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52A Roman general has died.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56They called Aetius the last of the Romans,
0:52:56 > 0:53:00because he was the last great Roman field commander.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03It's very sad for the Romans. Of course, it's great for everyone else.
0:53:03 > 0:53:08With General Flavius Aetius and horse commander Thorismund both slain,
0:53:08 > 0:53:11the remaining Romans and Visigoths are in crisis.
0:53:13 > 0:53:14Has Alan got any troops left?
0:53:14 > 0:53:17He hasn't got many. Alan, you've got one lot of cavalry.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19I need that in, I need that engaged.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22- Bring them up where, Alan? - Up to there, and that one up.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25- Where are they?- All right.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28There's more Huns tearing in. There's more Huns tearing in.
0:53:32 > 0:53:36The Huns are giving them a thrashing but the dogged Romans are refusing to give up.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40We've got cavalry everywhere.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45You want a Roman sandwich on Hun bread.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48Look at that. The Romans... What's this? Is this Romans coming back down?
0:53:48 > 0:53:51Mac, you've got Romans flanking to the right.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55Can you see this Roman cavalry bearing down on you?
0:53:55 > 0:53:57Yes, I can.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00- Can you?- Yeah, can we get those archers to chase that unit off,
0:54:00 > 0:54:03come back in and deal with what's going on on that hill?
0:54:03 > 0:54:06The Huns are just taking the Romans to pieces.
0:54:06 > 0:54:07Who is this coming up the hill now?
0:54:07 > 0:54:10- It's more Huns.- Is that more Huns?
0:54:12 > 0:54:13Oh, my goodness.
0:54:15 > 0:54:16Wow!
0:54:18 > 0:54:20Still engaging there. That's good, good pressure.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24Are you shooting arrows, or are you engaging them with knives and clubs?
0:54:24 > 0:54:27I'm doing both. I'm doing both at the same time.
0:54:27 > 0:54:28The Huns are fighters.
0:54:28 > 0:54:30They just happen to also be horse archers,
0:54:30 > 0:54:35but they can get into this close combat melee, finishing-it-off situation,
0:54:35 > 0:54:38and really mix it up with those few Visigoths that are left.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41There's only a few units left. Straighten these out.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44- Shoot these bad boys.- We can get the rest of the force around and crush them.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47- Keep moving those archers. Keep them mobile.- There's very little Romans left.
0:54:47 > 0:54:51OK, Joe, move everything else you've got and just crush that unit there that's going in.
0:54:52 > 0:54:56Time's running out for the Romans and their remaining Visigoth allies.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59The Huns are determined to finish them off.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02Circle and squash.
0:55:07 > 0:55:09Oh, right, we're finished.
0:55:10 > 0:55:11Oh.
0:55:14 > 0:55:15Woo!
0:55:16 > 0:55:18- Done.- Done!- Thank you.
0:55:20 > 0:55:25It's game over for the valiant Romans, but victory for the heroic Huns,
0:55:25 > 0:55:29who saw off their enemy in a blistering and co-ordinated attack.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36Wow! What can we say?
0:55:36 > 0:55:40Well done, Kickboxers and Huns.
0:55:40 > 0:55:45Commiserations, Karate Experts and Romans.
0:55:45 > 0:55:46What went wrong?
0:55:46 > 0:55:51I think we didn't really use the artillery, did we?
0:55:51 > 0:55:53No, we didn't use the artillery.
0:55:53 > 0:55:54We should have started using the artillery.
0:55:54 > 0:55:58The artillery is the only thing we've got - a really strong weapon against
0:55:58 > 0:56:00the horses, and we didn't do that.
0:56:00 > 0:56:04We did move the artillery, but kind of forgot about them when we started
0:56:04 > 0:56:07- engaging in the battle, so... - Cos you had a race to win.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09You had a race to get that artillery on the hill,
0:56:09 > 0:56:12and if you didn't get it on the hill in time, you've lost that race.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15And you were on the back foot all after that.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17Do you know who, actually, historically, won that battle?
0:56:18 > 0:56:20I think the Romans did.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23- The Romans did.- Oh, did they?- I'm only guessing. I'm only guessing.
0:56:23 > 0:56:24The Romans did.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27So you actually rewrote history, Huns.
0:56:27 > 0:56:28Wow!
0:56:28 > 0:56:32What do you think you did? What was it that clinched it?
0:56:32 > 0:56:35I noticed at the start that a couple of units were coming in to charge us,
0:56:35 > 0:56:37and most of our entire force was coming forward.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40And then, I suppose once we took out the artillery,
0:56:40 > 0:56:42it was all just a bit of a nightmare on that hill.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46It became a bit of a mess, and we just sandwiched them and it just went well from there.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49- Killing the commander was pretty good, as well.- Captains, what was it like on the ground?
0:56:49 > 0:56:52I knew having an infantry would have to be a game of patience.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55So as soon as I saw the horsemen engage the artillery and we basically
0:56:55 > 0:56:59marched full steam ahead and just went in and tried to take out as many units as we could.
0:56:59 > 0:57:04These Commanders had a means of command and control that worked really well.
0:57:04 > 0:57:09We had a general who was willing to let his subordinates get on with their jobs.
0:57:09 > 0:57:10He kept his eye on the big picture.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13He didn't lose track of what his people were doing.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17And as a result, they rode roughshod over their enemy.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20Well, that was our Time Commanders battle, but, historically,
0:57:20 > 0:57:21what actually happened?
0:57:21 > 0:57:26Well, the Romans did manage to get the ridge.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29So they did get their artillery up there.
0:57:29 > 0:57:34The Huns smashed their way into the middle of the Romans and their allies,
0:57:34 > 0:57:40and once they did, they discovered that they were surrounded by the Romans and their allies.
0:57:40 > 0:57:44And as a result, the Huns got absolutely mullered.
0:57:44 > 0:57:50They gave up their advantage of mobility and, as a result, they were trapped
0:57:50 > 0:57:53and the Romans kicked them up and down the field,
0:57:53 > 0:57:55gave them a serious shoeing.
0:57:55 > 0:58:00And at the end of the day, Attila the Hun got a big hump on,
0:58:00 > 0:58:02went back to his camp,
0:58:02 > 0:58:06built a big fire and said he was going to throw himself on it
0:58:06 > 0:58:10because he was so embarrassed at losing to the Romans.
0:58:11 > 0:58:13Well, there you have it, folks,
0:58:13 > 0:58:16the last great battle of the Western Roman Empire,
0:58:16 > 0:58:19and the day that Attila the Hun got his comeuppance.
0:58:19 > 0:58:22But not in our battle. Thanks to both of our teams.
0:58:22 > 0:58:24Thanks for playing Time Commanders.