BattlefieldsMedway Battle — First Day Flanking at Snodland Ford
Roman Period

Medway Battle — First Day Flanking at Snodland Ford

43
Kent, England
Also known as: Medway 43 AD first phase · Hostilius Geta flanking crossing
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Catuvellauni war-chariot force
Forces
Catuvellauni chariots c. 1,000–2,000
VS
Victor
Romans (auxiliary Batavian cohorts)
Forces
Batavian auxiliaries c. 1,500–2,500
Outcome
Batavian auxiliaries swim Medway in armour and disable British chariot horses on the far bank
The Battle

History & Significance

Cassius Dio records that on the first day of the Medway battle, auxiliary troops — almost certainly the Batavians who were famed for swimming in armour — crossed upstream of the main British position and attacked the war-chariots' horses, rendering that arm useless. This flanking action was the decisive tactical move that allowed Hostilius Geta and Vespasian to press the main crossing.

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