Page 24 - History of War - Issue 05-14

JULIUS CAESAR

Caesar’s INVASIONS OF BRITAIN

During Caesar’s conquest of Gaul, Celts in south-eastern his boats anchored off Deal. Meanwhile, reconnaissance once his engineers had filled in the fort’s outer ditch and
Britain had been sending vital support across to their reports suggested that, while the land was rich with crops, constructed a ramp up to its walls, quickly captured it.
fellow tribesmen. In 55BC, Caesar set out to smash the there was also a large, bellicose population waiting for Before Caesar could capitalise, however, the British
link between the two countries. them. Without cavalry, Caesar decided to postpone the weather again thwarted him. Another storm in the Channel
Setting off from present-day Boulogne with two legions mission and, once his ships were repaired, returned to Gaul. wrecked or damaged most of his fleet. He sent his legions
totalling around 10,000 soldiers, he landed at Deal on The following year, he returned, this time with five back to the coast, where they spent the next ten days
the Kent coast. Here, after skirmishes with local Celtic legions and 2,000 cavalry. Again, he landed in Deal and building a fort around the beach, so that the ships could
warriors, he established a bridgehead, before sending immediately pushed inland. Faced with such a huge army, be repaired in safety. The Celts reorganised under the
reconnaissance units inland. As with many other would-be the Celts withdrew until they reached the Stour River leadership of a chief called Cassivellaunus, but were no
invaders, Caesar was to fall foul of the British weather. near Canterbury. Here, they made a futile stand and, match for the Roman war machine or its brilliant tactician.
Four days after he landed, a storm in the English Channel after being routed, retreated to a hill fort at Bigbury, two The Romans won another battle at the Stour River,
forced his cavalry to turn back and damaged many of miles to the west. Caesar followed them, laid siege and, before chasing the Celts all the way up to the Thames.

Mary Evans Kent coast in 55BC. However, this initial
Caesar and his legions arrive on the
attack was thwarted by the weather

24 HISTORY WAR
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