11 BC · Westphalia Theater
11 BC
During his second German campaign, Drusus's cavalry detachment was ambushed by the Bructeri tribe in forested terrain near the modern Lippe River. The Germanic warriors funneled the Roman horsemen into a narrow defile, inflicting heavy casualties before the trap could be broken. Drusus personally led the main legionary column at a forced march to relieve the encircled cavalry. The Romans fought their way clear through disciplined infantry action, turning a near-disaster into a sobering tactical victory.
Commanders