The Roman Reconquest of Vandal Africa : Strategy, Operations and Tactics

In pursuit of his expansionist (or at least revanchist) ambitions, the East Roman (Byzantine) Emperor Justinian I sent a relatively modest force of around 18,000 troops to overthrow the kingdom of the Vandals, long since ensconced in the former Roman province.The Vandals had proved formidable regional power, having defeated previous imperial attempts at reconquest and having sent pillaging raids far and wide across the Mediterrnean, even to Rome itself.Yet under Justinian’s commander Belisarius, the Roman expedition achieved complete strategic surprise and within just three months defeated the Vandals twice in battle, captured their king and recovered the province for the Empire. Combining his academic training with his experience as an reserve officer in the Italian Army, Adriano A.E. Cagliani applies the principles of modern military doctrine to produce a fresh analysis of this famous campaign at the strategic, operational and tactical level.He discusses the campaign from its conception and planning, the intelligence gathering and use of diversions to prepare the way, through to the landing itself and the tactical execution of the battles.He outlines the inherent risks of the strategy, the strengths and weaknesses of the combatants and the reasons for success.