Flaccus meanwhile decides to wait for the result of the war in Italy.

The Rhine legions not long before had been punished by Galba for their actions against the rebel Vindex of Gallia Lugdunensis.

Vespasian is winning the war and Civilis is helping him to become emperor by preventing at least the two legions besieged in Xanten, loyal to Vitellius, from coming to his rescue.

Flaccus and his commanders do not want to risk a second military gaffe and decide to wait for instructions.

Civilis continues the siege after the news of Vitellius' defeat arrives; he is fighting not for Vespasian but for Batavia.

Flaccus starts to prepare a counterattack to rescue the besieged legions.

Civilis is not going to wait until they were fully prepared and launches a surprise attack.

His best eight cavalry regiments in the evening of December 1 attack the Romans in Krefeld.

The Roman army wins the battle and destroys the Batavian cavalry, but their own losses are enormous.