OOC: At one place that is true. I think we shouldn´t merge understrength legions. We should keep full strength legions and 2/3 strength legions at Central Gaul while reinforcing 1/3 strength legions in nearby provinces. I assume that the Gauls also have couple of tribal units with 1/2 strength and all of their units are stacked in one province. They cannot reinforce their troops fast enough to replace their losses.
Reinforcing a legion which is depleted to 1/3 strength will cost 50 denari. Merging legions would mean that we would spend 100 denari to build new legions to replaced the merged ones in the future. Also, we will spend lot of denaris to increase happiness in provinces where we will recruit new legions. We may lose legions in battles but we should not consider merging our legions. My suggestion is that the commanding general will use full strength legions to be the front line units at the battle while legions with 2/3 strength should be reserve units in that province and legions with 1/3 should be moved away to be reinforced.
I recommend that the commanding general will put this strategy in his orders as well. Also, the commanding general should make his own sacrifice to the Mars, the God of War to give him success in the battle.
OOC: I agree, I just wondered if it is an option in the rules.
As for "putting this strategy in orders" - Consider it done.
I'm unsure how much leeway I have to state things like that though. Can I affect the battle in this way?