For the next crusades game I decided that we would re-enact
the battle of Dorylaeum from the first crusade in 1097 AD.
This is very interesting scenario, which presents tactical
problems to both sides. The Crusaders were marching in three contingents, the
first of which was attacked by overwhelming numbers of Saracens, the second two
contingents came up in support and the Saracens were eventually defeated.
As before we used the Neil Thomas rules but I have tweaked
the army lists from the last game.
The lead contingent of crusaders under Bohemond consisted of
four units, two of men at arms and two of Knights. These were surrounded by
overwhelming numbers of Saracens both horse and foot. The relief force started
at the far end of the table, the cavalry in front and the foot behind.
The game started with the Saracens trying to whittle down
the surrounded crusaders by missile fire, however when this had little impact they
charged in and the Crusaders were soon surrounded by an absolute sea of
Saracens.
The cavalry contingent of the relief force charged off ahead
of the infantry, desperate to come to sword strokes and relieve their
beleaguered brethren. The Saracen general detailed his cavalry to intercept.
A mighty struggle between the two cavalry contingents now
ensued, with The Crusaders having the upper hand but not able to break through.
In fact the swirling cavalry melee blocked most of the relieving crusader
infantry from coming forward. The exception was some light troops on either
flank who made their way past the cavalry melee to try to relieve Bohemond’s
troops.
This turned out to be a really bad idea, as the light troops
were promptly blocked and wiped out by Saracen infantry.
The unit of peasants was annihilated without inflicting a
single casualty!
Meanwhile Bohemond’s contingent were on a very sticky wicket
as we say in England. The men at arms had all fallen, and only knights were
left standing. However the Templar Knights revelled in the face of overwhelming
odds and with loud cries of “Deus Vult” cut down any Saracen unwise enough to
come too close.
By now the cavalry of the relief force had defeated their opponents
and the way was clear for them to sweep through with knight Templar infantry
support to relieve the first contingent which from a starting strength of 16
bases had now been reduced to three.
However this came too late. A count of bases last showed
that both sides had now lost over 50% of their bases and were technically
broken. The Crusaders had had exceeded the 50% margin by more than the Saracens
and therefore the game was judged to be a draw with the advantage to the
Saracens.
It had been a tremendously exciting game and right up to the
end it wasn't clear which side was going to win.
In summary the Saracen general did everything right and the
crusader general – me - did everything wrong.
The Saracen general used his cavalry to block the relieving
crusader forces which meant that much of the crusader army never even made it
into contact, and as he was able to take advantage of his numbers to overwhelm
crusader units.
The crusader general however played the game very
historically.
The headlong charge of the crusader cavalry without waiting
for the infantry is typical of many battles of the period. Often this tactic
worked, just as often it fell disastrously.
Overall it was an excellent game and we are looking forward
to the next game which is likely to be the battle of Antioch.
