111 3rd Ramla - 27 August 1105

Details
Written by: GMT Games
Category: Post-First Crusade
Hits: 541
Victory Results:
 67 %
Record a victory for BOTTOM ARMY  33 %
Total plays 3 - Last reported by ozzie on 2025-03-17 06:20:00

Historical Background

After the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 the Fatimid army of Egypt launched almost yearly attacks against the new Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Crusader army consisted of both cavalry and infantry (as it had in the 1101 Ramla victory) under the command of Baldwin I. At this third battle, Turkish mounted archers now reinforced the Egyptians army. The Crusaders knew all too well what these archers could do.
When battle was joined, the Fatimid force managed to withstand the initial Crusader charge and over the next few hours the Crusaders continued to attack the Fatimid battle line. The Turkish mounted archers attempted to outflank the Crusader line, a favorite tactic, but were turned back. Although Baldwin was once again able to drive the Egyptians from the field, he was unable to pursue them any further. Despite this victory the Egyptians continued to make annual attacks.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

War Council

Fatimid Army

• Leader: Sena al-Mulk
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Inspired Actions tokens

Leader Auxilia Bow Infantry Medium Infantry Light Cavalry Light Bow Cavalry Medium Cavalry Heavy Cavalry
4 4 5 3 3 3 2

Crusaders Army

• Leader: Baldwin I
• 5 Command Cards
• 4 Inspired Actions tokens
• Move First Move First

Leader Heavy Knight Cavalry Medium Infantry Light Bow Infantry Medium Crossbow Infantry Medium Cavalry Heavy Infantry Auxilia
3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1

Victory

7 Banners

Special Rules

  • The Relic rule is in effect for the Crusader player.
  • Some Light Cavalry are armed with bows. Use the proper bow and non-bow Light Cavalry blocks for these different units.
  • Light cavalry units in the Fatimid army may not feign retreat. The light bow cavalry units, being Turkish, may feign retreat.
  • The Fatimid Inspired Action Reference Sheet will be in effect for the entire Fatimid army even though some of the units are Turkish.

 

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Posts in discussion: 111 3rd Ramla - 27 August 1105
ozzie replied the topic:
#995
3 months 3 hours ago
Two 7-6 wins to the Fatimids.

Game 1 saw a Fatimid struggle with lots of misses in their shooting whereas the Crusaders were whittling down the Fatimids. Crossbowmen are, rightly, very effective. The Fatimids attempted to break the deadlock by an Infantry Onslaught sending in 4 units of spearmen in a headlong charge to victory..... Sixteen combat dice produced a staggering 4 hits on 3 Crusader units despite having a 50:50 chance of a hit on every dice rolled!  The following Crusader counterattacks saw 4 units of Fatimid medium infantry destroyed and things looked bleak.   The Crusader knights, scenting  victory, closed in for the kill. The Fatimid auxiliary bowmen, now the Fatimid frontline, earned their keep by scoring some shooting hits on the Crusader knights and the Fatimid heavy cavalry swept all before them in a Mounted Charge which was devastating. So much easier to ride down knights when they have lost a block or two. 

Game 2 saw the Fatimids start the game with an unexpected Infantry Onslaught that went more to plan, despite a Crusader heavy infantry playing a First Strike and wiping out a unit with 4 hits from 4 dice. The other 3 Fatimid medium infantry struck well with the leader's unit punching through and hitting the bearers of the Holy Relic. The Crusaders tried in vain to finish off the Fatimid medium infantry, eventually destroying the leader's unit. The retreating Fatimid leader joined an auxilia bow unit and risked all to give his leader combat bonus to the attacking Fatimid heavy and medium cavalry who destroyed the advancing Crusader heavy infantry and medium cavalry with charges and momentum advances. The "man-of-the-match" went to Fatimid light cavalry unit who charged in repeatedly from the left flank to finish off a Crusader light infantry unit, then a medium cavalry unit and then a one-block Knight unit plus its leader. True heroes of the Empire!

This is an excellent scenario!
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