Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM

[econ21]

Edessa, 1236, Part III

The battle settled into a war of attrition. When only three of Henry’s escort remained, Kurt prevailed on the Kaiser to withdraw and let the crusader sergeants take his place in the struggle for the central road to the city. Two regiments of Saracen militia made their way around the flanks of the Imperial main force. One was caught between the single regiment of dismounted feudal knights and Horst’s mounted sergeants, and destroyed. The other appeared as if from nowhere on the battlements on the west of the city. At first, Henry ordered the pavise crossbowmen manning the captured battlements to retreat but then he noticed they were holding their own against the Egyptians. Consequently, they were ordered to hold their ground while the dismounted knights puffed their way from the east and mounted the battlements behind the Saracens, surrounding and destroying them.

The battle was now swinging in favour of the Imperials. The five regiments of crossbowmen and archers were able to fire over the heads of the crusader sergeants into the Egyptians massing along the main city route. Although Horst’s cavalry group was almost eliminated, the western cavalry group was able to enter the city unopposed, butchering the remaining Egyptian artillery. Slowly, the Saracens blocking the entrance to the city centre were worn down, with the arrival of the German dismounted knights driving back the survivors.

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The Germans make their way to the centre of Edessa, but still facing four strong regiments of Saracen militia.

Kurt and Henry approach the final stage of the battle patiently, like hunters stalking a dangerous wounded prey. The modest number of Imperial foot was aligned in front of the enemy as a shield, while the crossbowmen and Armenian archers fired volleys over their heads into the remaining Saracen defenders. A larcenous German sergeant found Horst lying bleeding in a house off the main street and he was brought before Henry. Henry heard admiring of the chivalry of Captain Fathy. But the discussion was interrupted by a young rider from Horst’s mounted sergeants, who told in horror of how his regiment was being dismembered by an indestructible giant Mamluk.

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The indomitable Captain Fathy carves through the mounted sergeants (for the third time that day!).

Henry’s eyes lit up – his escort was all but eliminated and could play no sensible role in battling the hundreds of Saracen spearmen still stoutly defending the city centre. But he personally could ride to the aide of his sergeants.

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Henry seeks out Captain Fathy.

The slow moving barded Imperial horses were no match for the agility of Fathy’s Arabian mount and the Egyptian Captain effortlessly evaded Henry and his few surviving bodyguards. The brave Captain charged back into the mounted sergeants, like a fox running amok in a chicken coop. Finally, Henry and his men caught up with the enemy general. With a well judged blow, Kurt slew the fearsome Egyptian, who fell among the many German sergeants lying dead around him.

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Kurt Altman finally brings down the Henry seeks out the heroic Captain Fathy.

The noose around the neck of the brave Egyptian defenders was tightening ever further. The Teutonic and Feudal knights of the western cavalry group launched repeated charges on the rear and flanks of the Saracen militia holding the city centre. Henry himself charged bravely into the mass of enemy spears, as if heedless of the danger. The Egyptians fought on bravely, never routing or surrendering, but dying to a man.

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The Saracens are finally overwhelmed.

*****

Henry had lost a full third of his force, including Horst’s entire regiment of Teutons. The crusader and armoured sergeants were so depleted in number, they ceased to be effective combat units.

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The butcher’s bill (fought at 2:1 odds).

Henry ordered Kurt to estimate the enemy casualties – trying to ascertain how many were slain by archery, by cavalry or by the Imperial foot. As Henry expected, it was his three regiments of foot that had been most effective – accounting for 425 of the enemy losses. More than half of these were claimed by the single regiment of dismounted knights. The five regiments of cavalry – including Henry’s own, now eliminated, escort – had accounted for only 247 of the enemy casualties; while the five regiments of crossbowmen and archers claimed 175.

“Maybe I should propose a constitutional amendment that all siege forces include adequate numbers of foot.” Henry grumbled.

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Dismounted foot knights excel at urban combat.

Faced with the choice of what to do with the large city, Henry ordered it merely occupied. In recognition of Edessa’s brave fallen captain, the Imperial army was given stern instructions not to loot or massacre innocents.

After the battle, Athelwulf sought out Henry and presented him with a sacred relic discovered in the city – an icon not made by hands, sent from Jesus to heal the King of Edessa.

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A holy relic is discovered on occupying Edessa.

Mindful of the plague now raging in the Antioch, Henry gave thanks for this divine gift and then passed it to his son Elberhard for safekeeping. Together, father and son drove off the final two Egyptian armies from the province. The kingdom of Outremer was now complete.

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The butcher’s bill, addendum: battle fought at 20:9 odds