Aleppo Province, 1320
“Captain Jan, I want you to sit this one out.”
“My Kaiser, why? Is this some punishment for what happened in Rome – I have explained…”
“No, listen – I have put out a call an open call to all honourable men left in Outremer. I have proclaimed the need of Christendom and stated that the good people here stand in dire peril. I hope to rally ex-Crusaders to our cause. As a Captain of the Teutonic Order, I want you to take charge of the recruits and whip them into shape.”
“But Kaiser – the recruits will be experienced fighters, I am sure I can get them organised in time to join you in your attack on Strategos Nikolaos.”
“Maybe, but Nikolaos has only a small force – he will surely withdraw rather than give battle to a large army. No – you stay; I’ll challenge him with the men I have now. We can re-unite afterwards if all goes according to plan.”
“As you command, Kaiser.”
*****
“All right, Kachig – what do we know about Nikolaos’s men?”
“A ragtag force. But it includes several war machines. I would not recommend trying to shoot it out.”
“Too @#$%ing right.” swore Elberhard, “I don’t want them frying me Arnolds.”
“Kaiser – if I may interject – a key strength of the Byzantines is their infantry.” said Sir Charles de Villiers, the veteran English warrior that Linyeve had introduced to Elberhard’s retinue. “They have something of the quality of the old Roman legionnaires. While our knights can match them, they will carve through our sergeants.”
“And we have only one regiment of knights.” sighed Elberhard, beginning to regret leaving Captain Jan and his re-enlisted crusaders behind. “So we hit them with cavalry.”
“That will not be easy” interrupted Kachig. “Nikolaos’s own escort are the formidable kataphractoi and he has some lancers too.”
“All right.” Elberhard had heard enough. “This is the plan. Kachig, you deploy the infantry on this raised ground on the right in a defensive position. Loose order, to minimise losses to their war machines. Close up when the enemy get near. Put me Arnolds on the right flank, but keep ‘em safe. I’ll mass our cavalry on the left.”
“We’ll work our way round the enemy’s rear and take out Nikolaos, their cavalry and then their war machines. Kachig – the infantry will just have to hold until we can assist.”
“Of course, Sire, but try not to tarry.” said Kachig.
@#$% it, thought Elberhard, I’m taking orders from a @#$%ing Armenian mercenary now.
*****
The battle was fought at night and the darkness masked the flanking movement of the German cavalry. Elberhard aimed his large escort at the most powerful Byzantine unit – Nikolaos’s veteran kataphractoi bodyguard.
Gradually, Elberhard’s flanking force overwhelmed the outnumbered Byzantine cavalry and then overran their war machines.
The German anvil – their foot troops - was sorely pressed by the superior Byzantine infantry. However, the cavalry hammer arrived just in time to prevent excessive losses.
*****
After the battle, Linyeve advised Elberhard to try to ransom the prisoners.
“You need the money.” She said simply.
“Should I not follow King Jan’s example and release them?” said Elberhard.
“One King who is known as the merciful is quite enough.” said Linyeve emphatically and then she looked at Elberhard suggestively. “You are my champion and I want you to stay that way.”
Unfortunately for the Greek captives, however, the Byzantines were in no mood to fund their cash-starved enemies.
Re: Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM
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