I know the feeling having fough extended campaigns in the middle east. I was also playing England and crusading like no tomorrow, fighting all kinds of desert battles.


Some more on troop types:

-Turcopoles:
These guys do everything. As I was able to hold on into some provinces and establish small Christian kindoms there I churned out the local horsearchers, namely the Turcopoles. Just hold on into a province or two and build them. These are very good versus camels. After I got these guys I didn't have to worry about them damn camel riders anymore, I just went close with my faster horses and released volleys of arrows untill the targeted camel unit became a non factor. They might fire back though but hey, pick on the non archers ones first. When you are outta arrows, pull back to bring fresh in guys. Apparently there aren't any Muslem units that can catch Turcopoles either. Turcopoles also dispatch any enemy infantry archer units, and can run them over in melee. Stops them damn desert archers and whatnot from picking out your infantry and general. So fun I started using them on other fronts too.

-Mounted Sargeants:
Light cav which usually turns out to be as effective as knights since they can go on without too much wear from the heat. They really don't seem to mind. Very important to supplement the Turcopoles so you can use these two units (camel's still can't catch 'em) to mess up the AI formations and pick when and where you want to engage. Really good for running over units weakened by Turcopoles or for the last charge when you rout the enemy... He will lose most of his troops since these guys still aren't too tired to run over some routing Janissaries. Alan Mercs and Hobilars can perform the same role, Mountes Sgt's just seem the most solid. Spanish Jinettes if you can get them.

-Gallowglasses, Kerns and Highland clansmen:
Your shock infantry. Gallowglasses die in droves but also tear through the local infantry. Like paper. Rrrrrriiip. Kerns and Highland clansmen provide fodder, close range volleys and such.

Throw in some longbows, billmen and spearmen (CS's and CMA's just croak over from the heat, as do all knights, tho knighs and especially foot knights can execute a solid defence even in the sun) and eventually you will master the Turkish menace. Of course you'll need to do all the things previously mentioned like huge naval invasions that aim on pillaging etc.