Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM

[OverKnight]

The Third Battle of the Iron Bridge, 1342

The pair of Vardariotai scouts watched the enemy army deployed on the southern side of the bridge. Black and gold Crusader Cross banners flew over the force, meaning it was the Army of Outremer, almost all of it, except for the few units assigned to garrison Antioch. It looked like the Cyclops himself was in command. The lead scout shook his head, Strategos Valsamon would certainly not attack the entire army, not with its fell reputation over the past few years. Others had tried and failed, and the Strategos was no impulsive Captain looking to burnish his reputation or save his skin.

Just as the scouts were about to turn back to report, a series of horn blasts were heard from the other side of the Orontes. Several Crusader infantry units decamped, and as the scouts looked on with interest, marched south on the road back to Antioch.

The lead scout paused to think, over half of the brigand's infantry was now gone, this changed the situation. He ordered his companion to report back to Valsamon.

On the the other side of the river, Matthias Steffen and Adalric watched the second scout depart. Matthias smiled and laughed darkly, "They have taken the bait, again. The Greeks think they're clever this time, waiting for us to divide the army. The sin of pride can be blinding."

Off to his left, Adalric glanced at his liege, Matthias's black eyepatch stood in stark contrast to the rest of his face.

"My Lord, there is the danger that we have weakened our forces too much. It is not just our enemies who may suffer from. . .arrogance."

Matthias turned and leveled his one good eye at Adalric, a grim expression on his face. He held it for a moment and then grunted ruefully, "True enough, Sir, but if I am prideful, at least I am doing it from behind an excellent defensive position. God favors a strong defense."

The Viceroy turned and took in the panorama of the river valley.

"It is good to be back here Adalric. To be back north. This is a good place to make a stand."

A day later, Valsamon moved to attack.

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Matthias deployed his men a distance back from the bridge as the Greeks had elite archers who could reach the far bank. The infantry were in front, ready to charge in and cap the mouth of the bridge. The cannon were off to the right. The cavalry were deployed behind them. The crossbowmen were on the flanks, angled inward to face the midpoint of the bridge.

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The Byzantines led with their archers, mounted and foot. Their infantry was behind them, followed by the heavy cavalry and Vasamon and his retinue. Matthias ordered the cannon to begin firing into their center of mass.

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The rounds exploded among the Greeks. With the Crusaders out of arrow range, the Greek archers and infantry surged forward across the bridge rather than sustain more cannon fire. The Strategos and the melee horsemen hung back.

Matthias, seeing this purple wave crossing the bridge, ordered his own infantry into position. The cannons were ordered to fire at the Greek cavalry.

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The lines met, the Imperial spearmen set just in time to receive the charge of the Vardariotai. As the Greek foot arrived, a mixture of archers, spears and swordmen, Matthias ordered the unhorsed knights and Great Cross guards into the fray.

It was a vicious melee. The Crusader Sergeants and others were being pushed back. Matthias wondered if Adlaric had been right, but then the first Greek units began to break. The horsemen were ordered to pursue.

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This was good news, but as the second wave of Greek foot hit the lines, the routers rallied briefly enough to kill a few crossbowmen. This chaos and the pursuit of the routers disrupted missile and cannon fire. Matthias cursed as he ran down a spearman.

Valsamon, seeing this chaos, decided to cross with the Greek horsemen.

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Fortunately the Imperial cavalry had managed to clear the Greek routers from the line of fire of the crossbowmen. The Imperial front was restored in time to meet the third wave. Matthias ordered his own bodyguard to charge in to meet the Strategos.

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With Valsamon captured, the rest of the Greeks broke. The rout was on.

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A few survivors were able to make it off the field, but the army was destroyed.

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The Basileus did not reward defeat, the Strategos and his men were left to die.

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