We had a blast with Lukasz playing first scenarios of the Crusades expansion for Commands & Colors Medieval (First Crusade via C&C Medieval – Part 1 – Nicaea (1097 AD)). So it was only natural that we shall continue the campaign! We definitely see the changes in the system as a great way to reflect the specifics of historical period but also – to spice-up the game! All those Knights in shining armor, feint retreats by light Saracen cavalry, special new Inspired and Battlefield actions – you really feel this is new epoch.

So what we have chosen is chronological continuation of the First Crusade in a three-scenario depiction of the Dorylaeum (1097 AD) battle:

  • 102 Dorylaeum – 1 July 1097 (Phase 1 – Defendable Base Camp) – where Crusaders will try to build a camp, being all the time harassed by Turks
  • 103 Dorylaeum – 1 July 1097 (Phase 2-Attack on the Camp) – where Turks attack unfinished camp. Crusaders fight for survival while their reinforcements start to arrive
  • 104 Dorylaeum – 1 July 1097 (Raymond’s Flanking Attack) – where two-pronged, flanking attack by Crusaders cavalry finally broke any Turkish resistance

Ok, so without further delay, let me invite you to the 11th century AD, Middle East!

Some of my materials for great Crusaders expansion:

102 Dorylaeum – 1 July 1097 (Defendable Base Camp)

Historical background

Following the siege and taking of Nicaea, the Crusader army marched through a bleak region, shadowed all the while, by a small force of Turkish cavalry. When the Crusader vanguard reached the Kara Su valley, Bohemond of Taranto, seeing the main Turkish army deployed and blocking his path, ordered the infantry to make camp to provide them with a defendable base. 

He sent word to the main Crusader body, which was about 4 miles behind, to come up quickly. Then he ordered the cavalry in the vanguard forward to protect the infantry. While the camp was being set up, the Turkish force attacked the Crusader cavalry. Confused by the Turkish long-range harassing tactics, the Crusader cavalry was unable to come to grips with the light Turkish cavalry and finally retired back to the southern edge of the infantry camp.

Session report

This was kind of the warm-up scenario. The special rule on Crusader side (The Crusader player, when ordering units, may use one order from the Command Card and place a camp hex on any medium or heavy Crusader infantry unit’s hex) was giving points very quickly and forced Lukasz and his Turks to some rapid, sometimes not fully prepared, advances. Let us see if history repeated.

Game set-up of our first scenario, about Defendable Base Camp. The screening Crusader cavalry is in the front, the infantry behind, with two leaders coordinating the camp construction effort.
There was really no time to waste for Lukasz and his Seljuk Turks – I was gaining 1 VP each turn from Camp Construction – so he decided to charge. He did manage to inflict some losses on my troops…
…but in the end did not prevented the camp set-up. Crusaders gained and easy victory 6-1, where half of the points came from the actual construction (as marked above). We quickly moved to next scenario, hoping for a more engaging game.

103 Dorylaeum – 1 July 1097 (Attack on the Camp)

Historical background

During the initial stage of the battle, Bohemond’s Crusader cavalry forward deployment to protect the infantry as they set up their defendable base camp had failed. The Turkish light cavalry harassing tactics forced the Crusader cavalry to fall back and rally on Robert of Normandy’s formation near the southern edge of the infantry camp. Meanwhile, a strong Turkish force attacked and began to penetrate the northern side of the Crusader camp which was not protected by any cavalry. At the same time, the first troops from the main Crusader body begin to arrive. This cavalry, under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon, formed up to the right of Bohemond. Together the reinforced Crusader cavalry pushed forward against Kilij Arslan’s Turkish units.

Session report

Here we shall have much more balanced game, with Seljuks scoring additional points for each camp they manage to capture and hold till the beginning of their next turn. On the other hand, the Crusader Crossbowmen will have a lot of target to shoot at – and they are deadly at that!

Game set-up of our second scenario, Attack on the Camp.
Lukasz – after showering me with arrows – started the ferocious assault; the fight was close, both sides doing their best to stop the opponent. But then the Turks numbers started to tell…
That is why I decided to put a pressure on Lukasz on my right wing, with the known saying that the best defense is attack. It worked miracles as my charge started to bring a lot of victory points!
The game finished in last, epic Seljuk charge which gave Lukasz final point; very close, very tense scenario – definitely so far the best we played!

104 Dorylaeum – 1 July 1097 (Raymond’s Flanking Attack)

Historical background

While the Crusader cavalry units of Bohemond of Taranto and Godfrey of Bouillon pushed forward against Kilij Arslan’s Turkish units, a follow-on Crusader cavalry force had advanced through a series of drumlins to the left of Kilii Arslan’s army.

These elongated hills formed by glacial drift, served to allow Raymond’s Crusader cavalry to advance unobserved and to get behind the Turkish army. The combined assault which broke against both the front and rear of Kilij Arslan’s Turkish army proved to be too much for the Turks, who suffered heavy casualties. The routed Turkish army retreated hastily to the south.

Session report

The time has come for last scenario for the evening. It had again some special rules and unique set up. The Crusaders had a flanking force which was attacking Turks from behind; but it was a small detachment so they could fall victim to concentrated Seljuk attack. Let us see how it went.

Game set-up of our third scenario, Raymond’s Flanking Attack.
Well, I did not took too many close-up photos here – mainly because the game was so dynamic and was swinging back and forth. As predicted, my flanking force was more of liability than a danger to Lukasz – most of Raymond’s Force died quickly, including some relief forces. The game finished in the center after well planned Lukasz attack.

Summary

That concluded our 3 scenario, mini-campaign covering whole battle of Dorylaeum. We played with great pleasure, having fun both from gaming experience but also reenacting history. Of course, not all scenarios were equally fun – second was definitely the best one. In the end we also tallied the scores:

  • Michal (Crusaders) 14 – Lukasz (Seljuq Turks) 14

The result was pretty funny – a total draw! I won decisively first engagement, Lukasz triumphed in third, second was very, very close. So it is not a surprise but a testimony to how balanced that game can be. Having such great experience, we of course agreed to continue further with the First Crusade battles!

More session reports to come!