We continue our grand camping covering First Crusade, playing on tactical level all the major battles as depicted in Crusades expansion for Commands & Colors Medieval. We had a blast with initial engagement – Nicaea (1097 AD) – as well as first major battle, presented in three, chronologically ordered scenarios – Dorylaeum (1097 AD). So it was only natural that we shall continue with that great game and check how the history unfolds!

Today we shall witness two interesting events: the great siege of Antioch and how the Fatamid counter-attack was repelled after Crusades have taken the Jerusalem. Both are not only great material for the boardgame but also interesting lesson in Middle East Medieval past. They will be covered in three scenarios:

  • 105 Lake Antioch – 9 February 1098 – where Crusaders will repeal the Muslim relief forces, trying to rescue the besieged Antioch
  • 106 Antioch – 28 June 1098 – where starved and exhausted Crusaders, just several weeks after taking Antioch, will face their most fearsome enemy to date
  • 107 Ascalon – 14 August 1099 – here we shall witness for the first time Fatamids in action – who will try to take Jerusalem from Crusaders; not the last such attempt of course!

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

Some of my materials for great Crusaders expansion:

105 Lake Antioch – 9 February 1098

Historical background

The Crusaders had begun the siege of Antioch in October 1097 and it had dragged on for months. It was in February 1098 word was received that Turkish forces under Fakhr al-Mulk Radwan had gathered at Harim some sixteen miles from Antioch, and intended to relieve the besieged city. The Crusaders appointed Norman Bohemond of Taranto to lead what remained of the Crusader mounted forces and intercept Radwan in a hilly narrow defile created by Lake Antioch and Orontes River.

The Crusader cavalry charged forward before Radwan had the opportunity to fully deploy. Although the Turkish forward squadrons retreated in disorder, Radwan was still able to organize a counterattack. The Crusader knights began to waver, but Bohemond rallied the Crusader cavalry. Their countercharge was too much for the Turkish army. Hammered from the front and deprived of its ability to maneuver and outflank their attackers, the Turkish army disintegrated into chaotic rout. 

Session report

I love how each and every scenario in this expansion is different from the others. Here we have just several Crusaders units – but these are predominantly the elite Knights! The terrain is very confined due to rivers, my Turk units in disarray, prone to the frontal assault from the enemy. But those light mounted archers will have some tricks up their sleeves – like Evade, Parthian Shot or Feign Retreat.

Game set-up of our first scenario, Lake Antioch. I am leading the Turks who are in a bit of disarray while Lukasz concentrated all his formidable knights on the nearby hill.
After some back & forth Lukasz moved to the decisive action – Mounted Charge is always welcome, even vs units who can evade. As it happened, one of them actually Feigned the Retreat and dragged the knight with him!
Then I used one of the actions which is – I believe – rarely used and sometimes undervalued – Light Cavalry Swarm! It worked like a charm, killing both the Knights unit and the leader!
Still, that was maximum what I could achieve. Densely packed Turk units, with no way to evade, additionally hit by the Panic rule (each retreat potentially a casualty) could result in only one outcome. Still, I believe the result achieved (3-5) is nothing to be ashamed of!

106 Antioch – 28 June 1098

Historical background

The siege of Antioch continued, and at the end of May 1098, a Turkish army under the command of Kerbogha approached. Before that army arrived, the Crusaders had a stroke of good luck. A traitor inside Antioch assisted a small contingent to enter and open the gates. The Crusaders rushed in and the city garrison was overwhelmed – except for those who held out in the citadel. The Crusaders controlled most of the city, except for the citadel.

Shortly after, Kerbogha arrived and set siege to the Crusaders now inside Antioch. On Monday 28 June, the starving Crusaders chose a do-or-die battle over surrender and slavery. They emerged from the city bridge gate and began to form for battle. Although Kerbogha’s commanders urged him to attack immediately, he felt a preemptive strike would only partially destroy the Crusaders – and he wanted the entire army. His overconfidence led him to underestimate the size of the Crusader army, which in time occupied the entire plain and started to advance.

Too late a Turk detachment was sent to harass the Crusader left wing, but Bohemond quickly sent them packing. Kerbogha began to order the entire army to attack , but it was too late. The ferocious Crusaders had thrown the main Turkish army into complete disarray. The army broke up and fled in several directions. As Kerbogha fled, the city citadel finally surrendered, and Bohemond claimed the city as his own.

Session report

Here I was still leading the Turks, this time in a very big & complex battle which June 1098 Antioch was. We have here flanking forces (mine), relic (on Lukasz side), city with walls and gates plus tons of various units on both sides. Honestly, it could go any way. Or, it seemed at the first glance.

Game set-up of our second scenario, main battle of Antioch.
I quickly moved my flanking units to the main Turkish line. They were more liability than any danger to Crusaders far away at the map edge. And then both side clashed.
It was bloody with high losses on both sides. The relic allowed Lukasz to play two inspired tokens per turn. On top of this, quality of his units (foot & mounted knights) was superb in comparison to my swarm of light & medium soldiers. Thus not surprisingly, as in history, Crusaders prevailed!

107 Ascalon – 14 August 1099

Historical background

Shortly after the fall of Jerusalem, El-Afdal with a large army was sent to recover the city. The Egyptian forces in the Fatimid army were unlike those with which the Crusaders had already faced. Most troops, including all the cavalry were spearmen and not archers like the Turks. The Crusader army, under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon impetuously marched to Ascalon, and deployed for battle when he was in sight of the city.

El-Afdal, although surprised, managed to deploy his infantry and launch his light cavalry in a turning move against the Crusader left. Godfrey charged forward and rode down the enemy cavalry, while the rest of the Crusader army advanced. The Fatimid infantry was rolled back against their cavalry, who were still trying to form up, and in the confusion, instead fled to the south without much of a fight. The Egyptian camp was captured, but Godfrey failed to exploit the victory and take Ascalon.

Session report

The time has come for last scenario for the evening. A completely new experience – new faction, new units (Bowmen Auxilia) and new inspired actions. We also decided to switch the sides so I could play with Crusaders and, maybe, charge headlong with their knights!

Game set-up of our third scenario, two lines pretty close to each other, ready to charge. No finesse here, just brutal onslaught.
Well, I did not took too many close-up photos here – mainly because the game was so dynamic and was swinging back and forth. The Bowmen Auxilia proved to be perfect target for charging knights – immovable, densely packed lines of poorly equipped foot soldiers. And while the Turkish reserves were brought to the fight, it was definitely too late to change anything. Decisive historical Crusaders victory!

Summary

That concluded our 3 scenario, mini-campaign covering last episodes of First Crusade. We played with great pleasure, having fun both from gaming experience but also reenacting history. Of course, not all scenarios were equally fun or balanced. In the end we also tallied the scores:

  • Crusaders 19 – Seljuq Turks 10

The result was pretty harsh on Turks but fully in line with their historical track of record in those battles. It was good to switch sides at some moment not to be only on receiving side of knight’s charges 🙂 However, soo after that game we moved to further battles, between first and second crusade, and these were much more balanced.

More session reports to come!