Marauding desert tribes have disrupted the caravan
trade between Qatna and Tadmor and to remedy the situation a number of Amorite city states cobbled together an army to punish the sand dwellers. All the engagements took place in the fertile region (arable terrain) between the two
cities.
The
armies
The Later Amorite has a large retinue of troops armed
with sickle sword and battle axes (3Bd). These are supported by a good number
of skirmishers (Ps) and two units of auxilia, all under the command of a general
who rides a platform car (Cv).
In contrast, the Bedouin are lighter armed with
auxilia (3Ax) making up the bulk of the army and supporting them are two units of
bow (3Bw) and three units of skirmishers (Ps). Both armies have no difficulty
in negotiating difficult terrain, but fighting such terrain is not favourable
for the Amorite retinue.
Game 1
The Amorite formed a battle line with the auxilia making use
of a village to secure their left with the majority of infantry extending a broad front from that point. Skirmishers posted to the extreme right completed the battle formation. Half of the Bedouin could be seen
facing the Amorite centre while the remainder were lurking behind the woods.
The Amorite general noted the hesitancy among the Bedouin leaders and so moved his own force quickly forward. Within minutes, the
distance between the two lines closed the clash that followed gave the Amorite first blood.
The Amorite were surprised at the lack of resistance from the Bedouin as victory was quickly achieved. Despite the few casualties incurred. the score was 4 – 2 for the Later Amorite.
Note: Call it treachery or the sand dwellers were in
disfavour by the gods, but three turns with consecutive low pip scores essentially
immobilised the Bedouin. Historians will most likely lay the blame to tribal
discord.
Game 2
Driving the Bedouin out of the fertile valleys, the
sand dwellers were caught near the foothills. Deployed in the valley floor was
the main strength of the Amorite force with the remainder securing the heights
on the right directly facing the Bedouin tribesmen.
The tribesmen were this time less lethargic and were now
focusing their main assault on the heights held by Amorite skirmishers and
auxilia. These quickly formed a line along the crest as the Bedouin approached.
Atop their hill position, the Amorite held long enough to
allow the main body time to engage the Bedouin right formed on the valley floor. Inspired by the presence of their
leader, the Amorite retinue quickly cut down Bedouin archers and javelinmen bring the score to 3 – 1.
The Amorite suffered another casualty but seeing the
entire right wing collapse, the Bedouin called for a retreat. Score 4 – 2 for the Later Amorite.
Game 3
A third victory against the Bedouin would ensure peace for a few years so the Amorite were quite optimistic about a final engagement.
Both armies formed their battle line, each resting their flanks on covering terrain; here the
Amorite made use of a small village and the slope of a nearby hill. Directly to
their front, the Bedouin formed their line between two woods.
The Bedouin quickly moved their left against the Amorite right positioned in the village while the remainder of the army held their place.
Confident that the village would hold against the Bedouin assault, the Amorite centre and left wing advanced against the Bedouin. The auxilia on the left were surprised by a sudden Bedouin
attack from the wood, but this did not slow the main assault on the centre. To support the effort around the village a unit
of Amorite infantry were sent to support the defenders.
In the centre, the Amorite infantry were meeting stiff
resistance incurring a casualty. Despite the loss the battle line still held.
Any confidence that had been felt before was shattered as isolated Amorite
units were disappearing under swarms of tribesmen surrounding them. The
situation took an unexpected turn as the entire right wing collapsed giving the
victorious Bedouin an open gateway to the Amorite camp. To save the army a general retreat was
called for. Score 4 – 3 for the Ammu
Bedouin.
Note: Both Early Bedouin and Early Libyan have scored a
victory proving the ‘impossible is possible’.
The Later Amorite relied primarily on a rapid assault by their retinue troops (3Bd) to win their battles, but this could work as an advantage for the Bedouin. If Bedouin tribesmen could survive successive recoils from retinue troops this could expose their flanks to attack by supporting Bedouin troops.
ReplyDeleteExcellent as always!
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