The Battle of Haj Tepe Ridge. Part One.

Finally, Sheikh al Taif and his army make an appearance. His force was positioned on a ridge above flat scrub land. Barnardus had to acknowledge it was good ground for horses, but was concerned that his foe were totally mounted, no foot units at all. Also, he may have to attack uphill, with all the disadvantages that held. al Taif, had chosen both his force and the ground well.

The left flank has one unit of heavy cavalry (blue) and one unit of javelins.

In the centre, Sheikh al Taif was with a unit of heavy cavalry alongside a unit of archers.

His right flank consisted of javelins and heavy cavalry.

Barnardus placed two units of mounted men at arms on his left flank.

His spears and archers in the centre.

He placed himself on the right flank with one of two units of mounted men at arms.

Looking along the Rosmian lines

The warriors of Ethus.

The two forces prepare for battle.

Looking from the centre of Barnardus' line.

The enemy left flank.

His right too.

The men of Ethus have the high ground.

Barnardus, concerned about his archers in particular, reforms them and the spears into mixed units. this reduces their firing range, but does increase their attack and defence values. However, the units can no longer form Schiltron.

TURN ONE.

Sheikh al Taif moves his archers and javelins forward, being careful to stay just beyond charge range of the mounted men at arms.

Barnardus advances one mixed foot.

The other unit looses its arrows but is ineffective.

The unit of mounted men on the right flank fail their move order. (I forgot that Barnardus could have re-rolled once each turn)

TURN TWO.

A unit of mounted javelins skirmish against one of the mixed bow/spear units, causing one casualty.

The archers too pick on the same unit, also scoring a casualty.

The first losses of the battle.

The Javelins fail a move order.

The second unit of archers/spears advances.

The first unit looses on the javelins, inflicting a casualty.

A unit of mounted men at arms charges at the javelins.

But the javelins safely evade out of charge range.

Barnardus orders all his mounted units to advance.

The field at the end of Turn Two.

This post is already rather long, and as my camera needs a recharge, I will call a halt here.