Arsuf: Lionheart Vs

Arsuf: Lionheart vs. Saladin Following a series of harassing attacks by Saladin’s forces, battle was joined on the morning of 7 September 1191. Richard’s army successfully resisted attempts to disrupt its cohesion until the Hospitallers broke ranks and charged; Richard then commit- ted all his forces to the attack. He regrouped his army after its initial success, and led them to victory. The battle resulted in the coastal area of southern Palestine, including the port of Jaffa, returning to Christian control. This made the capture of Jerusalem an achievable proposition. 7 September 1191 AD Saladin’s plan is to raid and loot the Crusader baggage trains, which is the best way to disrupt the Crusaders’ campaign. The Kurds and Egyptians are poised to strike in the northern part of the map. These divisions are lead by Shirkuk and Taqi. Saladin has the Mamluk Division in the center, while Gobkori leads the Syrians against the southern fl ank. The Crusader Army will become demoralized after the elimination of two of the baggage trains, so this is a target for the Muslims. Additionally, the Muslims gain 5 VP for each train that doesn’t make it to Arsuf by the end of the game. That could result in a total of 20 VP. On the other hand, the Crusaders gain 10 VP for each train that makes it to Arsuf. Either player can win an automatic victory. The Muslims, by destroying all four trains, and the Crusaders by safely passing all four trains to Arsuf. by E.R. Bickford AAR of Arsuf: Otherwise, the victory will be marginal Lionheart vs. Saladin essentially based on loss points. Production: Lise’ Patterson Overview of the Battle The Crusaders will try to learn from their past lessons (the battle of Hattin), © 2013 Decision Games This battle is part of the Third Crusade. and move slowly and methodi- The Crusaders have already captured cally, keeping tight formations. This Bakersﬁ eld, CA. Acre and have the intent of capturing will protect the baggage trains. Jerusalem. Thinking that he would Hopefully these will pass into Arsuf. need to capture Jaffa to make an attack Richard I is leading the forces in the on Jerusalem feasible, Richard the center. Henry and Robert de Sablé Lionhearted began a march down the are with the vanguard. Guy and coast from Acre. Richard’s counterpart Hugh command the rearguard. was Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, who was determined to prevent the capture of Jerusalem. | AFTER ACTION REPORT | A1 Arsuf: Lionheart vs. Saladin Turn 1 supplies to the city. On turn one, the mounted archers so they get one shot Crusader player focuses on advancing to disorder their attackers. Since the hit The Muslim player is the first player toward the city. Since the baggage number is a “one” it is not surprising throughout this game. Saladin con- moves only two hexes per turn, it that there is no effect. Shirkuk and his tinues with his ambush plan. On turn will take 8 of the 10 turns to get them Egyptian cavalry shock attack, and one, Gobkori brings the Syrian division there, even if unhindered. The trains both are repulsed and retreated. around the southern flank to cut the head for the road, which greatly Crusaders off from their intended facilitates (doubles) their movement. In the center, Tariq leads the Mamluks easy passage to Arsuf. Meanwhile, Unfortunately, this places them closer into the Crusader infantry. The Saladin and Tariq threaten Richard’s to danger from the Muslim army. archery fire has limited effect again, central position with the Mamluks. but two of the Mamluk formations In the north, Shirkuk and Taqi press Turn 2 become disrupted. The others charge. forward, but also are charged with These attacks are unsuccessful. Some protecting the Muslim camps. The On the north flank, Shirkuk decides of the Mamluks remain engaged, Crusaders collect 20 VP for entering that there is no sense waiting around. while others are forced to retreat. the camp during the course of the He launches into contact with the some On the southern flank, Gobkori game. There is no contact yet. of the mounted men from Jerusalem. leads the Syrian division against a Several of the light infantry fire formation of cavalry from Jerusalem. The Crusaders begin their movement their archery in defense. These light The Turcopole unit retreats before toward Arsuf. Although Arsuf is a infantry troops have a range of two combat, because it would have been ruined city, there still stood defensible which gives them a little advantage an auto elimination to do otherwise. walls and a port, hence, Richard’s over the Muslims. Unfortunately, plan to move his baggage trains and nothing hits. The Turcopole units are A2 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | The Crusaders try to open up the southern flank. Henry and Robert de Sablé lead an attack. Unfortunately, the Syrian archers disrupt some of Robert‘s attacking formations. Not much prog- ress is made in opening up the road or the southern flank. Henry does manage a little success on the eastern side of the road. In the center, the Crusaders push back the Muslim forces to gain a little breathing room for the trains. The Muslims have lost three units this turn. Turn 3 Shirkuk tries to recover his forces from disorder. Meanwhile, Taqi attempts to smash into the heavy infantry on the rear flank. His Egyptian cavalry manage to inflict a retreat result. Since the Crusaders have to pass through friendly units, they become disordered. Then Tariq attacks the center of the Crusader position. This yields mixed | AFTER ACTION REPORT | A3 Arsuf: Lionheart vs. Saladin results. One of the Muslim units is Shirkuk’s units and it disintegrates. I strikes the western part of the caught in an attack without a clear None of the Crusaders recover during Muslim position. Saladin is pushed retreat path and is eliminated. The key reorganization, but one of the heavy back. Nablus engages Shirkuk in the area of the battlefield, which is develop- infantry formations does rally. rear. This has mixed results, but one ing, is the southern flank facing Arsuf. Egyptian formation is destroyed. Here, both Henry and Robert are facing Turn 4 Gobkori and the Syrian division. Most Turn 5 of Gobkori’s forces retreat after being On the south flank, the Syrians attack repulsed in combat. One unit is elimi- again. The archers have no effect Although Saladin’s Army has lost nated in an exchange result which also here but Gobkori successfully drives a lot of strength, they still have the wrecks a Crusader infantry formation. back Henry’s and Robert’s forces. Crusaders cut off from Arsuf and there Then both Saladin and Tariq strike is some hope of knocking out more In the van, Henry and Robert renew the southern position from the units. In the south, Gobkori launches their attacks on the enemy. The east. Miraculously, this pushes the another round of hit and run strikes Muslims are still blocking the approach Crusaders backwards into their central against Robert and Henry’s formations. to Arsuf. An exchange of archery area. Farther north, the Egyptians Most of the attacks are repulsed, volleys yields some success. In the end, strike Avesnes and Guy. Both are however. Next, Saladin and Tariq attack the Crusaders push the Muslims back, retreated toward the coastal road. In Richard in the center. Some of the partially opening the way to Arsuf. the north, Shirkuk gets an exchange Muslim archery volleys are effective. and takes out some of the Knights Although outnumbered, the Muslim In the center, Guy and the Poitevan Templar, while Nablus and the Knights forces gain some ground, but a Mamluk Knights attack the Muslim skirmishers. Hospitaller are driven southward. heavy cavalry unit is eliminated. These attempt a Karr-wa-farr (a feigned retreat to entice the Crusaders out of The Crusaders’ baggage train Taqi orders the Kurds to attack in the line) hoping to surround Guy’s knights. advances into a dangerous position. north. The archers are unsuccessful This fails, however, and the Muslim The Crusaders in the south perform on both sides, but an exchange result skirmishers retreat before combat. successful archery fire and disorder takes out some of the Crusaders’ Guy of Lusignan safely advances. some Muslim units. Both Henry and heavy infantry. The other attacks Farther north, Hugh attacks one of Robert gain ground. Then Richard in the north are successful. The A4 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Kurds use archers against a heavy infantry formation and then push it backwards in the shock attack. The Crusaders now react. Henry and Robert attack the southern defensive position with charging knights. These are met by a hail of archery fire. Fortunately, none of Gobkori’s skirmishers have any effect; the Muslim cavalry figure retreat before combat is their best option. On the eastern flank, Saladin’s division holds fast. One Muslim unit is lost though. Guy, Avesnes and Hugh are engaged with Taqi in the north. The other attacks between Hugh and Shirkuk result in a couple of exchanges. Both sides are becoming weak in the north position, but the baggage trains are in the south by now. The Muslim player is also concerned with protecting his encampment. | AFTER ACTION REPORT | A5 Arsuf: Lionheart vs. Saladin Loss results knock out two of the Syrian cavalry units. That hurts. Despite the rallying of units, the Muslim player has too many units in the dead pile. The Crusaders see an opportunity to break things open to Arsuf. Robert de Sablé, Henry, and Richard I all charge the position with their knights.

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