Battle of Tel Nebi Mend 1274BCE II

In a refighting of last week's Biblical battle (see Battle of Tel Nebi Mend), a fresh band of warriors took to the field in a remote game to contest the ground one more time.

Present in yesterday's contest were:
Egyptians

Chris (Horse and Musket Gaming) Pharaoh and Left Wing

Dave (St Cyr on Wheels) Right Wing

Hittites

Mark (Mud, Blood, and Steel) King and Right Wing

Tony (Prometheus in Aspic) Left Wing

Battle view from behind the Egyptian army.

With the armies drawn up for battle, we dive straight into the action.

As the battle opens, we see both armies advance.  Only the Hittite Right Wing chooses to hold its chariots in reserve.  The Hittite King, in the center, watches over the proceedings, motionless. Chariotry from both armies maneuvers around the southern end of Tel Nebi Mend.  Already, Hittite bowshots are raining down onto the approaching Egyptian chariots.  The Hittites push skirmishers up to take the high ground in the center.  Pharaoh counters by moving up his skirmishers below Tel Nebi Mend.  

The armies advance.

Harassing archery triggers a response
 from the Egyptian chariotry.

Annoyed by enemy archery against his chariots, the Pharaoh orders his Right Wing chariots to strike.  Below the rocky outcroppings, two chariots clash.  After a series of dogfights, the Egyptian is sent packing.  The Hittite, weakened by the exertions of prolonged combat, pursues.  After suffering more in the pursuit, the Hittite calls off the pursuit and retires. 

First chariot clash of battle.

After a long dogfight, the Egyptian breaks off.

After Pharaoh's skirmishers are beaten in futile attacks against the enemy on the high ground, Egyptian massed archers are sent forward. In hopes of outflanking the enemy as it moves up onto the high ground, the second Egyptian chariot on the right swings around the rocky high ground.  Interesting that this chariot opted to press on rather than finish off the retreating enemy chariot.

After losing the skirmish for the high ground,
massed archers are brought forward.

Egyptian outflanking maneuver
as Hittites reinforce the high ground.

Frustrated by the lack of progress against Tel Nebi Mend, Pharaoh takes matters into his own hands.  He sets his chariot into motion toward the high ground.  Easily brushing aside enemy skirmishers, he attacks up into the difficult terrain.  Despite being disordered, Pharaoh presses on. Pharaoh's attack yields success!  The enemy is pushed off from the heights!

Pharaoh's approach,

attack,

and success!

Pharaoh's success is fleeting.

In perhaps a pursuit too far, Pharaoh's chariot is stopped by the enemy as resistance stiffens at the foot of the high ground.  Pharaoh is compelled to retire.  Sensing now may be the time to strike, the Egyptian chariot rumbling around the rocky bluffs pitches into the enemy.  In a brief clash, the Egyptian veers off and heads to the rear.  Reacting quickly, the trailing Hittite chariot attempts to chase down the fleeing chariot.  Fortunately for the Egyptian, he makes good his escape before being scattered to the wind.  With threats from enemy chariots vanquished, Hittite foot advance to reclaim the high ground of Tel Nebi Mend. 

Pharaoh's attack, repulsed!

A second Egyptian chariot attack repulsed!

The chase but no catch.

Hittites reclaim Tel Nebi Mend.

What about the other wing of battle?  Well, the Egyptian Left and Hittite Right continue to approach each other with great caution.  Finally, the pressure building is too much and one Egyptian chariot charges into the Hittite line.  Unfortunately for the chariot, the Hittite line holds and the Egyptian is forced to veer off toward the rear.

Cautious advance on the Hittite Right.

Charge and repulse!

With the threat of immediate enemy chariotry gone (the second Egyptian chariot on the Left is bottled up in the center!), the Hittites strike!

The first target in the Hittite's sights is a body of enemy light infantry.  Leading with a storm of arrows, the Hittite crashes into the enemy foot.  Overwhelmed, the enemy breaks for the rear.  The Hittite pursues.  Pursuit carries it into a body of awaiting massed archers.  The archers fail to deliver a volley before they, too, are hit by the charging chariot.  Like their brethren, the archers break for the rear.  In hot pursuit, the Hittite easily dispatches the archers before turning its focus onto the retreating chariot.  Catching the enemy from behind, the Egyptian chariot is cut down.  The Egyptian Left is in tatters!    

One charge, one retreat!

A second charge, a second retreat!

A third charge leads to annihilation.

Egyptian Left is no more!

The attacks from the Hittite Left are not yet finished.  Exposed, the Egyptian baggage is overrun as the Hittites roam freely in the Egyptian rear.  As the second Egyptian chariot moves out from the center, it is pounced upon by another enemy chariot.  Wheeling away from the attacker, the Egyptian is caught from behind and quickly dispatched.  The Egyptian Right stalls, looking on in horror. 

Chariot dogfight sees the Egyptian attempt to escape.

Egyptian is caught and scattered.

Egyptian Right stands motionless...

as its army breaks.

Yikes!  The Hittites pulled off a very impressive and comfortable victory over their Egyptian adversaries.  With final Army Breakpoint Clocks showing Hittites 19 to the Egyptian's 0, this was a Hittite victory, truly of Biblical proportions.

Tremendous victory by Mark and Tony as the Hittites.  My condolences to Chris and Dave as the Egyptians. 

As umpire and figure-pusher, this was an exciting battle to watch unfold.  The devastation wrought by Mark's Hittite Right was remarkable.  Game lasted about three hours in playing time.

I encourage participants to offer up their reflections on the battle in their post-game retrospective analysis and commentary here.

Another terrific Biblical clash.  Thanks guys!