Battle of Zallaqah, 1086 - AAR

Jonathan (Palouse Wargaming Journal) and I got together to fight this engagement from the Spanish Reconquista.  Having performed abysmally in the game as one of the Rejects, I was hoping for at least a glimmer of sensible of tactical ability and perhaps the even application of the laws of probability.

I took charge of the Christian army.  Jonathan controlled the Muslim forces.

The Christian army deployed with all the knights out front.

The view towards the Muslim army.  There were quite a few long spear units with archers attached.

My plan, as far as I had one, was to nullify or at least delay the Muslim light cavalry on my right from harassing my flank.  Then, go all out with the knights while forming all my spear units into a block.

... let's see what happened.

With the initiative, I threw my right wing light cavalry straight into the Muslim light horse on the hill.  Their success was stunning.  Two enemy units were beaten and chased back to the rear of the own army.  First job for the Christian army done!  No irritating light cavalry to worry my right flank.

Now for the right wing knights!
With the Muslim skirmishers failing to evade, they were quickly despatched leaving the enemy spear units exposed.  The knights did the job in beating and throwing those dangerous units back, but failed to pursue.

 It was now the turn of the left wing knights. Their charge forward meant more skirmishers were trampled before another Muslim spear unit was decimated but not destroyed.

The Christian cavalry had inflicted significant damage to their opponents and pushed the Muslim front line back.  However, they had failed to pursue and deliver a fatal blow.

The space gained by the knights allowed the following infantry to slowly trudge forward...

...and form a solid battle line.
The battle now went through a bit of a lull.  Charges and melees occurred, forcing the right wing knights to retire, but more energy was devoted to redressing the lines. 

As the Muslim forces organised themselves and advanced, the knights showed signs of wear and tear.  It was becoming clear that the early impetus and advantage of the Christian king was gone.

The Muslim army crept forward as the Christian forces braced themselves.

In concert with their medium cavalry, the Muslim spears threw their weight against the right wing knights.  Unable to resist, the cream of Spanish chivalry was annihilated.

Right wing crossbow countered the Muslim cavalry threat to the infantry flank.

It was evident that the moment of crisis was approaching and that both sides needed to win the initiative and take decisive action.

Alfonso was first out of the blocks.  The remaining knights pounded forward on the left and caused havoc on the Muslim right.  However, it came at great cost as one unit of armoured cavalry was destroyed and the other failed to capitalise on its initial success.  Nonetheless the Muslim right was now substantially damaged.

The engagement was now going to be decided in the centre by the infantry.
Sensing the urgent need to confound the Muslim spears and anticipate their assault, the rightmost Christian spear block charged.

This was the start of a titanic clash of flesh and metal to win the battle - this was the start of the "do or die" climax.

With great fury, the Christian spears dealt out out death.  Decimated by the attack, the Muslim spears were forced to retire.  However, the effort left the attackers unable to pursue.
Having set the example, the next unit of spearmen leapt forward and charged the isolated Muslim spears.

After a savage engagement in which the Muslims suffered greatly, the defenders were compelled to retreat.  But this time the Christian spears did not let the the advantage slip and charged again.

... and in wiping out the remnants of the unit, the Muslims decided it was time to retire from the field.

The last struggle in the centre was vital.  With both armies hanging on the verge of collapse, success here was a matter of survival.

So... the result!  We agreed that with both armies so close to collapse by the end, a draw was the right decision.  Even if one could argue a Christian victory, the truth was that both sides were so damaged that any victory would have to be considered hollow, or pyrrhic.

After thoughts
The game took exactly two hours of playing time.  That was the greatest fun.  So much action.  So many decision points.  The evening was an absolute blast and I left it buzzing!

The battle started with amazing Christian successes.  The Muslims then recovered and reorganised; taking the fight back to the Christians.  The initiative was evenly distributed throughout.  I would also say that the dice treated both Jon and I evenly and fairly overall.

Jonathan was a gracious host, fair and honest umpire, and a worthy opponent.  Great work, great time.