060.Siege of Damascus_a - WDS Crusades: Book I
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| Rating: | 0 (0) |
| Games Played: | 0 |
| SM: | 4 |
| Turns: | 40 |
| Type: | Stock |
| First Side: | Crusader Alliance (S&S) |
| Second Side: | Islamic Alliance (S&S) |
Date: July 24th, 1148 - Size: Large - Location: Damascus
Crusade: 2nd Crusade
Scenario Briefing: After many months of hard fighting in Anatolia, both King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of the Holy Roman Empire, were both in Jerusalem as a fulfilment to their crusader vow. King Baldwin III was their host. Though the military purpose of the Crusade was to retake Edessa, King Baldwin at the Council of Acre, convinced them that taking Damascus would be of greater importance. Both from a religious perspective and also a military consideration. And though Damascus and the Kingdom of Jerusalem were technically still allied with one another, it had become apparent that this alliance was no longer viable since the marriage between Mu'in al-Din 'Unar's daughter and Nur ad-Din. With the decision made, the armies of France, Germany and Jerusalem marched toward Damascus. In the Vanguard was Baldwin, then Louis and finally Conrad.
With three Crusader armies comprising over 25,000 combatants, the Emir of Damascus, Mu'in ad-Din Unur, knew that he would need help if he were to prevail. He sent word to Saif ad-Din Ghazi I, the Emir of Mosul, and also to Nur ad-Din Zengi, the Emir of Aleppo. Both answered his plea for help and began their march in late June 1148. When taken as a whole, the Muslim forces would amount to nearly 30,000.
The battle you are about to fight is the first day of a 4-day siege, 24 July 1148. Here we see the Crusaders approaching Damascus from the west. Emir Unur will be fighting alone on this first day, but help would soon arrive.
As the leader of the Crusading army, your first task will be to secure the orchards around Mezzeh. This will be no easy task as the Muslims are waiting and eager to kill Christians. Next, move up your siege engines and take Mezzeh. Once engaged, Conrad III will see an opportunity to leap frog over the army of King Louis and come in behind Baldwin and attack. King Louis will not make it to the battlefield in time, but rest assured, he and his French Crusaders will be fresh for the next day's battle.
As leader of the Muslims, you must defend the orchard and hold back the Crusaders long enough for the Emirs of Aleppo and Mosul to arrive.
Note about the strengths of the armies. The numbers seen here are an average of what was likely to have been available at the time of the siege. Some sources have the Crusaders as high as 50,000 and as low as 15,000. This variance is typical of all the battles of this era. The same is true for the Muslim armies.
Remember, only units that have a strength of 75 or less may use a siege tower to reach a wall hex.
Recommended Rules: [Default]
Can be played as either side against the A/I or Head-to-Head.
Crusade: 2nd Crusade
Scenario Briefing: After many months of hard fighting in Anatolia, both King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of the Holy Roman Empire, were both in Jerusalem as a fulfilment to their crusader vow. King Baldwin III was their host. Though the military purpose of the Crusade was to retake Edessa, King Baldwin at the Council of Acre, convinced them that taking Damascus would be of greater importance. Both from a religious perspective and also a military consideration. And though Damascus and the Kingdom of Jerusalem were technically still allied with one another, it had become apparent that this alliance was no longer viable since the marriage between Mu'in al-Din 'Unar's daughter and Nur ad-Din. With the decision made, the armies of France, Germany and Jerusalem marched toward Damascus. In the Vanguard was Baldwin, then Louis and finally Conrad.
With three Crusader armies comprising over 25,000 combatants, the Emir of Damascus, Mu'in ad-Din Unur, knew that he would need help if he were to prevail. He sent word to Saif ad-Din Ghazi I, the Emir of Mosul, and also to Nur ad-Din Zengi, the Emir of Aleppo. Both answered his plea for help and began their march in late June 1148. When taken as a whole, the Muslim forces would amount to nearly 30,000.
The battle you are about to fight is the first day of a 4-day siege, 24 July 1148. Here we see the Crusaders approaching Damascus from the west. Emir Unur will be fighting alone on this first day, but help would soon arrive.
As the leader of the Crusading army, your first task will be to secure the orchards around Mezzeh. This will be no easy task as the Muslims are waiting and eager to kill Christians. Next, move up your siege engines and take Mezzeh. Once engaged, Conrad III will see an opportunity to leap frog over the army of King Louis and come in behind Baldwin and attack. King Louis will not make it to the battlefield in time, but rest assured, he and his French Crusaders will be fresh for the next day's battle.
As leader of the Muslims, you must defend the orchard and hold back the Crusaders long enough for the Emirs of Aleppo and Mosul to arrive.
Note about the strengths of the armies. The numbers seen here are an average of what was likely to have been available at the time of the siege. Some sources have the Crusaders as high as 50,000 and as low as 15,000. This variance is typical of all the battles of this era. The same is true for the Muslim armies.
Remember, only units that have a strength of 75 or less may use a siege tower to reach a wall hex.
Recommended Rules: [Default]
Can be played as either side against the A/I or Head-to-Head.
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