Arsuf: Lionheart vs. Saladin

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 committed 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
by E.R. Bickford
Production:
Lise’ Patterson
© 2013 Decision Games
Bakersfield, CA.
AAR of Arsuf:
Lionheart vs. Saladin
Overview of the Battle
This battle is part of the Third Crusade.
The Crusaders have already captured
Acre and have the intent of capturing
Jerusalem. Thinking that he would
need to capture Jaffa to make an attack
on Jerusalem feasible, Richard the
Lionhearted began a march down the
coast from Acre. Richard’s counterpart
was Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt
and Syria, who was determined to
prevent the capture of Jerusalem.
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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 flank. 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.
Otherwise, the victory will be marginal
essentially based on loss points.
The Crusaders will try to learn from
their past lessons (the battle of Hattin),
and move slowly and methodically, keeping tight formations. This
will protect the baggage trains.
Hopefully these will pass into Arsuf.
Richard I is leading the forces in the
center. Henry and Robert de Sablé
are with the vanguard. Guy and
Hugh command the rearguard.
A1
Arsuf: Lionheart vs. Saladin
Turn 1
The Muslim player is the first player
throughout this game. Saladin continues with his ambush plan. On turn
one, Gobkori brings the Syrian division
around the southern flank to cut the
Crusaders off from their intended
easy passage to Arsuf. Meanwhile,
Saladin and Tariq threaten Richard’s
central position with the Mamluks.
In the north, Shirkuk and Taqi press
forward, but also are charged with
protecting the Muslim camps. The
Crusaders collect 20 VP for entering
the camp during the course of the
game. There is no contact yet.
The Crusaders begin their movement
toward Arsuf. Although Arsuf is a
ruined city, there still stood defensible
walls and a port, hence, Richard’s
plan to move his baggage trains and
A2
supplies to the city. On turn one, the
Crusader player focuses on advancing
toward the city. Since the baggage
moves only two hexes per turn, it
will take 8 of the 10 turns to get them
there, even if unhindered. The trains
head for the road, which greatly
facilitates (doubles) their movement.
Unfortunately, this places them closer
to danger from the Muslim army.
Turn 2
On the north flank, Shirkuk decides
that there is no sense waiting around.
He launches into contact with the some
of the mounted men from Jerusalem.
Several of the light infantry fire
their archery in defense. These light
infantry troops have a range of two
which gives them a little advantage
over the Muslims. Unfortunately,
nothing hits. The Turcopole units are
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mounted archers so they get one shot
to disorder their attackers. Since the hit
number is a “one” it is not surprising
that there is no effect. Shirkuk and his
Egyptian cavalry shock attack, and
both are repulsed and retreated.
In the center, Tariq leads the Mamluks
into the Crusader infantry. The
archery fire has limited effect again,
but two of the Mamluk formations
become disrupted. The others charge.
These attacks are unsuccessful. Some
of the Mamluks remain engaged,
while others are forced to retreat.
On the southern flank, Gobkori
leads the Syrian division against a
formation of cavalry from Jerusalem.
The Turcopole unit retreats before
combat, because it would have been
an auto elimination to do otherwise.
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 progress 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
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A3
Arsuf: Lionheart vs. Saladin
results. One of the Muslim units is
caught in an attack without a clear
retreat path and is eliminated. The key
area of the battlefield, which is developing, is the southern flank facing Arsuf.
Here, both Henry and Robert are facing
Gobkori and the Syrian division. Most
of Gobkori’s forces retreat after being
repulsed in combat. One unit is eliminated in an exchange result which also
wrecks a Crusader infantry formation.
In the van, Henry and Robert renew
their attacks on the enemy. The
Muslims are still blocking the approach
to Arsuf. An exchange of archery
volleys yields some success. In the end,
the Crusaders push the Muslims back,
partially opening the way to Arsuf.
In the center, Guy and the Poitevan
Knights attack the Muslim skirmishers.
These attempt a Karr-wa-farr (a feigned
retreat to entice the Crusaders out of
line) hoping to surround Guy’s knights.
This fails, however, and the Muslim
skirmishers retreat before combat.
Guy of Lusignan safely advances.
Farther north, Hugh attacks one of
A4
Shirkuk’s units and it disintegrates.
None of the Crusaders recover during
reorganization, but one of the heavy
infantry formations does rally.
Turn 4
I strikes the western part of the
Muslim position. Saladin is pushed
back. Nablus engages Shirkuk in the
rear. This has mixed results, but one
Egyptian formation is destroyed.
Turn 5
On the south flank, the Syrians attack
again. The archers have no effect
here but Gobkori successfully drives
back Henry’s and Robert’s forces.
Then both Saladin and Tariq strike
the southern position from the
east. Miraculously, this pushes the
Crusaders backwards into their central
area. Farther north, the Egyptians
strike Avesnes and Guy. Both are
retreated toward the coastal road. In
the north, Shirkuk gets an exchange
and takes out some of the Knights
Templar, while Nablus and the Knights
Hospitaller are driven southward.
Although Saladin’s Army has lost
a lot of strength, they still have the
Crusaders cut off from Arsuf and there
is some hope of knocking out more
units. In the south, Gobkori launches
another round of hit and run strikes
against Robert and Henry’s formations.
Most of the attacks are repulsed,
however. Next, Saladin and Tariq attack
Richard in the center. Some of the
Muslim archery volleys are effective.
Although outnumbered, the Muslim
forces gain some ground, but a Mamluk
heavy cavalry unit is eliminated.
The Crusaders’ baggage train
advances into a dangerous position.
The Crusaders in the south perform
successful archery fire and disorder
some Muslim units. Both Henry and
Robert gain ground. Then Richard
Taqi orders the Kurds to attack in the
north. The archers are unsuccessful
on both sides, but an exchange result
takes out some of the Crusaders’
heavy infantry. The other attacks
in the north are successful. The
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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.
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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. None
of Gobkori’s Syrian archers disrupt
the knights. Robert’s Templars crush
the Syrian cavalry. Then Henry and
the English knights take out a second
cavalry formation. Richard also
pushes forward as the Syrians retreat.
However, the infantry on Richard’s
left flank are repulsed and fall back.
Turn 6
On the north flank, Shirkuk and Taqi
both decide to fall back to regroup.
These formations head eastward
toward the Muslim Camp. There are no
engagements over there. Meanwhile
A6
Tariq and Saladin attempt to maneuver
around the Crusaders’ southern flank.
This is only partly successful. At the
least, the Muslim units break contact
with the enemy. In the south, Gobkori
attempts some desperate attacks. The
die rolling is poor and two Attacker
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In the northern area of the battlefield,
the Duke of Burgundy launches an
attack to threaten the Muslim camp.
The position is still defended by Taqi
and Shirkuk’s Kurds. The French and
Norman knights charge the Muslim
position. Archers fling their arrows
to no avail. A large body of Kurd and
Egyptian units are wiped out. One of
the Crusaders’ heavy infantry units
succumbs as well. Things are beginning to look bleak for the Muslims.
Turn 7
In the northern section of the map,
Shirkuk is trying to preserve his force
(and himself). Taqi decides to take
on a few of the Crusader infantry.
Two attacks are launched. These are
both successful, but only manage to
push the infantry back. The Muslim
position is no better off for it. In the
southern battlefield, Saladin’s division
attempts to gain position. Richard’s
knights are parried. Gobkori attacks
with his Syrian cavalry and punches
a hole in the Crusader vanguard.
The baggage trains are in plain sight
now, but can Gobkori get there to loot
anything? The Muslim player rallies
another unit from the dead pile.
Henry and the English Knights attack
Gobkori and his Syrian formation. The
attack dislodges the Muslims. Gobkori
falls back and the baggage is safe again.
The Egyptian cavalry are eliminated
on Richard’s left flank. Although the
Muslim player has lost a lot of men, the
Crusaders haven’t got into Arsuf yet.
On the northern part of the battlefield,
Avesnes strikes a group of Kurdish
troops which fall back. The Egyptian
cavalry to the west are hit by Guy and
his Norman Knights. This Muslim cavalry unit is surrounded and destroyed.
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Turn 8
Both Taqi and Shirkuk fall back
farther toward the Muslim camp. It
doesn’t look like the Crusaders are
planning to raid it though. In the
A7
Arsuf: Lionheart vs. Saladin
the Norman Knights. Hugh has more
success as the Muslim units retire.
The Crusaders fail their rally die roll.
Turn 9
Both Shirkuk and Taqi move toward
the Muslim camp, pulling the
Crusaders’ troops toward the base.
There is no contact so no fighting.
Near Arsuf, the Mamluk Division, led
by Saladin, redoubles its defensive
efforts. The Mamluks attack and force
one of the Poitevan Knights back in
retreat and then take out the knights
on the Crusaders’ right flank.
The Crusaders push back. Near
Arsuf, Richard I and Henry launch
another attack. This has the effect
of pushing the Mamluk forces back
toward the ruins of Arsuf. There is
no real progress and it looks like the
baggage will not make it to the fortress
today. If that is the case, it will yield
20 VP to the Muslims. But will that
be enough to counter the Muslim
losses? In the north, Hugh and Guy
wipe out more of the Kurdish and
Egyptian Divisions. The Crusaders
fail their rally die roll again.
Turn 10
Taqi and Shirkuk resume their
delaying action toward the Muslim
camp. It seems as though this delaying tactic has worked. The camp
likely will be safe until the Crusaders
break off. In the south, near the
ruins of Arsuf, Saladin redoubles his
efforts. One of the Knights Templar
formations is eliminated, while
other attacks force the Crusaders to
retreat. The Muslims fail to rally.
south, Saladin deploys the Mamluk
Division to prevent the Crusaders
from getting into the Arsuf fortress.
The Mamluk attacks go well. Although
no Crusader units are destroyed,
they are pushed back and one suffers
disorder. There are no attacks in the
northern portion of the battlefield.
A8
The Crusaders are running out of time.
Henry attacks along the main roadway
leading to Arsuf. He has measured
success and the Muslim units fall
back. On the eastern side of the road,
Richard’s divisions closes in. Most of
the Muslim cavalry are pushed away
but one unit is destroyed as its retreat
path is cut off. On the north battlefield,
Guy is repulsed as he charges with
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Richard launches some attacks near
Arsuf. Not much ground is gained,
but the Muslims suffer terrific losses.
Hugh and Guy attack in the north near
the Muslim camp. They will not get
into the camp today, however. Taqi
and Shirkuk order the archers to fire
but nothing hits. The knights charge.
Taqi is killed and his formation is
eliminated. Then Shirkuk is hit and his
forces are destroyed as well. Somehow
Shirkuk escapes the wrath of the
knights. The Crusaders make their
last rally attempt and fail yet again.
Summary & Analysis
This is the end of the game. All of
the baggage trains are safe, but they
haven’t made it to Arsuf. This gives the
Muslim player 20 VP. The Crusaders
never really got to the Muslim camp
so there goes 20 VP that could have
been taken by them. Unfortunately
for them, the Muslims have lost 101
strength points (plus 5 VP for the death
of Taqi). Yikes! The Crusaders score
106 VP for this. The Crusaders have
suffered only 30 strength point losses.
Added to the 20 VP for the safety of the
four baggage wagons, the Crusaders
still have a 2-1 VP advantage, so I would
say they won. According to the rules
it would be only a marginal victory.
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