PAPERSOLDIERS JOURNAL: 1105 - 3rd BATTLE OF RAMLA - CRUSADERS vs MUSLIMS (Second Part)

At the end of the year 2022 I started to write a post concerning the 3rd Battle of Ramla. Meanwhile, I was also preparing - as usual - my template; likewise, as usual I interrupted my work (both the post and the templates) and I prepared around 200 Fatimid Cavalry and all passed to other interests. Then I come back - by chance - to my previous passion and I decide to continue the work I started almost one year ago.

We were at the moment the Crusaders' Knight attacked the center of the Fatimid Infantry in the center of the array. The Chistian attack was repulsed by the Sudanese Infantry and had to fall back.

Picture Nr. 16

It immediatly followed a counter - attack (picture Nr. 17) of the Sudanese Infantry. It should be more considered as a little attempt to follow up the Crusaders Knights, just in order to push them back but without a real intention to engage a fight, considering that infantry not in defensive position would have been an easy target for the heavy armoured Christian knights.

Picture Nr. 17

At the very same time both cavalry wings of the Fatimid Army started a movement towards outside, in order to encircle the Crusader Army (picture Nr. 18).

Picture Nr. 18

In the meanwhile, I restarted also with templates and this time with Crusaders. Here the Standard-beared of the King Baldovinus I. It is very intersting to note that the Fatimids in the moment they repelled the cavalry attack of the Crusaders started a total attack with 2 cavalry wings moving forwards and the center as well in an attempt to put under pressure the Christian Army

Picture Nr. 19

The Fatimid Cavalry (on the left, Picture 19 above) split in two (considering the Battle already won) and a consistent but minor part of the Cavalry detached in direction of the Town of Jaffa in order to plunder it; in this way the dimished the forces on the left side.

Picture Nr. 20

In the meanwhile the Crusaders cavalry run backwards behind the line of the infantry to find shelter in the position A (Picture Nr. 20) and to restore and get ready to the new manoeuver (new position in Picture Nr. 21).

In the meanwhile the Seljuqs cavalry (on the right of the Fatimid array) moved to finish the encerclement movement (Picture Nr. 21).

Picture Nr. 21

At this crucial point of the Battle, (Picture Nr. 22) the King Baldovinus I gave order to the Crusade Army to deploy to face the Seljuqs Cavalry and to attack them (letters C and D), with just some units (letters A and B) to control the other two sides. Even if there is no source explaining in details how this happened I do think that Baldovinus adopted the same scheme that he adopeted at the beginning of the fight. i.e. infrantry as shelter to the recovering cavalry, and then opening passages to let cavalry go through and attack. It is also very probable that once the cavalry impacted on the Seljuqs cavalry the Christian infantry followed the cavalry, in order to achieve a total predominance in numbers and destroy the Fatimid right wings.

Picture Nr. 22

At this point of the battle (Picture Nr. 23), once destroyed the Seljuqs right wing Baldovinus I ordered an immediate turnback (180°) of his troops to attack, as fast as possible the left wing of the Fatimid array done by Fatimid cavalry (Picture Nr 24).

Picture Nr. 23

Picture Nr. 24

And here bottom a Knight (German, with already some Oriental influences) from the same template:

Picture nr. 24

In the above map (nr. 24) he drew the retreat of the left wing of the Fatimid Army, and also the (clever) decision of King Baldovinus I not to pursue them but to turn immediatly his cavalry towards the Infantry center (still intact), ordering meanwhile his infantry (as well still not very engaged in the battle) to close up towards the Fatimid Infantry.

Picture nr 25
The Crusaders forces close up to the Fatimid Infantry

Picture nr. 26 - Details

In the pictures 25 and 26 it is possible to have a view on the attack on the Fatimid Infantry. Due to the previous array it is probable that the Christian Army attacked all togheter with (now) an overwhelming superiority in numbers, with part (left) with cavalry and part (right) with infantry.