Chariots left, right, and centre

Yesterday, I played a remote wargame with Jon from Palouse Wargaming Journal. We played the a scenario, Battle of Tel Nebi Mend 1274 BCE, devised by Jon and a game between the Hatti and Egyptians. The scenario interestingly had terrain in the center of the tabletop that gave the army holding it an advantage to their army resolve. 

A close up of the game taken by Jon. The rest of the photos are screen shots and don’t do the painted figures justice. 

We used a variation of the Basic Impetus rules, modified by Jon to use a hex grid. Jon may have made some additional modifications to the rules for chariots, but I'm not sure.

Jon had sent me a QRS and an overview of the scenario with the orders of battle earlier in the week. I chose to play the Hatti because their starting position was closer to the heights. I haven't read much or know much about the biblical period, the only other game I've played in this period was another remote game with Jon, where I used the Assyrians and some heavy chariots.

The opening turn of the game.

I took some screen shots of the game as it progressed, but the units are hard to see and tracking the actions of the fast moving chariots is difficult. The photos don't really capture the to and fro action of the game. After the game, Jon and I talked about how there aren't many records from this time period and that the ones we have were written by the victors with much hyperbole and symbolism to make themselves look good. So, with that idea in may head, here is a game report written with full on exaggeration and symbolism to reflect the period.

Game Report (of sorts)…

In the the hills of Tel Nebi Mend situated not far from the mighty lake Homs, the fate of two empires hung in the balance. On one side, the Egyptians, led by their pharaoh Jonses II, marched forth like a lion leading his pride. On the other side, the Hatti army, led by their cunning king Peteratalli II, massed his forces like a swarm of locusts.

The battle began with the Hatti taking the central high ground followed by a clash of chariots, their wheels churning up the dust like a whirlwind on the flanks. The Egyptians charged with the fury of a storm, their arrows flying like a swarm of bees. The Hatti met them head-on, their chariots clashing like thunderbolts.

A view are the initial chariot encounters and the Hatti infantry have control of the heights.

For hours the battle raged, with neither side able to gain an advantage. The Egyptians fought with the strength of lions, but the Hatti were as cunning as serpents. The ground was soaked with blood, and the air was filled with the cries of the dying.

The Egyptian chariots were proving very effective on their right flank after an initial setback.

At one point, it seemed that the Hatti army would prevail. Their chariots had broken through the Egyptian lines, and their long speared infantry was closing in. But then, Jonses II himself rallied his troops. They fought like a possessed men under his gaze, inspiring their fellow soldiers to new heights of valour.

The battle had become somewhat chaotic with both looking for that elusive opportunity to capitalise on any opening.

The Egyptians turned the tide of the battle, and the Hatti were forced to retreat. The Hatti regrouped, sensing the battle slipping away. Their king knew that one last desperate throw of the dice was required. He and his chariots made a furious charge, scattering the Egyptian right flank like chaff before the wind. 

The Hatti king with his chariot begins his charge on the Egyptian right flank.

After multiple pursuits the Hatti king is slain by Egyptian spearmen.

King Peteratalli II pursued the fleeting Egyptians, his chariot like a scythe cutting through their ranks. But as he rode into their centre, an Egyptian spear pierced his heart. The Hatti king fell, his body lifeless in the dust. With their leader gone, the Hatti resolve evaporated. Jonses II, the pharaoh of Egypt, saw his opportunity and took it, leading his army in a relentless pursuit, driving the Hatti before him.

The Hatti fled in terror, their once-mighty army broken and routed. Jonses II stood upon the heights of Tel Nebi Mend, his sword raised in victory. He had defeated the Hatti, and secured Egypt's dominance in the region.

Summary…

The long lost battle report of Jonses II unearthed.

The game took about 3.5 hours to play and was very close. Both players tried to get the initiative throughout the game to capitalise on any advantage they had. The chariots were very great fun to play with, but they were also difficult to manage once they lost a melee and retreated often in the wrong direction. But that was all part of the fun. 

Congratulations and well played to Jon, or should that be Jonses II of the Palouse?