From Our Own Correspondent: Part 2 Kate Aide reports “A Biblical Epic”

From Our Own Correspondent: Part 2 

Kate Aide reports “A Biblical Epic”

Continuing the Battle of Hannahon, in the south of modern day Lebanon, in the low lands just north of the plains of Megiddo; a wargame using Impetus rules; a later Hebrew army, with Syrian-Aramaean allies stands in the way of a Neo-Hittite Army from the north.

All views are from the North, Hittite side of the field.

The initial moves have closed the ground between the armies and committed the commands to their targets. The battle is now to unfold; opportunities exposed, gambles taken, domination sought, forces shattered, spears broken...

The Hebrew King at the centre, rode forth with his body guard, all mounted in Heavy Chariots, outdistancing the light foot in the rough ground. The Light chariots and camels, on the Hittite right flank, seeing this chink appear, themselves dashed forward across the face of the gathered hoards of Hebrew tribesmen. Their infantry were trying to close the gap that was opening to the flank of the mounted troops.

As they advanced, the Aramaean light chariots to the east are disordered by arrows shot from the elite Hittite chariots [the brown "dust clouds" are used to indicate disorder].

Now, in turn 5, the armies meet hand to hand.

In the clash to the east, the Hittite Light chariots act quickly to capitalise on the weakness of the Hebrew Heavy chariots when trying to hold their ground, but misjudge the extent of the rough ground (impenetrable to chariots), and take losses from both chariot mounted, bow armed elite and foot archers. The Camels move easily into the rough ground to shield the Chariot flank.

But the strike is indecisive and, with disorder on both sides all along this part of the line, the initiative passes to the opposing Hebrew forces.

whilst the Hebrew left flank, teeters in the balance, at the far side of the battle, the Hittite nobles sweep aside the rag-tag Aramaean chariots, leaving the Syrian, Aramaean foot disordered and exposed.

With little strength left to keep them in the field, the Aramaean foot fight aggressively; light foot race forward to desperately engage the hesitant, Hittite nobles and disorder them and inflict further losses. 

But it is not enough and the next turn, it is the Aramaean command that breaks.

With the Hittite left flank victorious but weakened, Hebrew light chariots from the centre race to engage the remaining Hittite Light Chariots.

The counter-strike by the heavy, Hebrew chariots to the West,and the relentless rain of arrows and javelins form the infantry, break the Hittite mounted, although with some significant losses of their own

The next turn, the Hittite command to the east fails its cohesion test, is broken and flees. The Hebrew tribes emerge from the rough gullies and run forward, triumphant.

Now, in desperation, the mighty Hittite centre moves forward. The Hebrew Gibborim are positioned in the rough ground, screened by sling armed skirmishers. The hill has a the tough Philistine mercenary spearmen with archers to their flank.

the Hebrew tribes try to dash across the battlefield to themselves threaten the Hittite centre, but the wheel is slow

Surprised by the aggression of the Gibborim, the Hittite king is unable to call the charge in time and his chariots receive losses and are disordered.

the Hittite “Super-weapon” is broken. The King remains amid the disordered casualties of his elite bodyguard. 

All senses scream that the battle is within the Hebrew's grasp. Their light chariots to the West risk everything and press forward, with sacrificial zeal to engage the great lines of Hittite infantry; but are able to tip the balance decisively!

And so, Kate Aide, somewhat south of war-torn Beirut, gets her piece, reporting the tragedy as it happens.

The Hittites flee northward. One strike south has met with ruin, but the key trading super-highway from Aleppo and all points North and East, to Raphia and all points South and West, remains a bleached bone of contention in the desert for time to come...