Kadesh - Turn One

The starting position, with the Egyptian Re corps having just spotted the approaching massed chariots

Reg orders all his units to turn to face the Hittite attack.

Bowmen, even those in open order, cannot turn and shoot, but open-order troops armed with javelins have no such restriction, so Reg sends the Amarna forward 12cm. His move-variation die lands as a 6, which means they advance a further 25%, ie 3cm, but this is still not quite enough to put them in range of the leading Hittites (firing measurements are taken from the front-centre of the shooters' bases).

However, Pharoah's Royal Chariot Squadron, being formed of bow-armed light chariots, can turn, advance and shoot, and is in range of the leading right-flank Hittites (under my modified version of Neil Thomas's biblical rules, mounted bows have a range of 20cm).

But the shock of having been suddenly confronted by an enemy thought to be many miles away seems to affect the charioteers' aim as they roll 4, 3, 2, 1 (5+ is required for a hit).

Situation after the Egyptian half-turn

I start my half-turn by sending the Allied heavy squadron in the first row to charge the Kush archers.

The distance between them is such that the chariots would fail to reach the bowmen if a move-variation roll of 1 occurred, but I avoid that, and only troops armed with javelins are allowed a special round of defensive fire when being charged, so we get straight down to the melee.

Heavy chariots against open-order infantry receive three dice per base, and they roll an extra die per base in the first round, so that means 16 dice in all. I manage a very pleasing eight hits, none of which is saved (Reg fails to roll a single 6 - the score needed for troops with light protection).

Enough of the hits are resolved as losing a base to ensure the Amarna are wiped out, but before they are removed from the table, they get to roll their melee dice - one per base. However, they inflict no hits.

My right-flank Allied light squadron in the front row manoeuvres away from the Egyptian javelinmen, and shoots at the Karnak biblical infantry, scoring one hit. It is not saved (Reg rolls one short of the 5 required by troops with medium protection), and is resolved as the Karnak falling back 3cm.

The other front-row Allied light squadron advances a short distance and shoots at the Tharn biblical infantry, but fails to score a hit.

The Allied heavy squadron in the second row moves forward to the left (straight ahead is blocked by friends). Since that involves deviating more than 30°, it loses half its movement allowance, meaning the squadron advances only 10cm, but this is boosted 2.5cm thanks to move-variation.

The Hittite heavy squadron in the second row turns and advances towards the Egyptian javelinmen. They cannot reach the latter, but hope to get support next turn from the Hittite reserve, which I order to start crossing the Orontes.

A hole has been punched in the Egyptian line