Summing Up Our Refight Of Charles Grant's Battle Of Kadesh

THIS was a decisive victory for the Hittites, with the Re corps swept from the battlefield, much as its real-life predecessor was in 1274 BC.

In the real battle, fighting continued, with the Hittites attacking Pharoah's camp and the Amun corps, both sides eventually claiming to have triumphed.

But that part of the action was not in Grant's scenario, which ended rather indecisively with the Hittites having lost more than a third of their chariots, although Re also suffered many casualties.

My opponent and I agreed our refight was a lot of fun, and, although it may be immodest of me to say so, my modified version of Neil Thomas's biblical rules from Ancient & Medieval Wargaming resulted in what felt to us to be a realistic encounter, considering the situation of the two forces, and an enjoyably fast-paced one.

Battlefield at the end, with two of the four remaining Egyptian units facing imminent elimination

Kadesh - Turn Five

Nightfall is four turns away, so will probably come too late to save the Egyptians

I win the dice-off (5-1) to decide who goes first, and start by sending my elite heavy chariots on the Hittite left into the Carchemish biblical infantry. One die per base, plus one more for being chariots in the first round of a melee, means eight dice for my men, and I score two hits. One is saved; the other resolved as forcing the Egyptians back 3cm.

They are then charged my other left-flank heavy chariots, whose eight dice also score two hits, none of which is saved, and both result in the Carchemish losing a base. That means two morale tests - they pass one, but fail the other, losing a third base.

The Carchemish fail to score an unsaved hit in either melee.

The Kush archers are charged by my two-base heavy squadron, which receives three dice per base, plus the usual chariot charge bonus, meaning eight dice in all, but only one hit is inflicted, and that is resolved as forcing the bowmen back 3cm.

The Kush's four dice score two hits, but both are saved.

Outside the walls of Kadesh, my three-base heavy squadron charges Pharoah's Royal Chariot Squadron. Being heavy chariots against light, my men receive three dice per base, plus the die-per-base bonus for being chariots in the first round of a melee. I score two hits. Neither is saved, but the Egyptians again do not lose a base, instead falling back 6cm.

The Egyptians receive one die per base, plus the bonus die-per-base. Reg scores two hits. One is saved, and the other forces my Hittites back 3cm - a chariot stand-off!

The isolated Ka archers are shot at by the Allied light squadron nearest them, losing a base, and a second base to poor morale.

My other light squadron wheels and shoots at the same target, but without success.

Finally, two heavy squadrons - one with three bases, the other with one - close in on the Ka.

Bird's-eye view of the battlefield

With defeat inevitable, and three-and-a-half turns before nightfall can intervene, Reg concedes.

 

Kadesh - Turn Four

This turn could conceivably see the Egyptians fall below half-strength (in units) and so lose the battle

Reg wins the dice-off (6-2) to determine who goes first.

He starts with the ongoing melee between the two-base Karnak biblical infantry and my one-base heavy chariot squadron. I do not score a hit, but the Egyptian unit (or, rather, Reg on its behalf) continues with incredible dice rolling, again getting two 6s. However, one hit is saved, and the other 'only' results in the charioteers being forced back 3cm. The Karnak cannot follow up as, although my men were forced back, they did not actually lose that round of fighting since no base was eliminated.

Pharoah's Royal Chariot Squadron, menaced by two Hittite squadrons, heads towards the Orontes, then swings round and shoots at my elite squadron, scoring a hit, but it is saved.

The Ka archers shoot at the Hittite squadron nearest them, scoring two hits. One is saved, but the other causes my men to lose a base, although the charioteers' morale remains steady.

The Kush archers shoot at the chariots nearest them, scoring two hits, one of which is saved, and the other resolved as causing my squadron to fall back 3cm.

Finally, Reg leaves the Carchemish biblical infantry where they are,

The Egyptians are hanging on, but now it is the Hittites' go

I start by ordering my right-flank elite heavy chariots to turn and charge the Egyptian light chariots. Despite losing half their movement allowance for turning, my men are just able to reach the enemy, with Reg cursing himself for having been so careless as to allow this to happen.

Heavy chariots roll three dice per base against light chariots, and there is the die-per-base bonus that chariots always get in the first round of a melee. That means 16 dice in all, and I manage to roll four hits, only one of which is saved. However, all three remaining hits are resolved as forcing the Egyptians back, rather than losing bases, and so they withdraw 9cm.

Meanwhile, Pharoah's squadron in the melee receives one die per base, plus the die-per-base bonus, and Reg rolls three hits, two of which are saved, but the third causes my men to lose a base.

I send my furthest-right heavy chariots to try to outflank the Ka archers.

Meanwhile, one of the Allied light-chariot squadrons advances on the Ka from the front and shoots, but without inflicting casualties.

The other Allied light squadron veers right and shoots at the Karnak biblical infantry, scoring three hits, only one of which is saved. The remaining two are both resolved as the loss of a base, which means the Karnak become the fourth Egyptian unit to be eliminated.

My two-base heavy chariots opposite the Kush archers are able to tack left and charge the bowmen. They receive three dice per base, plus one more per base for being chariots in the first turn of a melee. I roll two hits - one is saved, and the other is resolved as the Kush falling back 3cm.

King Muwatalli II and my elite heavy chariots on the Hittite left, opposite the Carchemish biblical infantry, should be able to charge them, but move-variation causes the squadron to lose 25% of its movement allowance, meaning the charioteers come up just short.

However, the other heavy squadron opposite the Carchemish suffer no such misfortune, and so, despite starting from further away than my elite squadron, crash into the Egyptian infantry. My men receive one die per base in this match-up, plus the die-per-base bonus for being chariots in the first round of a melee, and score two hits, but both are saved.

The Carchemish roll one die per base, scoring a hit, which is not saved, and is resolved as forcing my men back 3cm.

Fighting is getting close to the outskirts of Kadesh

Kadesh - Turn Three

All Hittite chariots have now crossed the Orontes

View from Kadesh

I win the dice-off (3-1) to determine who goes first, and start with my far-right chariots, which charge the Amarna, and this time, since the javelinmen are less than 8cm away, there is no question of defensive fire.

Heavy chariots against open-order infantry receive three dice per base, and there is an extra die per base for this being the first round of a melee. I score five hits, only one of which is saved. Three of the hits are resolved as the loss of a base, and the fourth forces a 3cm withdrawal. However, a morale test has to be taken for each base lost, and, although the Amarna, despite being levy, pass two of the tests, the third causes the unit to lose its final base, meaning the Egyptians have now lost two of their eight units.

My light chariots opposite the Ka archers shoot at the latter, scoring a magnificent three hits. One is saved, but the other two are resolved as forcing the Ka back a total of 6cm.

I next choose to resolve the ongoing melee involving the Karnak biblical infantry. Both sides receive one die per base, and there is no bonus to my charioteers as this is not the first round of hand-to-hand-fighting. I score two hits with my four bases, and the Karnak, despite only having two bases, score a hit. None of the hits is saved. The two I inflict are resolved as forcing the Karnak back 6cm, but the one hit my men suffer causes the loss of a base.

My other squadron of light chariots shoots at the Tharn biblical infantry, scoring two hits, none of which is saved. One hit causes the loss of a base, the other forces the Tharn to withdraw 3cm, but they also fail a morale test, losing a second base.

The unfortunate Tharn are then charged by the three-base Allied heavy chariots that just failed to make contact with them last turn. I roll 5, 1, 1 - one hit; Reg rolls 4, 4 - no hits. However, Reg has better luck by rolling a 6 for the saving throw, meaning the Tarn escape further harm.

Of the three squadrons that have just crossed the Orontes, two veer left, and one heads towards Pharoah's Royal Chariot Squadron.

With the second wave of Hittite chariots about to join the action, things are looking grim for the Egyptians

Reg orders Pharoah's chariots to shoot at the elite Hittite chariots bearing down on them. The Egyptians score two hits, but I save them both.

The Ka archers return fire at the Allied light chariots that forced them to fall back earlier this turn. The Ka score two hits, and neither is saved. Both are resolved as forcing my men back 3cm, ie 6cm in all, which can be done, without bumping into friendly troops, although they have to deviate slightly, but less than 30°, from moving straight back.

The Karnak biblical infantry are ordered to attack the chariots that have just forced them back. Reg rolls 6, 6 - two hits! One is saved, but the other causes the loss of a base, and a further base is lost when my men, apparently surprised by the Karnak's audacity, fail a morale test. But first my men get to roll three dice for having three bases in a melee against biblical infantry, and a further three dice for it being the first round of a new melee. I roll only one hit, and it is saved, so the fight between these two units has unexpectedly swung in favour of the infantry.

The other chariots-v-biblical-infantry melee continues, with the Tharn inflicting no hits, but suffering two, neither of which is saved, and both cause the loss of a base, thus eliminating the Tharn, and meaning the Egyptians have now lost three units.

A slight consolation for the Egyptians is that the elimination of the Tharn gives the Kush archers a clear sight of the Hittite squadron that destroyed the Tharn. Reg succeeds in rolling two hits, of which one is saved. The other causes the loss of a base, but the charioteers' morale holds firm.

Finally, the Carchemish biblical infantry pivot slightly to better face the fast-approaching Hittite chariots, but otherwise can do no more than await their fate.

The Egyptian Re corps is getting swept away, rather as happened in the historical battle (the one fought in 1274 BC, that is, rather than Charles Grant's refight)

Kadesh - Turn Two

Situation after turn one

Reg wins the dice-off (2-1, after a 2-2 tie) to see who goes first, and starts by ordering the Amarna to hurl javelins at the Hittite squadron bearing down on them. A hit is scored, and is not saved, but is resolved as my men falling back 3cm.

The Egyptian chariots shoot at the same target, also scoring a hit, but it is saved (I rolled the minimum necessary for heavy chariots, a 4).

The Ka archers shoot at the light-chariot squadron nearest them, but unsuccessfully.

The Karnak biblical infantry turn and advance on the furthest-forward Hittite squadron. Thanks to changing their direction by more than 30°, their 8cm move is halved, and, despite getting a move-variation bonus (Reg rolled a 6), they cannot quite make contact with my chariots.

On the extreme right of the Egyptian line, the yellow-shielded Carchemish biblical infantry turn slightly inwards (less than 30°) and advance, but drag their heels, only covering 6cm (thanks to move-variation).

The Kush archers next to the Carchemish shoot at the heavy-chariot squadron to their front, rolling 5, 5, 3, 2 - two hits. One hit is saved, but the other is resolved as the loss of a base - the first Hittite casualties.

That means a morale test has to be taken, and since the squadron is of average quality, I need to roll 4+ to avoid losing a further base, and I do roll the bare minimum.

Finally, the Tharn biblical infantry advance 8cm.

My chariots should have some juicy targets in the coming half-turn

I start with my lead squadron wheeling to charge into the Karnak biblical infantry.

Both sides get one die per base, but my men receive an extra die per base for being chariots in the first round of a melee. I score two hits to the Egyptians' none. One of the hits is saved, but the other is resolved as the loss of a base. This forces a morale test, which results in another base being lost.

My squadron facing the Amarna javelinmen charge them, but, because the charioteers were forced to fall back 3cm at the start of this turn, the charge covers more than 8cm, which means the javelinmen are allowed defensive fire. They score two hits, neither of which is saved, but both are resolved as the squadron falling back 6cm - no casualties, but the charge does not strike home.

The righthand Allied light chariots wheel slightly and shoot at the Ka archers, inflicting a hit, which is not saved, and the Ka are forced to withdraw 3cm.

The other Allied light chariots shoot at the Tharn biblical infantry directly to their front, also inflicting a hit, but this time it is saved.

The heavy-chariot squadron that lost a base earlier this turn, swerves towards the Tharn with the intention of charging them. The Tharn are just within 10cm of my unit, but move-variation (on top of losing half the normal move allowance for turning) means my men only cover 7.5cm, and so come up just short.

Finally, my reserve wave finishes crossing the Orontes.

Very much not the bloodthirsty half-turn I expected

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

Kadesh - Final Points

COMMANDING against me in this refight of Charles Grant's Battle of Kadesh from Ancient Battles For Wargamers will be my regular opponent ('Reg') who, as the guest, gets to choose which side to take, and he has chosen the Egyptians.

Normally we would roll to see who goes first, and we will do so on subsequent turns, but part of Grant's scenario is that the Egyptians have time to react to the Hittites' approach, so, for turn one, the Egyptians go first, which will give their units time to turn to face the onslaught, rather than being charged in flank.

This can be rationalised as the Hittites having already gone first, before the scenario starts, in suddenly emerging on the Egyptians' flank.

All ready for the clash of arms, looking south from the city of Kadesh

The Hittite chariots on the west bank of the Orontes will take one turn to enter the river, and a second to reach dry land on the other side.

The Re commander will be part of the Egyptian chariot squadron, while Hittite King Muwatalli II will be with the blue-liveried elite chariots on the west bank of the Orontes.

But What Of Amun, Ptah And The Rest?

WHILE the Hittite chariots attack the Re corps, what are the rest of the Egyptians doing?

Remember, Re is just one corps - there were also the equally strong corps of Amun, Ptah and Sutekh, plus Ramesses II and his Sherden bodyguard, and the mysterious Ne'arin, somewhere near the Mediterranean coast.

Charles Grant's answer to this question, in Ancient Battles For Wargamers, was that a messenger from Re would reach Amun in six turns.

Allowing a further turn for the information to be digested, Pharoah could set out with his Amun chariots on turn eight, arriving on the battlefield on turn 13.

Grant had decided that the battle, starting in the afternoon, would last for 15 turns under Wargames Research Group rules, so in effect help from Amun would arrive too late.

Under my modified version of Neil Thomas's biblical rules in Ancient & Medieval Wargaming, a battle can last 15 turns before nightfall (at least in summer).

This battle is being fought in May, and, as it starts in the afternoon, I guess it can last a maximum of eight turns.

So in my refight, a messenger from Re to Amun might take three turns to arrive, rather than six, but again reinforcements are unlikely to arrive in time to have any effect, so can be ignored.

Looking from above the first row of Hittite chariots as they close in on the Egyptian column

Kadesh - The Battlefield & Initial Dispositions

Looking from the north towards the city of Kadesh, with the River Orontes on the left

The Hittite chariots appeared from the west

In the front row are three Allied squadrons - one heavy, flanked by two light squadrons.

In the middle row, on the right is a Hittite squadron, and on the left an Allied one (both heavy).

This side of the Orontes is the second wave, three heavy Hittite squadrons, the ones on the flanks being elite.

The Egyptians' first view

The marching order of Re corps is precisely laid out in Charles Grant's account.

Re, strung out in marching order

Pharoah's Royal Chariot Squadron is followed by Amarna javelinmen, Ka archers, Karnak spearmen, Koth archers, Tharn spearmen, Kush archers and Carchemish spearmen.

The view from Kadesh as the Hittites spring their trap

Kadesh - The Hittites

A LOT of ink has been spilt debating the subject of Hittite chariots.

It is generally agreed Hittites liked to use their chariots close up, in hand-to-hand fighting, rather than shooting arrows from afar, as the Egyptians preferred.

That is why the latter's chariots were designed to be as lightweight as possible, emphasising speed and manoeuvrability. Under Thomas's rules, light chariots have a 24cm move, and may turn without penalty.

It is often pointed out that the axle of an Egyptian chariot was set at the rear of the carriage, which, among other things, helped stability, making for a better firing platform.

By contrast, a Hittite chariot had the axle set further forward, which made the carriage more robust and able to carry a heavier load.

Under Thomas's rules, such heavy chariots have a 20cm move, but lose half their movement allowance if turning more than 30°.

It seems both sorts of chariots carried a bow, spear(s) and javelins, whatever the crew were personally armed with, but the Egyptians emphasised shooting arrows, the Hittites getting stuck in.

The big question is: how many men made up the crew of a Hittite chariot (everyone agrees an Egyptian chariot had a crew of two)?

I have seen the following confidently asserted:

1. Hittite chariots carried a crew of three - warrior, driver and shield-bearer.

2. Hittite chariots normally had a crew of two, but a man equipped with a shield was added for Kadesh to counter (how?) the Egyptian chariots' greater speed and manoeuvrability.

3. The Hittites had moved to a three-man chariot some time before Kadesh, but the Egyptians, although once picturing such chariots on a monumental relief, had forgotten this fact, and were caught by surprise when enemy chariots at Kadesh had three men per car.

4. Hittite chariots had normal two-men crews, but 'chariot runners' were added to chariot squadrons, and these warriors would sometimes be helped to get to the front by being given a ride.

A sizeable part of the Hittite army consisted of chariots supplied by vassals and allied kings, and it is said that at Kadesh the Hittite king, Muwatalli II, gave each of these chariots a third man, just like his own chariots had.

Many of these allied chariots were light ones, emphasising archery on the Egyptian model, rather than being heavy melee vehicles.

A third man in such a car would have brought new meaning to the future proverb: two's company, three's a crowd.

He certainly would not have helped stability, and would hardly have been needed, especially in a chariot designed for long-range shooting as chariot crews were usually the best armoured men on the battlefield.

All in all, I incline to option 4 above, but the point is to a large extent moot as it does not affect how heavy chariots operate under Thomas's rules.

Six squadrons of heavy chariots

Two squadrons of light chariots

Naturally, light chariots are capable of hand-to-hand fighting, and, under Thomas's rules, roll an extra die per base in the first round of a melee, just like heavy chariots.

However, heavy chariots perform much better than light chariots in hand-to-hand fighting against open-order infantry, open-order cavalry and light chariots, rolling three dice per base, while light chariots in such melees get one die per base (both heavy and light chariots also get their first-round bonus).

Against close-order archers, one die per base is rolled by light chariots, but heavy chariots receive two dice per base.

As for saving throws, light chariots count as having medium protection, while heavy chariots have heavy protection.

Now we come to the issue of quality. 

As I stated in yesterday's post, Egyptian close-order spearmen and open-order archers have average morale, while the javelinmen count as levy, and the Royal Chariot Squadron should obviously be elite.

The situation with the Hittites is not so simple.

Under Thomas's rules, Hittite heavy chariots are elite, while allied Syrian light chariots have average morale.

Clearly, in my refight, the Hittites' two squadrons of light chariots are supplied by allies, and should have average morale.

That leaves six squadrons of heavy chariots, two of which could be classified as Allied, and therefore have average morale.

Should the remaining four squadrons - the 'real' Hittite squadrons - be regarded as elite?

On the whole, I think that is too many, and I have decided only two should have such status, the others being average.

Kadesh - Converting The Armies From WRG To A&MW

CHARLES Grant's Battle of Kadesh was fought with 20/25mm figures under the rules of the Wargames Research Group.

I will be refighting the battle with 10mm figures, using my modified version of Neil Thomas's biblical rules from Ancient & Medieval Wargaming.

The three Egyptian units of infantry armed with spear and shield become three units of spear-armed biblical infantry, with average morale.

However, whereas Thomas classifies such troops as having light protection, I think medium is more appropriate.

Thomas has three classifications of protection for deciding saving throws: light, medium and heavy, which are allocated according to the following "rough criteria."

If a soldier is equipped with breastplate or a shield, he counts as having light armour; if he has a breastplate and a shield, he has medium armour. These ratings can be augmented if the man has extra armour, horse armour, or an unusually large shield. 

Egyptian close-order infantry of this period did carry extra-large shields, and probably had some sort of reinforced linen corselet, so I am classifying them as having medium protection (I probably should have also made this adjustment for my Aprocryphal Well refight).

Egyptian spearmen

Under Thomas's army list the New Kingdom Egyptian army can have two units of archers, but they must be in close order.

Grant's three units of archers - named Ka, Koth and Kush - are definitely in open order, and that is how they will appear in my refight.

Egyptian bowmen - light protection, average morale

One unit of javelinmen - open-order, light protection, levy

Pharoah's Royal Chariot Squadron - why it is with Re rather than with Ramesses and the Amun corps, we are not told

Rather conveniently, the Egyptian army has eight units, which is the standard size for an army under Thomas's rules.

Refighting Charles Grant's Battle Of Kadesh

PIONEERING wargamer Charles Grant refought a series of battles, which were first published in magazines and then collected in a book, Ancient Battles For Wargamers (Model and Allied Publications, 1977, £3.95).

The first battle in the book is Kadesh, which Grant dates as 1288 BC, although today 1274 BC is the generally accepted date.

Kadesh is often described as the first battle in history about which we know enough to undertake a reconstruction.

That is debateable, but nevertheless we know much more about Kadesh than we do about many subsequent battles.

In the spring of 1274 BC (or whatever year it was - 939 BC, according to one chronology), Pharoah Ramesses II headed north to try to take the border city of Kadesh from the Hittites.

He led an army consisting of four self-contained corps or divisions, which are sometimes described as armies in themselves, called Amun, Re, Ptah and Sutekh (named after popular Egyptian gods).

Each is believed to have numbered some 5,000 men, divided mainly into chariot crews, close-order infantry and foot archers, although the proportion of each branch is unknown.

In addition, Ramesses had with him his extended bodyguard, comprised of Sherden, one of the Sea Peoples.

I write "extended" because Pharoah travelled mainly by chariot, so presumably had an inner bodyguard of chariot warriors as well as the Sherden, who were infantry.

There was also another body, the Ne'arin, who were marching along the coast, but whose identity and composition are unknown.

It has been variously suggested that they were recruits (Ne'arin seems to come from a Canaanite expression meaning young ones), Canaanite mercenaries or an all-chariot special-task force.

Due to a succcessful misinformation campaign by the Hittite king, Muwatalli II, the Egyptians thought their enemy's main force was several days' march away.

Accordingly Ramesses and the lead corps, Amun, pushed on to set up camp on high ground overlooking Kadesh from the west, apparently hoping to take the city by assault, or preferably by intimidation, as soon as the rest of the Egyptian army arrived.

However, Muwatalli had been nearby all the time, and now led his army around the east side of Kadesh, to where possibly as many as 2,500 chariots were to launch a sudden flanking assault on the second Egyptian corps, Re.

Grant's map of the preliminary manoeuvres

This chariot attack is the point at which the battle in the book commences.

Grant's Re consists of three 40-man units of close-order infantry, armed with spear and shield, three 20-man units of open-order archers, a 20-strong unit of open-order javelinmen, and the Royal Chariot Squadron, consisting of eight chariots, each with a two-man crew.

That makes 216 figures (plus eight chariots), and is almost identical to the Egyptian army fielded at the Battle of the Apocryphal Well, although the names of some of the units have changed.

The wargames version of Muwatalli is given five squadrons of chariots, each squadron having eight chariots, to represent the 2,500 chariots of the initial attack.

But in the original battle there was a reserve, or second wave, apparently of 1,000 chariots, which under normal circumstances would be represented by two more squadrons of eight chariots.

However, Grant gives this second wave three such squadrons - the third being added "just for good measure, one might say, so that the follow-up force amounted to 1,500, not 1,000 - just a little bit of juggling, of course."

What seems to have escaped Grant's notice is the implication of giving Re eight units totalling 216 figures (plus eight chariots).

This implies that the whole Egyptian force consisted, in wargames terms, of 864 figures (plus 32 chariots).

Actually, the full total would be even more as those totals do not include the Sherden or the Ne'arin.

Never mind - what I am intending is to refight the engagement from Ancient Battles For Wargamers, rather than trying to refight the real Battle of Kadesh.

In effect this will be a scenario based on the battle, but should be none the worse for that.

Summing Up Our Refight Of The Battle Of The Apocryphal Well

ANOTHER great war game, and a reversal of 'history', as the Egyptians won Charles Grant's original battle in The Ancient War Game.

That encounter, fought under Wargames Research Group rules, ended with three of the seven (not eight, as the book has it) Assyrian regiments "in flight and two others retreating."

The Egyptians lost 38 figures of their original 229 (including chariot crews). The Assyrians lost 58 of their original 178 figures, "although to the latter total can be added the fleeing regiments who, should the result have been decided by a tally of viable points, would not have counted, being in flight."

In our battle, fought with my modified version of Neil Thomas's biblical rules from Ancient & Medieval Wargaming, the Egyptians lost four of eight units, the Assyrians two of seven.

I conceded as my Egyptians were on the verge of losing a fifth unit, which had already been reduced to one base, and was confronted with units of cavalry, close-order archers and professional infantry.

That would have put the army below 50% of its starting strength, and therefore defeated.

Both my opponent and I felt the battle flowed well, and was over in a relatively short nine turns.

This was helped by the scenario starting with both armies drawn up in battle-order at the start of the fateful day, within a few moves of each other, and on a battlefield that was uncluttered with scenery, apart from three low hills, which affected line-of-sight, but not movement.

We have agreed to give the rules another outing in the near future.

Battle Of The Apocryphal Well - Turn Nine

The Egyptians will lose if another unit is eliminated

But there is still hope. If I can win the dice-off to go first, it is just possible that with some exemplary archery I could destroy both of the Assyrians' remaining left-flank units, which would take the Assyrians below half-strength, and so cause their defeat.

I do indeed win the dice-off (6-4), but first my three right-flank units have to test their morale, it being assumed that by now news of the death of the Egyptian commander will have reached them.

Only the Ka archers fail the test, losing a base.

The Ka then shoot at the Hassuna, but 6, 2, 1, is nowhere near good enough, and anyway the one hit is resolved as the Assyrians falling back 3cm.

The two-base Koth shoot at the same target, but their hearts are apparently not in it, and they inflict no damage.

Similarly, the Ptah spearmen, ordered to close on the Hassuna, do so in a dilatory manner, advancing only 6cm (thanks the move-variation rule).

With defeat now inevitable, I concede.

Battle Of The Apocryphal Well - Turn Eight

Situation after seven turns

I win the dice-off (5-4, after a 4-4 tie) to see who goes first.

The Ka and Koth archers are just out of bowshot of the Hassuna, so I order them to advance as far as they can, to get in range, and to get away from the victorious Assyrian right-flank. The only infantry who can normally move and shoot are open-order infantry armed with javelins, so there is no question of my archers inflicting casualties this half-turn. The Ptah biblical infantry also advance on Hasunna.

On the Egyptian left the Senkht fall back 5cm, aided by the move-variation rule adding 25% to their 4cm move (after 50% was deducted for turning).

The remaining chariot base also falls back a little, and shoots at the Tutub on South Hill, but without effect.

Reg starts by having the Tutub advance towards my withdrawing units, their 8cm move increased to 10cm, thanks to move-variation. They then shoot at Pharoah's Chariot Squadron (the Tutub, being professional infantry, are an exception to the foot-bows-cannot-move-and-shoot rule), scoring a hit, which is not saved, and, despite the squadron being elite, is resolved as the loss of a base.

This means the Egyptian commander has fallen, and, as a consequence, the Senekht have to test their morale. It remains good.

My other three units are not within line-of-sight of the general's demise, so they will not test their morale until the start of the next half-turn.

The Eshnunna cavalry advance on the Senekht, as do the Akalate close-order archers, who were just out of bowshot-range of the Egyptians.

Finally, on the other flank, the Hassuna close-order archers shoot at the two-base Koth, but roll 4, 1, 1, 1.

It would be little short of a miracle if my Egyptians survive the next turn, never mind the rest of the battle

Battle Of The Apocryphal Well - Turn Seven

Situation after six turns, looking from behind the Egyptian lines, with the Assyrians in the ascendancy, especially on their right

I win the dice-off (6-2) to see who goes first.

This gives me a glimmer of hope as I can immediately order the Ptah infantry to charge the retreating Tarbisa, who are caught in the back. My men's three dice are therefore increased to six, but I roll a disappointing 6, 4, 3, 3, 3, 1 - one hit. The Tarbisa roll a 3, so only the hit they suffered has to be considered. It is not saved, and is resolved as the loss of a base, meaning the Assyrians have at last lost a unit.

The Ka archers shoot at the Assyrian light cavalry, rolling 5, 2, 2, 1 - one hit. It is not saved, and is resolved as the loss of a base. The unit's morale fails, so another base is removed.

I order the Koth archers to shoot at the same target, hoping to eliminate a second Assyrian unit. However, the dice land 2, 1.

On the Egyptian left the Kush archers shoot at the Assyrian javelinmen, also hoping to eliminate a second Assyrian unit. The dice land 6, 1 - a hit. It is not saved, and is resolved as the loss of a base, so the Assyrians have indeed lost two units - the same number as the Egyptians.

I decide to take a gamble and activate the remaining base of Pharoah's Chariot Squadron, which moves left and shoots at the Tutub elite infantry (remember, open-order chariots can turn without penalty and still shoot), but the die lands as a 3.

Finally, the Senekht infantry withdraw, to get as near as they can, allowing for a 50% deduction in movement for turning, to the chariot squadron.

Both armies have lost two units, but since the Assyrians began the battle with only seven, they will have been defeated if they lose two more units and so fall below half-strength, while the Egyptians, who had eight units at the start, would have to lose three more units to be beaten

However, it seems inevitable that the two-base Kush archers (top-centre, with Assyrian cavalry and two full-strength foot units menacing them) will be eliminated in the Assyrian half-turn

Reg starts by ordering the Akalate close-order archers to shoot at the Kush, the dice landing 6, 4, 4, 1 - one hit. However, I manage to save it by rolling a 6.

Then the Eshnunna cavalry charge the Kush in the flank. Close-order cavalry meleeing against light infantry receive three dice per base, but receive an extra die per base for attacking in the flank. The Eshnunna score six hits, and none is saved! Only two are resolved as the loss of a base, but that is enough to eliminate the Kush.

The Tutub infantry, who are armed with bows as well as spears, climb on to the crest of South Hill and shoot (they are allowed to move and shoot, unlike ordinary close-order archers) at my chariot squadron. They receive one die for every two bases, but the dice land 3, 2.

The Hassuna archers shoot at the newly-in-range Ptah infantry, rolling 6, 4, 2, 1 - one hit. It is not saved, and is resolved as forcing my men to fall back 3cm.

Reg decides discretion is the better part of valour with the Zarzi light cavalry, and he pulls them to safety behind the Hasunna.

Both right-wings are triumphant, but the total nimber of Assyrian bases remaining is 15, while the Egyptians have 11

Battle Of The Apocryphal Well - Turn Six

Situation after five turns

Just for a change, I win the dice-off (5-3) to decide who goes first.

My light infantry on the Egyptian left hurl their javelins at the Eshnunna cavalry, scoring a hit, but it is saved. The Kush archers shoot at the same target, also scoring a hit, but it too is saved.

The Ptah heroically charge the Tutub, which brings up a question about the Assyrian terror rule in Neil Thomas's Ancient & Medieval Wargaming.

It reads: "The reputation of the Assyrians was such that many opponents often ran away before contact. Accordingly, any enemy troops in hand-to-hand combat with Assyrian chariots, cavalry, line* infantry or auxiliary infantry, must test morale before the first round."

[*Line infantry are not mentioned as a troop type in the biblical wargaming rules, and the Assyrians are the only ones mentioned as having them. It would seem to be another term for what Thomas elsewhere calls heavy infantry, as opposed to the more-common biblical infantry, which are a lower-quality type of close-order foot.]

My opponent and I discussed whether the rule should apply in only the first round of the first time a unit melees with Assyrians in a battle, or whether it should also apply in the first round of subsequent melees involving the same unit in the same battle.

We fairly quickly agreed that the spirit of the rule means it should only apply in the first round of the first melee, which gives my men more of a glimmer of hope.

Anyway, in the second melee between the Ptah and Tutub, I roll 4, 4 - close, but no hits (5+ is needed). Reg rolls 6, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1 (each of his bases gets two dice) - just one hit. I am unable to save it, but the hit is resolved as my men falling back 3cm.

In the ongoing melee between the three-base Ptah and the one-base Tarbisa - both biblical infantry - I roll 6, 3, 3 - one hit. Reg rolls 4 - no hits. The one hit is not saved, and is resolved as the Tarbisa falling back 3cm.

The Koth archers shoot at the Hassuna archers, rolling 5, 2 - one hit. It is not saved, and the Hassuna fall back 3cm.

Finally, my Ka archers shoot at the javelin-armed cavalry, but roll three 3s and a 2.

This feels like a half-turn of missed opportunities for the Egyptians

Reg starts by charging the Eshnunna cavalry into my one-base Lacish javelinmen.

This is the second time they have meleed, so the terror rule does not apply, but each of the cavalry's two bases gets three dice, and Reg rolls 5, 5, 4, 2, 2, 1 - two hits. Neither hit is saved, and the Lacish are eliminated (their one die comes up an ineffective 2, so they take no Assyrians with them), meaning I have now lost two units.

The Assyrians' Repiquum javelinmen hurl their weapons at the Kush archers, rolling 5 - a hit. It is not saved, and causes my men to lose a base. That forces a morale test, which is passed.

Then the Akalate archers shoot at the same target, rolling 5, 4, 3, 3 - one hit. Another base is lost, but again my men's morale holds firm.

The elite Tutub charge my Ptah infantry. As already discussed, the terror rule does not apply, but Reg rolls 6, 5, 5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - four hits! None is saved, but only one base is lost - the other hits are resolved as each forcing the Ptah back 3cm. Despite this, the remaining Ptah pass their morale test. As part of the same melee, I roll 5, 3 - one hit. It is not saved, and the Tutub fall back 3cm.

The one-base Tarbisa infantry turn, using half their move-allowance, and retreat 4cm, except move-variation comes into effect, so they only cover 3cm.

The Hassuna archers are no longer within firing range of my Koth archers, so they switch to shooting at my Kush archers, rolling 5, 3, 3 1 - one hit. It is not saved, and my men are forced to withdraw 3cm.

The Zarzi light cavalry advance just over 12cm and hurl their javelins at the Kush, rolling 6, 4, 3 - one hit. It is not saved, and my men are forced back a further 3cm. The cavalry, using the rest of their split-move, fall back as far as they can.

The Egyptian left has all but disappeared

The Kush archers on the Egyptian left look very isolated, with four Assyrian units closing in

Battle Of The Apocryphal Well - Turn Five

Looking from behind the Egyptian lines after four turns

It feels as if winning the right to go first this turn could be important, and Reg wins the dice-off 5-4.

He starts on the Assyrian right, where the much-diminished Eshnunna elite cavalry charge my levy javelinmen. Under the Assyrian terror rule, the latter have to immediately check their morale, which is poor, meaning they lose a base before hand-to-hand-fighting begins.

In the melee the Assyrians get six dice (three for each remaining base), scoring one hit, which is not saved, and is resolved as the loss of a base. This means another morale test, which my men again fail, not surprisingly, and so are reduced to one base.

However, blows in melees are struck simultaneously, so I still get to roll three dice  - one for each base remaining after the terror-morale fail. Amazingly, I roll 5, 5, 5 - three hits. One hit is saved, and the other two are resolved as fallbacks, ie a 6cm-withdrawal.

The one-base Assyrian light infantry hurl javelins at my Ka archers, but ineffectively.

The Akalate archers cross the western low hill, finishing just short of the Ka, and the Tutub elite infantry likewise advance onto the southern low hill.

In the ongoing melee between the outnumbered Tarbisa biblical infantry and my Ptah yellow-shields, neither side scores a hit.

The Hassuna close-order archers on the Assyrian left shoot at my Koth open-order archers, scoring a hit, which forces my men back 3cm.

The Assyrian mounted javelinmen split-move, hurling their weapons at the Ka archers, scoring a hit, which, however, is saved, and then fall back to beside the Hassuna.

I feared suffering heavier losses this half-turn

My javelinmen shoot at the Eshnunna horsemen, but without effect, and my Kush archers fire at the same target, again ineffectively.

The Ra spearmen charge the Tutub, but first have to test their morale under the Assyrian terror rule, losing a base in the process. Despite this, in the melee my three-base biblical infantry roll three dice, scoring 6, 5, 3 - two hits. The four-base Tutub, being professional close-order infantry, roll eight dice, which result in four hits. The two hits I inflict are both saved, but only one of the hits I suffer is saved. The remaining three are all resolved as the loss of a base, meaning the Ra become the first unit eliminated.

The Senekht spearmen also charge the Tutub, with one of the unit's two bases gaining a bonus die for attacking from a flank. That means three dice in all, and one hit is scored, but it is saved. The Tutub roll six dice (the base attacked in the flank does not count this half-turn), scoring two hits. Neither is saved, but my men do not lose a base, instead being pushed back 6cm.

The two-base Koth archers shoot at the Hassuna archers, but without success.

Finally, my Ka archers shoot at the Assyrian light cavalry, scoring three hits. Two are saved - Reg rolling 6s again! - and the third is resolved as the horsemen falling back 3cm.

The success of the elite Tutub infantry has put the well firmly in Assyrian hands, at least for now

Looking from behind the Senekht, with the Tutub directly ahead of them - to the Tutub's right are the Akalate archers, while to the Tutub's left is the melee between Egypt's Ptah infantry and Assyria's Tarbisa, which continued ineffectively throughout this turn

Battle Of The Apocryphal Well - Turn Four

Situation after three turns

Reg wins the dice-off (4-3, after a 3-3 tie) to see who goes first.

He starts by sending his open-order cavalry to again hurl javelins at my chariot squadron, the dice landing 6, 6, 3 - two hits. My men have medium armour, but neither hit is saved, and the hits are resolved as the squadron losing two bases, which causes it to fail a morale test, thus losing a further base! The cavalry complete a split-move by returning to their previous position alongside the Hassuna archers.

The archers shoot at my Koth open-order archers, rolling 6, 2, 1, 1 - one hit. The hit is not saved, and the Koth lose a second base. However, their morale remains firm.

The Tarbisa infantry advance 10cm, thanks a 2cm-bonus from the move-variation rule, but do not quite make contact with my Ptah unit.

The Tutub elite infantry advance 8cm, and being a dual-threat unit, shoot with half their bases at the Senekht spearmen, rolling 6, 3 - one hit. This is not saved, and it is resolved as the loss of a base, with a further base lost due to my men failing their morale test.

On the Assyrian right the elite Eshnunna cavalry advance their full move towards my javelinmen, narrowly failing to make contact - a move-variation roll of 6 would have been enough.

The Assyrian javelinmen advance 12cm and are just in range to hurl their javelins at the Kush open-order archers, but roll 4, 4, 3, 2 - no hits.

The Akalate close-order archers advance to the edge of the western low hill.

An excellent half-turn for the Assyrians

I start on the Egyptian right with the Ka archers shooting at the Assyrian javelin-armed cavalry, rolling 5, 4, 4, 4 - one hit. However, the hit is saved by Reg rolling a 6.

The two-base Koth archers shoot at the Tarbisa infantry, rolling 5, 3 - one hit. It is not saved, and the Assyrians lose a base, but pass their morale test.

My Ptah infantry then charge the Tarbisa (Reg and I agreed that, because we are resolving actions unit-by-unit, rather than first having movement for all units, then shooting for all units, etc, we would not use the charge-declaration rule, which states that charges have to be declared at the beginning of a player's turn).

The Assyrian terror rule means my men have to take a morale test before the hand-to-hand combat is decided, and my men narrowly fail it - I roll a 3 instead of 4+. That means my men lose a base, so it is three bases against three. My dice land 6, 4, 3 - one hit; Reg rolls 4, 3, 3 - no hits. The Tarbisa, perhaps surprised at the unexpected spirit of my men, lose a further base when they fail their morale test, and so are reduced to one surviving base.

On the Egyptian left my javelinmen hurl their weapons at the Eshnunna cavalry, rolling 6, 4, 2, 1 - one hit, which is not saved, and is resolved as a lost base. The Eshnunna, despite being elite, fail their morale when Reg rolls a 2 instead of 3+, and so lose a further base.

The Kush archers shoot at the Assyrian javelinmen, rolling 6, 5, 2, 1 - two hits. Neither hit is saved, and the javelinmen lose a further base to poor morale.

I move the remaining base of my chariot squadron out of harm's way, behind my right-flank archers.

Finally, I pull the Senekht red-shields slightly back to be in line with the Ra. 

A good half-turn for the Egyptians!

Battle Of The Apocryphal Well - Turn Three

Situation after the second turn

I win the dice-off (5-3) to decide who goes first.

I start by again manoeuvring my chariots, so they can shoot at the Assyrian left-flank cavalry without moving in range of the Assyrian archers.

My four dice land 6, 5, 5, 3 - three hits! But, incredibly, Reg's saving-throws all land with the 6 required for troops with light protection.

I plan to advance the rest of my army cautiously, and this works on the left, where the Ra and Senekht spearmen move into the hills surrounding the well, supported to their left by the Kush archers and Lacish javelinemen.

But the Ptah spears precipitately advance 10cm, thanks to the move-variation rule, taking them past the south hill and into bowshot range of the Assyrians.

Fearing the worst, I order the Koth archers to move alongside them, but they are also carried away with excess zeal, advancing 12.5cm, instead of the 10cm I want. Again there is nothing for it but to order the Ka archers to support them, and this they do.

The Egyptians' lack of discipline could have disastrous consequences

The Hasunna close-order archers on the Assyrian left shoot at my Koth archers, who have advanced well within bowshot.The four dice land 6, 6, 3, 1 - two hits.

I fail to save either of them. One is resolved as the loss of a base, but the other causes my men to fall back 3cm, although their morale holds firm.

The first Egyptian casualties

The Zarzi cavalry advance 10cm and fling javelins at my chariots, but the three dice land 4, 4, 3 - no hits. Open-order cavalry with javelins are allowed to split-move, so they complete their move by turning and falling back to their original position beside the Hasunna archers.

On the other flank the Eshnunna cavalry start to swing to their right, supported by the Repiquum javelinmen and the Akalate archers, although the latter, being close-order infantry, can only move 4cm, as they lose half their move-distance for deviating more than 30° from straight ahead.

Both the Tutub and Tarbisa infantry advance into the hills, although the former move further than ordered, thanks to the move-variation rule.

Both armies are close to their ultimate objective - the green well - but there's fighting to be done first