Chapter 57: Counterattack
Seeing that his plan had worked, Arslan was overjoyed. Immediately urge the army to attack. He gathered all the camel cavalry together. Rush in from the front. The stench of the camels made the Norman horses scream. At the same time, armed with a scimitar, a spear. The Moorish warriors, dressed in light chain armor or sheet armor and leather armor, also chanted the name of Allah. Onslaught towards the Norman camp.
At this moment, the Norman barracks became extremely chaotic. Fires broke out in many places, and billowing smoke obscured the moonlight. If the average army is on the verge of collapse at this time. However, the Norman army still roared and fought bravely. If they can find a hundred-man team, they will use the hundred-man team as a unit, and if they can find one, they will use it as a unit, and they will fight alone alone. Even in such a predicament, there is no intention of giving up.
The Moorish offensive was not as successful as they thought. Instead, it has encountered great obstacles. The Norman army fought back vigorously. Field Marshal Fall was given enough time to reassemble the army. In the midst of smoke and flames. But the sound of the Norman trumpets was unimpeded. Thus General Farr's orders would not go unconveyed. After hearing the sound of the trumpet, the Norman soldiers were even more reassured.
As Marshal Farr's guards mustered up their strength, the trumpets sounded. The Norman army gradually shrank and concentrated around Field Marshal Farr. The super-long spear array mixes the tactical men of the assault infantry, making it impossible for the opposing light camel cavalry to attack. This was followed by a rain of longbows and arrows to massively kill and wound the Moorish infantry.
In this way, the Normans withstood several Moorish shocks without suffering many casualties. On the contrary, it was the Moors on the attacking side who lost their troops. Morale was greatly frustrated. Originally, a little joy because of the sneak attack. Now it's completely gone. Just looking at the corpse that fell in front of the Norman super-long spear array, I felt a chill.
In the desert, the temperature difference between day and night is enormous. The high temperature in the 40s during the day is afraid that people can freeze to death at night. The Moors, however, knew that the cold they felt at this moment did not come from the outside air. It's deep down...... Sultan Arslan personally came to the front line. Seeing the Normans' array of super-long spears waiting for them. I couldn't help but sigh secretly. This night attack. I'm afraid it's going to end here. If you continue to fight, you won't be able to take advantage of it. On the contrary, it is very likely to suffer.
However, he wanted to go, but Marshal Farr did the opposite. He saw that the Moors were depressed. The physical strength is almost worn out. It is the time for your own counteroffensive. He hated the Moors for losing face to him. Where the other party is allowed to escape so easily?!
Seeing that the Moors had the intention of retreating. Field Marshal Farr immediately changed tactics. Turn defense into offense. The musketeers and Egil's Fury repeaters, who had been hidden for a long time, made their first attack. The fierce gunfire and dense clusters of arrows completely shattered the already low morale of the Moors. Immediately afterwards, the Normans charged. Soon overwhelmed the Moorish array.
In this way, the side that was originally attacking soon became the side being attacked. Thirty thousand Moorish troops threw away their armor. Fleeing in embarrassment. Arslan also died in the rebellion.
At daybreak, the 30,000 Moorish army lost eighty or ninety percent. The rest is nowhere to be found. The Norman army then attacked the city of Marrakech. After showing Arslan's head, the soldiers and civilians in the city panicked. No decent defenses were organized. And so it surrendered.
Thus the once powerful Sultanate of Moldova came to an end. The Norman Emperor then established a new province here. It was named the province of Morocco. With Marrakech as its capital.
In just two months, the Sultan of Arslan was defeated and died. The Norman Empire settled one of the three battlefields. This was a surprise for the emperor. The 100,000 English troops were again in vain.
When the emperor received the news, he originally wanted to order them to go to Egypt and participate in the war against the Ilkhanate. But he was afraid that General Ace would be like General Farr. He didn't wait for the army to pass, and then the campaign was completed. Transferring the army over and over like this, like a stupid boy. The emperor thought that even if those people had a good temper, they would be angry.
So, Egil thought about it. He ordered the English army to turn back to the country and not to go to war again. Then these soldiers may feel disappointed. But most of the time they won't be angry.
In fact, with the continuous expansion of the empire's territory. Although the various cities have built paved roads that are very suitable for travel. There is also such a convenient and fast way as sea freight. But like England, the army in the big rear. It will become less and less common to reach the easternmost frontier of the empire and participate in battles. This is also a helpless thing.
Perhaps hundreds of years after the empire has been passed down. These provinces in the rear will become weak. Sometimes Egil thinks the same way. Because these places have not experienced war for a long time. It's also hard to get on the battlefield and exercise. Therefore, the people's customs have gradually become weaker. After all, the steam engine, the train or something is very difficult to invent for a while. So it's helpless to become like this.
And at the same time. When the situation in Morocco stabilized. General Farr was given a new task by the emperor. Sweep the coast of North Africa to Egypt. Such an easy and simple task at the same time. In the area of the Suez Canal. The Norman armies had already begun to gather.
February. An army of 200,000 from four provinces, including Flanders. It's pretty much in place. Wait until the end of February. Strategic supplies are ready. And the soldiers gradually recovered, adapting to the climate of the Egyptian region. After this, General Ers was ready to attack...... February 26, 1015. then one day. Ilkhan Hulegü was still tormenting how to break the Norman blockade and get his iron horsemen to set foot in Egypt.
And yet on this very day. He finally didn't have to worry about it. Because there was no need for him to come, the Normans had already taken the initiative...... At night, the Normans quietly concentrated all the battleships they could. This was followed by a massive round of naval artillery bombardment. After a burst of artillery bombardment that shook the ground and almost shattered the heavens and the earth. A large number of warships rushed towards the north bank of the Suez Canal at the fastest speed, without considering the possibility of running aground.
The Norman Empire's counterattack officially began......
(To be continued)