THE MAP This highly stylized, not to scale computer generated colourful masterpiece bares only the faintest resemblance to what I actually worked off for both sides. An explanation would probably assist the narrative, so here goes. The tributary of the Nile which meanders up passed the border town of Gebel to the thriving and strategically important city of Abnub is for the most of it length placid and slow moving with very little in the way of a current. The shallow banks drop away to a deep chasm, which comprises of most of the width of the river. A canal had been dug to facilitate the movement of goods to and from the city, whereas before it had been carried across the flood plain. The quay had two purposes, while at the same time being far enough away from the city to ensure the hustle and bustle would not disturb the good citizens, it all so kept the unkempt elements away from the center of the city. The map is orientated with the top being north, putting Abnub in the south. Within the city of Abnub there are various different coloured buildings whose purpose will evolve as the saga does. The flood plain is contained within the bounds of; in the south the raised city of Abnub and the supporting causeways going north to the rising ground encountered on both side of the Nile at the Gates of Horus. This is the main agricultural area for the city and at the time of the Pharaoh’s visit there was still a considerable amount of harvesting to be done on the western bank, which would cause no hindrance to troops but would obscure their vision due to the height of the crops. The Nile is navigable by even the largest craft up to the north edge of Abnub, but there is a barrier of chained logs across it at the Gates of Horus which enables the river guard to control traffic going both ways. The Lock is a marvel of Egyptian engineering and works on a counter lever system allowing vessels of the largest size to use the canal when it is raised and the passage of wagons or chariots two a breast when it is in its down position. The various sluices within the gates and the actual opening or closing of the gates themselves control the water level within the canal. The ‘Fort’ on the island is little more than a signaling tower manned by a small detachment of the city militia on a weekly basis and serves no aggressive or real defensive purpose. The various hills and ridges present separate tactical problems, in that Stele Hill is very heavily covered in vineyards, orchards etc. making it impassable to all bar skirmishing light infantry. Sphinx Ridge on the other hand is a clear rolling topographical feature, which dominates the surrounding countryside for quite some distance. The ‘Stele’, which are large engraved columns, are dotted around the map as reference points to aid with the movement of troops as well as adding very favourably to the visual effect. The Temple/Palace on the hill is in reality a mini fortress but only capable of containing a small garrison due to its size. The road to the complex runs between two steep sided spurs, which completely dominate the approach and are ideally suited for missile men. Prior to arriving at the main gate there is an extremely steep incline, which is only trafficable to dismounted personnel and would make the use of assault equipment extremely tiring and nigh on impossible. The remainder of the terrain is passable by all troops, depending up on their formation and speed of movement, with even the ‘Broken Ground’ being trafficked by chariots in single file moving at a slow walk. All the roads are wide enough to accommodate chariots three wide or a marching column of infantry five wide with no problem. LEGEND Egyptian Blue Pharaoh A Pharaoh and personal infantry bodyguard in temple/palace complex on hill. B Border guard regular regiment protecting road to palace. C Quay and canal leading to the lock gates and the Nile. D Floodplain surrounded by raised causeways and the city of Abnub. E Regiment of Guard infantry F Guard Chariots G Elite Chariots H Regiment of elite infantry I National granary J City granary Egyptian Red Pharaoh Pharaoh and personal chariot bodyguard Numidian warbands [fast] Swarm of light infantry javelinmen Sea People brigade Biblical LI Biblical HI Assyrian 4H chariots Assyrian HI Assyrian HI Assyrian MI Slingers 4H Hvy Ch HI Spearmen Bde 4H Hvy Ch HI Spearmen Bde Flotilla of rafts Fleet of papyrus canoes Egyptian Red Pharaoh – Force Objectives: Pharaoh and personal chariot bodyguard – Dash to Temple/Palace and kill Blue Pharaoh Numidian warbands [fast] – Support Red Pharaoh Swarm of light infantry javelinmen – Take and hold woods on Stele Hill. Sea People brigade – Follow-up and support Red Pharaoh at Palace Biblical Light Infantry (LI) – Take quay Biblical Heavy Infantry (HI) – Take quay Assyrian 4 Horse Heavy Chariots (4HHC) – Take Gates of HORUS; Take lock gates; RV at quay Assyrian HI - Take Gates of HORUS; Take lock gates; RV at quay Assyrian HI - Take Gates of HORUS; Take lock gates; RV at quay Assyrian Medium Infantry (MI) Slingers - Take Gates of HORUS; Take lock gates; RV at quay 4HHC – West Bank. Threaten ABNUB. HI Spearmen Brigade - West Bank. Threaten ABNUB 4HHC - West Bank. Threaten granary. HI Spearmen Brigade - West Bank. Threaten ABNUB Flotilla of rafts – Form raft bridge between east and west banks at narrowest points. Fleet of papyrus canoes. Primary: Take Gates of HORUS. Secondary: Take lock gates. This was all fairly basic tactics for the invading force and in a good old fashion ‘head-to-head’ game with equal points then things may have gone according to plan, however this was not to be. More Chariot Saga Chariot Saga: Part 4 Chariot Saga: Part 3 Chariot Saga 2003 Part 2 Introduction Campaign Map Chariot Saga: Part 1 Back to Table of Contents -- Lone Warrior # 143 Back to Lone Warrior List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2003 by Solo Wargamers Association. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com