The Preemption of Yarmouk: Battle of Damascus Timeline

trajen777

Banned
Couple of more points of interest for you :

Yazdegerd III consolidated his power and sought alliance with Heraclius in 635 in an effort to prepare for a massive counterattack. Heraclius married his daughter to Yazdegerd III, in accordance with Roman tradition to seal an alliance. Heraclius then prepared for a major offensive in the Levant. Meanwhile, Yazdegerd ordered a concentration of massive armies to reclaim Iraq for good. This was supposed to be a well-coordinated attack by both emperors to annihilate the power of their common enemy, Caliph Umar.

When Heraclius launched his offensive in May 636, Yazdegerd could not coordinate on time, so the plan was not carried out as planned. Meanwhile, Umar allegedly had knowledge of this alliance and devised his own plan to counteract it. He wanted to finish the Byzantines first, and later deal with the Persians separately. Accordingly he sent 6000 soldiers as reinforcements to his army in Yarmouk who were facing off the Byzantine army. Simultaneously, Umar engaged Yazdegerd III, ordering Saad ibn Abi Waqqas to enter in peace negotiations with him by inviting him to convert to Islam.[15] Heraclius, fearing the abovementioned scenario had instructed his general Vahan not to engage in battle with Muslims and await his orders. However, Vahan, witnessing fresh reinforcements for the Muslims arriving daily from Madinah, felt compelled to attack the Muslim forces before they got too strong. Heraclius's imperial army was annihilated at Battle of Yarmouk in August 636, three months before the battle of Qadisiyyah, therefore ending the Roman Emperor's offensive in the west. Undeterred, Yazdegerd continued to execute his plan of attack and concentrated armies near his capital Ctesiphon. A large force was put under the control of veteran general Rostam and was cantoned at Valashabad near Ctesiphon. Receiving news of preparations for a massive counter-attack, Umar ordered Muthana to abandon Iraq and retreat to the edge of the Arabian Desert. The Iraqi campaign would be addressed at a later date.[13]
 

takerma

Banned
It is a fascinating time in history everything was hanging on a thread, there are so many different outcomes that are possible from one battle lost or won that would completely change history. Of course I want to read your take on it. Battle is well written imo, looks plausible.
 
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The Emperor had perished, dying fighting in a magnificent and honourable way. However this battle was far from over, in fact the majority of the Roman forces were completely unaware of the Emperor's death. However concern began to mount as they realize Arab cavalry were in the rear area. The Arabs had achieved a tactical masterstroke, damaging the ERE's mobile forces and perhaps turning the tide of battle, however they didn't have enough time to appreciate their victory. 3500 Bucellarii charged into their front, having finally made it to their positions. First arrows launched from the Roman skirmishers knocked scores of Arabs off the back of their horses. Then the better equipped of the Bucellarii charged into their ranks head first, the Caliph's forces were tired from the march and the particularly difficult fighting of earlier. Men fought on horseback, doing their best to knock each other and then skewer them with their lances and spears. "Shout the victory cry of the cross!" Cried the Roman Cavalrymen, fighting a battle against an arab force nearly double their number. The Kataphraktoi, didn't fail to notice the cavalry battle occuring in their rear either. The heavily mounted soldiers withdrew from creating devastation among the Arab infantry on the ridge and reconsolidated their formation. They formed into a wedge again, and began to charge hard aiming for the Arab rear. Their heavy lances easily pierced the Arab's leather armour and cowhide shields. Entrails and blood littered the sand as both horse and men were thrown about like a discarded glove. Arab Morale began to break as they realized they were besieged on both sides, especially as the Kataphraktoi cut swathes through some of their best companions. The Arabs decided it would be better to fight another day and order the force to retreat. However the bloodthirsty Bucellarii and Kataphraktoi didn't let up, pursuing them relentlessly.

On the ridge another situation began to develop. The Armenian warriors had mostly succeeded in cutting down the last defence of the Arab's right flank. This corresponded with the collapse of the Arab center, unable to handle the quantitatively and qualitatively superior Roman assault, they began running to their camp. The Roman Infantry squares disbursed as men ran in pursuit of their enemy. Khalid's generals began to sweat as they desperately tried to restore discipline to the routing soldiers. Khalid realized that at this point there was no way for his troops to regain composure and issued a general retreat. He ordered his men to take positions at their fortified campsite. He hoped the presence of their women and their camp followers would inspire his men. At this point he had about 9000~ Infantry left, with most of his cavalry dissipated other than that of his nobles.

At the same time, a massive force began to arrive from the North. They marched in a rather unorganized column, but their size impressed each side's scouts. 10'000 Men of the Roman Damascus Garrison had arrived, led by the Emperor's nephew Thomas. They had began marching to join the rest of the force. Thomas met with Varhan and lamented the disappearance of the Emperor and Magister Militum. They agreed that Thomas would take temporary command and attempt to restore order while Varhan would besiege the camp.
 

trajen777

Banned
well written -- i really like the battle maps -- i am more of a visual person so this is excellent -- Question in the map you have Varhan with 1000 Cav on the left flank --did they also out flank the Arabs with the 8000 infantry ? Or did they stay back ? It seems they would be in an excellent position to cause significant more casualties to the fleeing Arab infantry.
 
well written -- i really like the battle maps -- i am more of a visual person so this is excellent -- Question in the map you have Varhan with 1000 Cav on the left flank --did they also out flank the Arabs with the 8000 infantry ? Or did they stay back ? It seems they would be in an excellent position to cause significant more casualties to the fleeing Arab infantry.

At this point Varhan was mostly scouting and maintaining command because of the Magister Militum departure, plus at the end he had to meet Thomas.
 
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