Kelha took all the Finnish longbowmen to mix with the 7th banner which had suffered losses.
After a bloody battle, it was obvious that the traditional bow attack could not penetrate the armor of the Frankish army in front of them. If harassment was used to disrupt their offensive formation, it should still be effective.
All the soldiers of the Seventh Banner Corps built a shield wall. They did not care about other teams now, nor did they care about their own wounded soldiers. Behind the four centurions was the Finnish army. At present, they had gathered a fighting force of more than 600 people, and they lined up
An extremely dense formation stood firm waiting for reinforcements.
The actions of the Ross rebel army would not end because of losses. When there were still ships that washed up on the beach and jumped out a group of tough warriors, the momentum that had been overwhelmed by the heavy cavalry quickly recovered.
In the chaos of the battle, Bjorn was extremely lucky not to be trampled to death by an iron weapon. He gnawed mud in his mouth and staggered back to the shore covered in mud. Looking around, it seemed that there were less than fifty people left.
A Merlaren warrior.
In the continuous battles, the Malaren army suffered heavy losses. Fortunately, at the beginning of the year, a group of debtors and serfs were summoned from the headquarters to participate in the war. If these guys died, they would die. It would be unjustifiable if the truly elite men of Malaren suffered a large loss.
disaster.
The current situation of the Ross coalition forces seemed to be in a mess, but Count Gilbert of Ramongo on the other side of the battlefield thought that he still had a chance to overwhelm the enemy.
The war horses were panting violently, as were the soldiers.
The sun rose higher and higher, and the warm sunshine in the morning gradually heated up the armor and helmets. It was still morning, and it would be very detrimental to the Frank army if the battle continued to drag on.
Ramon's army had broken off a large number of spears in their charge just now, and they had indeed caused heavy casualties to the Normans.
The enemy's fighting spirit is extremely high, and they are still crossing the river to increase their troops.
Gilbert looked left and right, and all he could see was his own army. Tristan's three cavalry flags were still standing still in the residential area.
However, he was not angry and even thanked the veteran.
At this moment, the two parties were unable to communicate, but they basically guessed what the other party meant.
"My lord!" His personal cavalry gasped and frowned: "Our friendly forces have been slow to attack, so are we going to continue to charge with our current strength?"
"Of course." The high-spirited Gilbert drew his sword and pointed at the shield wall by the river: "Crush them and let the Normans drown in the Meuse River."
"However, we charged too hard just now, and the horses and people are very tired."
"I know! But these are all difficulties that can be overcome, and we will achieve a great victory." That's what he said, but now the only one who is really motivated is Gilbert himself.
It was not that other troops suddenly became timid. After all, his cavalry team had a large number of lower-level nobles. Each knight brought his retinue of cavalry to the battle. They had to bring their own weapons and armor. All equipment was uneven, and even the quality of the horses was uneven.
If you have money, you will buy good horses; if you lack money, you will make up for it with bad horses. This is why Gilbert's cavalry took many days to arrive at Maastricht from his hometown of Namur.
The knights were powerless to implement the lord's request, and many of them were overexerting their horse power in the continuous charge. Some of the knights saw that their mounts were panting heavily, so they simply dismounted temporarily to reduce the load on their horses.
Looking left and right, Gilbert knew what the problem was, and he was afraid that if he forced his vassals to attack again, only a few would respond.
Then simply rest for a while? The battle has entered a confrontation that he least wants to see.
One side had its back to the Meuse River and continued to increase its troops. Although there were more than 300 casualties in the battle due to stampedes and attacks, such exaggerated losses would not force the Russian army to collapse.
The other side was exhausted and out of breath, and urgently needed some time to rest before attacking again.
At this critical window of time, the two sides in the fierce battle were launching their offensive again.
Looking at the Maas River, Blue Fox's failure to cross the river is definitely not because of his sudden cowardice. He is well aware of the tactical advantage of the Ross Army. Now it is time to organize the navy and engineers to untie the large ships anchored on the river and make everything comfortable. The anchors are
The winch was raised, and all the big ships floated downstream along the current. The big ships didn't even care about hindering the movement of the long boats crossing the river. They were maneuvered to get as close to the landing probe as possible, and then anchored again at the appropriate time.
Lan Hu personally led the standing army and rowed a boat from the broken bridge to re-land in the city according to the original plan. He ignored the fierce battle on the battlefield in the north of the city for the time being, and his top priority was to set fire to the city as planned.
As a result, white mist began to rise from some thatched houses, and then yellow smoke began to appear. It gradually turned black, and finally the arsonist saw clear flames.
As long as there are some fire points, it is enough. The houses in Maastricht are lined up in rows. Ordinary people can only live in houses made of wooden structures. On weekdays, if a house catches fire, people can quickly get water directly from the river.
Fires were put out, but now a large number of fire spots have begun to appear in the east area of the city, and no one has set fire to them.
"Have you thrown away all the torches?" he asked loudly.
The soldiers who returned empty-handed gathered at the Broken Bridge Pier. Behind them were flames and thick smoke, and only time was enough.
Blue Fox examined it: "Okay! Now follow me and go to the north of the city to support the friendly forces."
The quickest option for support is to float downstream in boats, which the standing army is doing.
While drifting, they noticed an unusual commotion in the residential area, followed by shouts of killing. To the surprise of the sergeants, a large cavalry team suddenly appeared.
"No! We have to retreat!"
No matter how Lan Hu covered his head and screamed, there was nothing he could do to stop it now.
The current situation was what he feared the most. Finally, due to the continuous fermentation of emergencies, the Ross coalition had to fight against the odds and usher in the group charge of the Frankish cavalry.
Let’s talk about General Tristan who deliberately stood still.
Gilbert charged again without permission. It was obvious that only a small number of Normans had landed, and the time for the cavalry to overwhelm the enemy's main force was not yet ripe. The rash attack was within his expectation. Considering that Gilbert was the king's son-in-law, he himself
Even if you intend to stop him from acting out of impulse, there is neither the opportunity nor the necessary obligation.
If Gilbert died in battle, it would be the young man who paid the heaviest price for his recklessness.
As a result, the development of the battle was unexpected, and Ramengao's cavalry managed to achieve great results under the leadership of the count.
Even so, Tristan waited, hoping that more Normans would land.
But it seemed that Gilbert didn't even care that his horse was too tired and launched a second charge. It was too dangerous.
Has the time come? Maybe.
As the secretly observing subordinates reported to Tristan that the large Norman ships were drifting downstream, so-called movements towards the battlefield, he had to consider taking drastic measures.
"Are they planning to escape? It's very possible. The Normans always run for their lives after suffering a loss."
He thought for a while, finally pulled out his sword, and turned around to look at the warriors behind him who were getting ready to go.
"The time has come! Soldiers, raise your spears high! Trumpeter, give the signal to all the flag troops. Let's go!"
Different from the low tone of the northern bullhorn, Frank's small brass horn was clear and piercing. This was an excellent charge signal, so all the elite heavy cavalry who had been ambushing gradually revealed their true identities.
The sudden situation was beyond Askard's expectation. He originally thought that the enemy was the group of cavalry in front of him, but why did more of them appear? Could it be that the Franks had exhausted all their elites?
Continue to fight them to the death?!
If his father Arik was standing here, he probably wasn't afraid to fight hard in the face of danger, right? However, he and his brothers could really withstand the overwhelming cavalry attack.
Askard was still able to remain calm. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed his brothers on the left and right. They had just grown beards and still looked very immature. They were all trembling violently unconsciously, and some even had their legs trembling.
Take a closer look at the newly-appeared cavalry. Their helmets are strongly reflective under the scorching sun. These people almost look like they have spear shafts in their hands.
No! That's riding a spear. Everything is just like what we witnessed on the Elbe River two years ago. Is history about to repeat itself on the banks of the Maas River?
"Boss, I'm afraid. What should we do? Just continue to stand here?"
"That's right. We don't even have spears, how can we stop them?"
The old man next to him complained in fear, and Askard had no intention of scolding him, because Kelha hurriedly came over. The real Count of Finland did not want to retreat, and watched his man lead a group of new Russian troops to resist stupidly,
If they were killed on a large scale, wouldn't they themselves be implicated and die?
"Askard! We have to retreat. If King Rurik were here, he would never fight the enemy's cavalry unless necessary. Even if it is a battle, it must be close to the river."
"What do you want to say?"
"What I mean is that I have to retreat until my heels can touch the river. Behind us are the ships. Let the Franks charge! If they are really crazy, even if they overwhelm us, they will definitely bring all the men and horses with them.
Rush into the river."
】
Kelha's words at the critical moment reminded Askard. He saw that the newly appeared cavalry did not charge with all their strength, but organized themselves to ride on the wall and gradually approached. He knew that this meant that this was an approaching tactic before the actual charge.
, and this short window of time is the final opportunity for the Russian army to make adjustments.
Askard struck the round shield with the hilt of his sword, and shouted to wake up the entire shield wall: "Brothers! Retreat steadily! Until our heels can touch the water of the river."
The Seventh Flag Team has now completely given up on its wounded. The soldiers seemed to be withdrawing with sadness and anger. They did not really retreat, but many friendly troops really started to jump on the boat again, planning to float to the river again to avoid risks.
, and as a result, they were completely blocked on the landing beach with the subsequent friendly forces that landed.
They also left their wounded behind, at least dragging some who were slightly injured to the riverside.
Behind the coalition forces are all armed cargo ships and sail destroyers. The torsion slingshots installed on the sides of each ship facing the city have never been removed.
The torsion slingshot used to attack Aachen was relocated urgently. Now the main heavy weapon of the Russian army was almost completely "facing the enemy". Navy soldiers and engineers wearing felt sunhats were working hard to wind the slingshot while the ship was drifting.
, previous actual combat proved that the javelin launched by the slingshot has unparalleled lethality against the enemy's heavy cavalry, and the current countermeasures must mainly rely on it.
The decks of these large ships were full of people standing on the enemy side, with torsion slingshots and steel-armed crossbows ready to go. They wanted to serve as a strong backing for the friendly forces and do their best to delay the enemy's attack.
"Are you trying to escape? Norman robbers, don't even think about running away!"
With his eyes as wide as copper bells, Tristan's iron sword pointed directly at the Norman landing beach. The attack of the entire army also forced Ramon's high army, who had not yet finished resting, to take action a second time. In this way, the Frankish cavalry launched their most ferocious attack.
.
The war horses began to trot in groups, and the lances moved forward in unison.
The cavalry regiment completely caused panic in the entire Russian coalition. So far, it seems that only the Seventh Banner, the Finnish Army, and Inval's Danish soldiers, with nearly a thousand people standing on the back of large ships and a large number of half-stranded longships, are holding on.
As for the others, they were indeed far away from the landing place, and now they were still forced by the strong pressure of the cavalry legion to literally abandon their armor and head straight to their own ships in an attempt to escape.
Some people with good legs and feet have already fled to the river, while those who are slow are destined to be reduced to pulp under the trampling of countless horses' hooves.
But the Ross Army will not let them succeed easily.
Obviously the distance was far, so all the torsion slingshots were launched almost at the same time. The slingshots on both sides gathered on one side, and the torsion slingshots originally used for land warfare found a temporary position and placed them on the side of the ship.
Eighty slingshots can launch eighty javelins in one salvo. They are powerful and heavy. The special structure of the tail fins makes them spin wildly when launched. They sacrifice a little range but gain some additional tactical advantages. These javelins are extremely accurate.
, the rotating tail caused a loud roar, and roared past the heads of the panicked army.
The javelin pierced the dense wall. This was Tristan's first crazy experience in his life. He had never seen such a tactic before, and he immediately thought of the warning Count Ramongao had given him. However, he could no longer tell his subordinates to avoid it.
There is no use in evading, it is like an arrow leaving the string. He can only seize the key opportunity to kill the enemy as much as possible.
Not surprisingly, these javelins hit the cavalry on a large scale. Under the strong momentum, even the iron armor pieces of the cloth armor could not withstand the gouge of the nearly one-pound giant needle-shaped carbon steel spear head. At least the current Frank armor
The stomach is not strong enough to withstand the precise fire of this bulky weapon.
Some of the cavalrymen began to fall, and Tristan's worst fear soon occurred.
The Frankish cavalry's lance charge was also divided into several groups, with a certain distance between each group in line. However, what they encountered was almost a low-level shot from a torsion slingshot. After all, the Ross army also had some experience in dealing with cavalry.
If you want to fight, attack the guys at the head of the team.
To organize such a large cavalry team, the top commander must wear eye-catching clothing and must have a flag officer by his side. Doesn't this tell the enemy "I am a big shot"? This is true, and it is not that he is stupid. Askard
He is still wearing a helmet with a huge feather decoration, and he is still an important target.
This is a trade-off. What Tristan needs is a decisive victory, and personal life and death can be ignored.
So benevolence is rewarded, and some people are targeted by the operators of multiple torsion slingshots.
The javelin crossed a low parabola, inflicting an extremely fatal blow to the vanguard's lance.
A javelin tragically penetrated the neck of Tristan's horse. Although it was a coincidence, it was inevitable. The javelin penetrated the horse's neck. He was charging with a sword and his body pressed against the horse's mane. The spear tip
It smashed through his armor and even blasted through the lining of the chainmail.
The javelin did not penetrate further into Tristan's body, but one of his ribs was broken.
Perhaps, if he had also worn the cutting-edge breastplate that only the elite soldiers of Rus had, he would never have suffered this fate.
He was thrown off the horse, and his broken ribs directly penetrated his lungs due to the second impact. The deflated lungs were making a terrifying and weird whine.
"Oops! Fatal injury!"
However, Tristan himself had been thrown out. He fell heavily to the ground and subconsciously covered his bleeding chest, but did not dare to let out the breath he was holding.
He was facing a fatal pneumothorax, and thanks to his good health he was forced to stagger to his feet.
No one noticed that their general fell from his horse, and the following cavalry noticed that friendly troops had suffered unusual casualties. They subconsciously adjusted their positions for fear that their horses would trample the injured friendly troops.
The war horse galloped past Tristan, who was half kneeling on the ground. He suddenly felt something welling up in his chest. Unable to hold it in, he spurted out a mouthful of blood. Now he saw that his men were trampling and poking
He shot down the Norman soldiers who were unable to escape, and also saw Count Ramongo join the battle.
He couldn't help but smile, but suddenly his body felt weak and the world was spinning, and he fell down.
Just as he was dying, his eyes saw thick smoke billowing in the direction of the city, and his last smile instantly turned into horror.
There is no need to be afraid anymore, everything is over...