7 sett 1101 anni - Battle of Ramla

Descrizione:

The First Battle of Ramla, fought on 7 September 1101, was a critical engagement between the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Fatimids of Egypt. The battlefield was strategically located near Ramla, on the road from Jerusalem to Ascalon, a major Fatimid fortress. The Egyptian forces were led by Saad el-Dawleh, former governor of Beirut, while the Crusaders were commanded by King Baldwin I. Despite being significantly outnumbered with only 260 cavalry and 900 foot soldiers against the Egyptian's larger force estimated between 3,000 to 5,000 men, Baldwin managed a tactical deployment of his troops into six divisions, reserving personal command of the last.

The battle commenced with severe Crusader losses as the first divisions were decimated and the vanguard nearly wiped out. Historian Fulcher of Chartres noted the initial Egyptian advantage, with the Crusaders on the brink of defeat. However, Baldwin capitalized on an Egyptian overextension during their pursuit, ordering a fierce counter-attack with his reserve force. This move led to intense close-quarter combat, eventually causing the Egyptian forces to retreat in disarray back towards Ascalon.

Despite the near defeat, the Crusaders achieved a significant victory, securing the Kingdom of Jerusalem against immediate Fatimid threats. The Egyptians suffered heavy losses, including their general Saad al-Daulah, with casualties around 5,000 as reported by Fulcher of Chartres. Crusader casualties were also substantial, including 80 knights and numerous infantry.

The aftermath of the battle was marked by confusion; approximately 500 Fatimid troops mistakenly advanced to Jaffa, where Baldwin's wife, Arda, was falsely informed of his death. A request for aid was sent to Tancred in Antioch, but this proved unnecessary as Baldwin returned victorious the following day, dispersing the remaining Egyptian forces. Despite the victory, Ascalon remained under Fatimid control, posing ongoing strategic challenges to Baldwin and the Crusader Kingdom, leading to further conflicts at Ramla the subsequent year.

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