Get your own Free HomepageAlthough out numbering the Dulieban forces by more than 2 to 1, Natan recognised the inexperience and the over abundance of weaker quality light horse in his army and resolved to rely on them as little as possible.
As the Khazarian army of 17000 marched down the road to Orogur to deal
with the entrapped Dulieban army of 5250, the forward scouts reported to
the Khagan that the Duliebans were moving towards them with the hope of
gaining the north end of the bank of the river at Orogur to aid their defense.
On the Khazarian right and the far side of the river was the little town
of Orogur. Beyond was a large area of brushy ground. Left of
this the road
crossed a ford. On the near side of the river and left of the
road was a small marsh seperated from the river by a large gentle hill
abutted to the river.
The Duliebans were deployed in two columns rushing forward to gain the river bank with Gavril Gurgieva on the Khazar left hand side and Zlatco Raev on the right of the road.
Quickly Natan, realising the importance of haste, sent Shraya rushing
off to the left to support his own command`s main attack across the river.
On Natan`s right the large command of Avrahan was deployed with the artillery
stradling the road so that it too could rush forward. Dengizich`s
force of Zenkeki allies was furthest to the right.
Natan`s command quickly gained the far bank while Shraya moved to the
paltry river in support. While Avrahan`s forces after quickly moving
the artillery to cover the ford dawdled forward. Dengigizich`s force
was keen to get involved but were delayed by the river being easy rather
than paltry in their sector and the deployment of a lone skirmisher against
them by Zlatco. Meanwhile perceiving a huge gape in the Dulieban`s line
Natan pressed agressively forward with the intention of surrounding and
capturing the Dulieban leader.
Gavril quickly turned his flank to flank Natan`s advance while Zlatco understanding his leader`s intention did the same threatening the Natan`s command`s right. Gavril`s light horse swept forward agressively so that Natan was now surrounded on 3 sides. Shraya lauched an agressive assault across the river with some support on his right by Natan`s Kasogians. These held from being swept back into the river while Natan spotting a weakness in the angle formed in the Dulieban line sent the Khazar skirmishers (who were not supposed to get involved) in to turn the flank of Gavril`s flankers.
The Duliebans held, counter attacked the flankers who not only held but drove some of the Duliebans back. Next as Natan`s position appeared to worsen with Zlatco`s cavalry arriving on the seen, a Dulieban light horse unit was detroyed by a heroic Khazar skirmisher and Natan personally sent his bodyguard forward. This combined attack on the angle swept away more enemy elements as Shraya`s forces pressed forward more resolutely destroying a cavalry and light horse element. Meanwhile the bulk of Gavril`s better cavalry were still countermarching to assist the attack on Natan`s command and made negligible contribution to the fight.
Gavril`s command due to mounting casualties finaly broke. Meanwhile, Zlatco`s forces broke through Natan`s right flank, over-running 2 spear units and were about to pounce on the rear of Natan`s command when the collapse in Gavril`s command plus his own threatened encirclement caused his forces to lose heart. On the far right Dengizich`s force had finally surrounded and destroyed the lone Dulieban delayer and were driving forward into Zlatco`s rear while Avrahan`s forces had finally crossed the river and were preparing to assault Zlatco`s front.
Despite the difference in numbers involved it was a short, sharp, swirling
battle with mistakes on both sides that could have led to either`s defeat,
but the Khagan Natan`s cool head and Gavril`s poor use of his best troops
were one main difference. Also, the heroism of the Khazar skirmishers
did not fail to get the Khagan`s notice.
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