Entry Five
War continues.
Weather was still rainy and hot, though tolerable all things considered.
Topped the grade overlooking the River of Tears and found the enemy encamped along both banks. Tuchuk immediately took the offensive opportunity and swept down the grade taking the enemy, for the most part, by surprise in the early morning ahns.
The RoT was at the high water mark and the current was swift making a retreat for the enemy almost impossible. The current was too much for the two legged tharlarion to maintain good balance and too swift for a direct swimming route. Some did manage to swim as the current carried them downriver and out of the action. I am happy to report it was a very one-sided engagement and quickly won by Tuchuk.
Not wishing to lose the momentum, I ordered the crossing of the River of Tears and assault of the Southern bank. The enemy did not seem to believe we would cross and appeared shocked the assault was pressed. They lined the bank using bows, expecting that to be enough combined with the formidable river.
I have no doubt had the Turian Commanders survived both ban battles, they would have been put to death for underestimating the wagons, the incedible rate of fire in which a Tuchuk can loose arrows, and the fighting spirit of a Tuchuk defending the bosk and the wagons and family when they are threatened directly.
Outriders drew their fire while heavy freighters made the crossing backed by Oralus. When the wagons were in range, they, filled with Warriors, began volley fire with their bows well protected by the wagon boxes and arrow ports. The Outriders leading the assault were able to fall back behind the massed firepower of the wagons, regroup, then all the forward Oralu's advanced rapidly overtaking most of the enemy forces before they could mount up and make an adequate fight of it. Dismounted forces, reduced to scattered elements using short swords primarily do not do well against mounted forces with longer ranged weapons with missile weapon support.
This assault also became a full route of the enemy force.
Our wounded and dead were gathered by the main columns as it advanced, crossed the river suffering some losses along the way and reached the Southern side of the river. There they tended to the wounded of both bank battles, saw to our fallen, and after setting up a perimeter defense settled in for the night and remained in place the next day regrouping and getting as much rest as possible, tending the stock and seeing to repairs.
It was much welcomed and needed rest.
Enemy casualties................ 7,000 plus
Enemy captives.................. 0
Tuchuk casualties............... 2,037 (Dead, wounded, and injured)
Tuchuk Missing in Action...... 397
I expect these number of Tuchuk to fluctuate as some will return that were carried downriver, stragglers will return from pursuing the enemy beyond the recall, etc.
The loss of a single Tuchuk is felt, but from a Commander's perspective, it was a clear victory. I do not expect such victories again. I expect the enemy to not underestimate us again, nor is it likely they will be caught unawares again. Costly lessons learned.
End Report.
