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Sunday, January 28, 2024

The bridge at Ramleh the French and Mamelukes clash

Napoleon's spies have revealed to him the one intact bridge to the Levant. He has ordered  Klebler to march and capture the bridge with all haste. Arriving after a forced march, Klebler has discovered the bridge still standing guarded by a force commanded by Murad Bey moving into positions supporting an entrenched battery guarding the crossing. The town is garrisoned by the local Bey Mustafa consisting of some light guns, a camel battery and around 3000 fellahin amongst the stone buildings. Murad Bey is moving his division of infantry supported by a brigade of cavalry from the far side of the river to positions supporting the town however the appearance of the French have jeopardized this plan.



    




The French force consists of 6 Demi brigades of infantry with divisional artillery and a Light Brigade of cavalry under General Dumas. Avoiding the Mameluke heavy guns, Klebler deploys his infantry to the right and rapidly advances against the garrison supported on his right by Dumas who seizes the high ground to the South of the town. The French advance quickly supported by Dumas's horse artillery and the Division's Foot battery. The Mameluke cavalry moves to their left to threaten the French right and block their cavalry.













The French advance under supporting fire of the artillery and covered by their cavalry. Soon the Mameluke cavalry mass and charge driving the outclassed French light cavalry off in disorder but not before the supporting French infantry squares block their advance supports by their screens of skirmishers and supporting guns. The Mameluke cavalry retire in good order to reform.








Meanwhile the French infantry launch a series of attacks against the town capturing several blocks only to be thrown out by determined Mameluke counterattacks. Rallying the infantry The French launch another counterattack driving the Mameluke garrison from the town and securing it.










The Final French push breaks the will of the Mameluke force which retreats from the field covered by their cavalry to live to fight another day. The Mamelukes lost around 2000 men, several guns while the French lost around 300 but captured the bridge and town.

 

 



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