Battle of Acre

In an attempt to relieve the Siege of Acre , Saladin attacked the Christian forces of King Guy de Lusignan on 4 October 1189. Salah ad-Din's forces, from Egypt, Turkestan, Syria and Mesopotamia, faced 30,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry.
The Christians, trapped between Salah ad-Din's troops and the walls of Acre, did not fight coherently. but an attack on Salah ad-Din's right wing was successful, and Salah ad-Din was forced to send reinforcements from other parts of the field, allowing the Christian centre to advance. Salah ad-Din's centre and right flank fled.
The Christians scattered to plunder, allowing Salah ad-Din to rally his troops and unleash his light cavcalry on the retreating looters. Guy de Lusignan sewnt his reserves in support, leaving his camp unguarded, allowing the garrison of Acre to sally and attack the Christian left flank from the rear and inflict heavy casualties.
The Christians lost between 5,000 and 10,000 men in the battle, including Gerard de Ridefort, Grand Master of the Templars. But Saladin could not fully defeat the Christian forces without another pitched battle, and his victory was incomplete.

Conflict Type

Battle