Hey
Rumil and everyone,
Its good to see the thread up and running again.
Saurons motives for this clash seem more complex than I previously thought.
Firstly the Nazgul had to cross the Anduin, nice quote
Nilpaurion about rivers being a barrier to the Wraiths, in UT p.344 it then goes on to say that "the Nazgul would not touch the 'Elvish' waters of the Baranduin".(I wonder if any residue of Ulmos power also helps to spook the Nazgul when they approach running water?)
Secondly, the action at Osgiliath definately helped to distract the Wise from the Gollum rescue caper too, two attacks by Saurons forces at the same time in vastly separate regions is a cunning way to feint and cloak his true intentions from the Wise.
Thirdly, the unveiling of Angmar and his brethren upon the Gondorians:
Quote:
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On taking the bridge, the Nazgul dismounted, disrobed and made their way through Osgiliath unseen, but terrifying the inhabitants.
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This is a definate Psychops tactic to unnerve and dishearten Gondors military and populace, "the terror of their passing was so great that many folk fled from the land, and went wildly away north and west" UTp.339 But the appearance of the Nazgul was percieved, by the Gondorians at any rate, as the vanguard of open war, their true primary mission however was always to find the Ring, a strategy of upmost secrecy and importance in Saurons thoughts.
In UT p.338 perhaps another more subtle motive is also touched upon for the Osgiliath action:
Quote:
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Thus Sauron tested the strength and preparedness of Denethor
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Given that Sauron had been trying to break Denethors spirit through the Palantir for some time preceeding this clash, he probably expected to meet low morale and limited resistance, making immediate all-out invasion at least a possibility in Saurons mind. It is therefore a credit to Denethor and Gondors valour (and a blessing for free-folk everywhere) that Sauron 'found them more than he had hoped' and thus they managed to take out the bridge (unsure how they did this though?) and buy some crucial time to reset their border defence tactics.