Assault on Osgiliath

On June 20 of TA 3018, the forces of Sauron assaulted the ruined city of Osgiliath, in what would become the first battle of the War of the Ring.
== History ==
=== Prelude ===
Prior to the battle, Sauron had regained all his military strength and was prepared to attack his enemies. He first planned to attack his most powerful enemy, the land of Gondor, where "the hammer stroke will fall hardest", but in order to destroy Gondor's capital, Minas Tirith, he first needed to capture Osgiliath, a ruined fortress-city strategically positioned on the Anduin river. Fords across the river were located in the ruined city (half of Osgiliath was located on each side of the river) that were the only path a large army could cross the Anduin for hundreds of miles up or downstream (from Cair Andros to Pelargir). If captured, Sauron could freely move his main army across the river and to the primary target of his strategy in the war, Minas Tirith. The attack was a probing attack, meant to test the strength and preparedness of Denethor II and also provided the necessary cover for the Nazgûl to cross the Anduin and begin their hunt for the Shire.
=== The battle ===
As later related by Boromir to the Council of Elrond, Sauron's forces came upon Osgiliath without warning, outnumbering the Men of Gondor which defended the city under Boromir and Faramir's command. Aided by Easterlings and Haradrim, and led by the Witch-king, Sauron's forces overwhelmed the defenses, forcing the Men of Gondor to break the last bridge over the Anduin as they retreated. Still, only Boromir, Faramir, and two others escaped the battle, swimming to the western shore.
Once the bridge was destroyed, Sauron ceased the assault in order to allow the Ringwraiths to begin searching for the One Ring.
=== Aftermath ===
Orcs under the command of Sauron attacked Thranduil's people in Mirkwood on the same day with the intent of freeing Gollum, with both battles concurrently a major prelude to the War of the Ring. Following the attack East Osgiliath was where the Siege towers were constructed in preparation for the assault on Gondor. Sauron would attack West Osgiliath some nine months later, this time succeeding in conquering the entire city and clearing the way for the Siege of Gondor.