Assaults on Hithlum

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.

Second Assault on Hithlum
Conflict: War of the Jewels
Date: F.A. 462
Place: Hithlum
Outcome: Victory for the Noldor
Combatants
Noldor, Elves of the Falas, Edain	Orc armies
Commanders
Galdor † Húrin Fingon Círdan
Strength
Men of Dor-lómin, Elves of Fingon, Elves of Círdan	Orcs
Casualties
Galdor, both Elves and Men	Unknown, suffered "heavy slaughter"

The Second Assault on Hithlum was one of minor battles in the Wars of Beleriand. It occurred seven years after the Dagor Bragollach when Morgoth sent an invasion of Hithlum. It began with a bitter attack through the passes of the Ered Wethrin and a siege of Eithel Sirion. At the fortress Galdor fell, pierced by an arrow. Húrin replaced his father in command, and drove the Orcs from the mountains and across the sands of Anfauglith.

However, an army also came from Angband into Hithlum from the north, leading to battle upon the plains. Initially King Fingon was outnumbered and hard-pressed until Círdan sent a task force up the Firth of Drengist which fell upon the Orcs from the west. This broke the Orc-host, which fled to the Iron Mountains.