Don't let the movie confuse you. The entire Helm's Deep campaign makes a
lot more strategic and tactical sense in the book, and the fortress is
well-defended by the Rohirrim (including some archers). Jackson seems to
have made the whole thing pathetic, with the last-minute rescue by the elves,
as part of his bizarre "Men are weak" theme. It's quite an insult to the
brave Rohirrim and Theoden's strong leadership, if you ask me!
Anyway, Helm's Deep was assualted by a large mix of men
(Dunlendings), orcs, and hybrid man-orcs. Many of them carried
bows--crossbows are never mentioned in Tolkien. They certainly did
outnumber the defenders and darn near took the fortress, but the sallying
attack from the Hornburg, combined with a flank assault by Gandalf with
Erkenbrand's forces, managed to crack the attack and drive the Isengarders
out. Those that fled into the unexpected huorn forest were wiped out.
The appendices give a really good account of the whole campaign,
well worth reading and studying with a good
map.
Matthew/Ugluk
http://www.larp.com/orcs/
