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Things are going well for the British column as both enemy mounted and foot suffer severe reverses at the wadi and
the desert crest and are now in full flight. Can the advantage be exploited? |
Apologies for the delay in getting this final instalment up on the blog however their have been distractions from outside the hobby and within in the past fortnight - all of them good! So without further delay lets see how this particular scenario played out.
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| Beja or good old fashioned Fuzzy Wuzzies as I like to call them, hit the 28th! |
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| Colonel Sinjin Neville-Bird prepares to lead by example |
I touched earlier on in part one of the game that the various Regimental Colonels that were being played by actual players were allowed to have a characteristic that would assist them during the game. Colonel Neville-Bird, played by Martin in typical fashion was blessed as follows:
“Son of Mars”
This particular chap grew up reading of the exploits of
Alexander, Leonidas and The Black Prince and so believes himself to be a 19th
century warrior poet best suited for earlier times. He is a dashing and courageous leader who
fights from the front and adds a +1 on every melee combat result he is actively
involved in.
He is more inclined to take a wound however and must
roll a d6 after every round of fighting.
On a roll of 1-4 he is unscathed.
Roll of a 5 gives him one wound and a 6 gives him two wounds.
If this takes him over his capacity he has died a hero for
Queen and Country.
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The Royal Marine Light Infantry continue their pursuit of a defeated group of natives as
the Naval Brigade look for a drink along with their mules. |
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Back at the rear of the column the Egyptians get a move on along with the intrepid newsman Roger Pack..."Now tell
me how do you spell Gadafhi?" |
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| The advance goes pressing on - the village is cleared and the rocky outcrop is next. |
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| Another view of the victorious column cavalry having done a sterling job |
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| As if the 28th Bengal Native Infantry don't have enough on their plate more Hadendowah appear on the flank |
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| A rallying cry from the Emir manages to bring around this retreat. |
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| A view down the table to show just how far the column lead elements have travelled... |
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| ...and indeed how close they are to their objective |
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| The 9th Bengal Lancers, albeit with severely depleted ranks, once again take on the enemy whilst the 10th Hussars, much fresher than their colonial colleague counterparts, give a mighty cry as they surge into the foot. |
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| Near the oasis the 28th fight for dear life on a number of fronts |
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| "Hold the line their Sergeant Patel!" |
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| Fierce fighting just outside the wadi and within spitting distance of the town. |
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| "Haven't you ever seen the hand of God before?" - Martin takes off some casualties as they try and outlast the Beja. |
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| The Gordon's continue their advance up to the rocks as enemy cavalry appear past the palms |
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| From the rear another captured Egyptian gun appears - lovely Greg Blake designed Cannon Fodder miniatures piece |
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| Column of companies with a long way to march |
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| Colonel Ponsonby and General Cole use all their dexterity to move their men forward. |
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The Mahdists are again in flight before the town walls as the garrison looks on having not fired a shot
under direct orders from their commanding Governor. "No point egging them on you know old boy!" |
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The local Emir is not prepared to go down without a fight and sends forth more mounted and foot to take
on the RMLI and the Gordon's, the latter fresh from having destroyed the enemy rifles. |
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An incredible battle. The brave and courageous Fuzzies "stuck" in the melee with Martins lads for two
miraculous turns however in the end their lack of numbers couldn't sway the outcome. The 28th are safe
but, as you can see, have received an incredible mauling |
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| As Major General Cole rides to the gates the RMLI receive a mounted charge and prepare to open fire...and miss!! |
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| At the same time the 10th Hussars make short work of this isolated band of Mahdists |
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The 9th Bengal Lancers finally see off the brave Hadendowah cavalry who have been harassing them for most
of the day. |
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The Mahdists who had gathered on the hill in menacing numbers high-tail it off the board as the Scots move
up to engage them. Something to be said about men in kilts hey Graham C?
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Having already rebuffed the passioned entreaties from several junior officers sent to the town to convince him
to leave the town, major General Cole himself fronts up. |
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| He still looks quite defiant atop the roof |
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However even this fool can see that the time has come to make his way down the stairs with his good lady and seek
a cool Gin and Tonic at the Bengal Club back in Suakin. |
Despite the losses from the 9th Bengal Lancers and the 28th Bengal Foot, the column arrived in reasonable shape.
The scenario itself was enormous fun, made all the better by the fine spirit in which the game was played. Well done to all the lads for enjoying their exploits in the Sudan.
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| The players in our Victorian romp: From the left Mark H (Colonel The Honourable William Ponsonby), my good self, Stephen B (Colonel Alastair MacDonald), Steve N (Major General Cole), Steve Y (Colonel William Gibson), Martin S (Colonel Sir Sinjin Neville-Bird)... |
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| ...and missing the photograph as he was still bringing up the rear the irrepressible Mark B (Colonel Gadhafi) |
I will post in a week or so a few of the rules and scenario notes we used in the game for reference and comment.
All the very best.
