Khartoum - Turn 8

We're very much in the home straight now with both Columns approaching Khartoum, the Desert Column is one turn in the lead. This week the Nile Column had to cross its main forces over the river whilst the Desert Column was attacking the outer defences, having made the crossing in last week's games.

Nile Column - crossing at Metemmeh

The British begin with half their forces across the river and the remainder making their way across on boats. The aim is to hold the bridgehead and see off the Mahdist attacks. The British deployed themselves on the far bank the Egyptians moving up in support in the boats.  

Bridgehead across the Nile

The Mahdists opted to surround the bridgehead and attack it from all sides - a risky strategy as they could be hit in piecemeal attack.  However their moral was high and they shrugged-off British fire and charged straight into the square.     

Mahdists attack the square

Before you could  say "Isandlwana" two units of British had been reduced to a single corporal holding the line. Things were perilous with half the bridgehead gone when the Egyptians  landed and went straight into action. 

Corporal Jones holds the line

Luckily the luck turned and Mahdists became bogged-down under Egyptian fire, eventually falling back. Remarkably the British held on but with heavy losses for an 8-8 Draw.  

 

Desert Column  - the outer defences

The outer defences of Khartoum included a small fort/blockhouse and some rifle positions on steep slopes with good fields of fire. The defenders strung some riflemen across the ridge and occupied the blockhouse in the centre of their position.

The British chose to attack the western end of the ridge with most of their forces whilst using a unit of Camel Corps to screen their flank. 

British advance

   

After a hard struggle the British were able to push the Mahdists rifles off the ridge and take the position. Most of the Mahdist strength lay beyond the ridge and so there was a fierce counter attack against the Camel Corps. They clung on but were unable to fully take the position leading to a Mahdist Win.   

The ridge falls

The ridge is retaken

Campaign Position. 

So a major struggle for the British on both fronts but they press on despite the losses. In the next game the Desert Column will lead the assault on Khartoum.   

Around the world in several games

On top if the current Sudan campaign I've played a few other games over the last couple of weeks. 

Medieval Japan

The first is some samurai skirmish using Test of Honour. The game scale is fairly small with either individual figures of blocks of 3. Activation is done using drawn from a bag with leaders have more possible actions available than ordinary troops.       

A peaceful looking village

The rules are fast and furious with options to act honourably /dishonourably, special events and a wide variety of troops / weapons.   

Persian Civil War - The Society of Ancient battle day

 I also made my first visit to the SOA battle day just off the M4. The idea is to play the same battle but using different sets of rules. Some games have spare places and there is a chance to wander about and speak to the other players about their games. 

 

The game I played - Armati II

This years game was Cunaxa - a Persian civil war scenario from 401 BC. In the real game the outnumbered rebel forces under Cyrus the younger attacked the larger Royal army under Artaxerxes. The battle is possibly best know for the presence of 10,000 Greeks under Clearchus, who ended up on the wrong side and had to march back to Greece through occupied territory.    

An interesting feature of the day was the number of games using grid or hex based systems. I would say about half the games featuring this mechanic.

Pillage - Ransacking the dark ages.

The final game in the round-up is another game of Pillage. In this game I was attacking and had to attack a fortified tower surrounded by a high wall. The aim was to get a flag to the top of the tower within 10 turns.  

The distraction unit - guys in red shirts

Ladders up - my Helmsdeep moment

I weas able to win the game in turn 9 by attacking the outside wall of the tower while some sacrificial troops kept the defenders best troops busy.   

 

I reach the top of the tower

Khartoum - Turn 7

Turn 7 began with the news that Khartoum was now cut off and supplies were dwindling, so both columns needed to keep up the pace. The Nile Column had to  take the fortified town of Abu Hamed and the Desert Column had to cross the Nile at Gubrat. 

Desert Column - Gubrat Crossing

The game begins with the British having got about half their troops across the  river when a Mahdist force arrives to attack them. They must hold the bridgehead, land the remaining troops and then survive for 12 turns in total.    

British well set in their beachhead  

The British formed a hollow square against the Nile with the Gatling in one corner. The mounted troops and Egyptians began on the boats.  

Mahdists advance 

The Mahdists focused their main attacks against the left and front of the square with only the Beja camels against the right side. The first half of the game was smooth sailing for the British with multiple Mahdist units pinned and the Egyptians and some Camel Corps safely landed.  

The attack closes in but is contained

Disaster struck though with two British units breaking in successive moves and a large hole opening up in the square which led to the loss of the Gatling. The timely intervention of the Lancers and some recently arrive Camel Corps stabilised the position, allowing a narrow British Win.  

The Gatling is lost but the day is saved 

Nile Column - Abu Hamed

The Mahdists have made Abu Hamed a bastion to defend the Nile, with defences in place and artillery stationed in towers. The British are reinforced by their Gunboat. The British have 12 turns to take the town.

The British massed most of their troops near the Nile with a small force demonstrating in to the left of the town to keep the Mahdists honest. They commenced with a bombardment as they slowly advanced on the town. Losses were not heavy on the defenders but their morale was a bit shaky and several units withdrew from the front line.   

British approaching the town

As the British approached the town, time was running out for them and a Mahdist win looked likely, so they threw some cavalry into the fight. It met with some success but at heavy cost.   

Egyptian Gendarmes charge 

The final two turns were tense - the British had a single unit that managed to reach the objective in the town centre but the Mahdists had a unit that might be able to challenge them and stop the win. Sadly for the Mahdists it became pinned and was unable to to move, leading to another narrow British Win.        

The British grab the objective 

Campaign Situation

As we head into turn 8 both columns are short on supplies and time. The Desert Column is ahead as it attacks the outer defences of Khartoum currently in Mahdist hands. The Nile column is behind and must move its troops across the Nile to begin its final advance.

    

Khartoum - Turn 6

This week saw grave news as communication was lost with Khartoum as the siege tightened around the city. Both columns were in action as they look to break through to relieve them.

Nile Column - night attack

With the column encamped for the night the Mahdists launched a sneak attack under cover of darkness. The scenario involves some hidden movement through the use of "blinds" until the attackers are spotted. 

British camp

The early action saw the Egyptian cavalry on picket duty decide to try and clear-out the Mahdist rifles they had detected approaching the camp. They charged boldly but became cut-off and were wiped out.  

Egyptian horse attack

Mahdists reach the zareba

Around the Nile the Mahdists managed to get to the zareba but were pinned down by rifle fire and pushed back. With loses mounting they decide to withdraw leaving a British Win.   

Desert Column - the wells at Abu Kru

This game was based on the real action at Abu Kru - once again the Desert Column are in need of water and are trying to get to the wells. Dug-in Mahdists oppose them and have prepared some rifle pits on high ground.   

Camel Corps move forward

The British advanced as quickly as possible with the gatling being position to give covering fire. With speed needed they attacked with the camel corps, which damaged the Mahdists but at some cost. 

Struggle around the wells

The British made a series of assaults against the defenders and forced them back from the wells and captured the Mahdists supplies there. The Mahdists counterattacked and in turned pushed the British back. It was a Mahdist Win the British had captured enough supplies to keep advancing.    

Impressive British mounded forces.

Campaign situation

Despite their loss this week the Desert Columns capture of the Mahdists supplies enables them to keep lead over the Nile Column. Next week the Desert Column must cross the Nile while the Nile Column must force passage past a fortified town on the river banks.