Khartoum - Turn 3

 

Desert Colum - the watering hole

The Desert Column was once again short of water so sent troops ahead to secure a local watering hole that they would use. Mahdist forces moved to attack them so a race ensued between them and the relieving troops moving to support the troops at the watering hole.

The Imperial forces placed their Egyptians and the Gatling forward with mounted troops looking to relive them. The numerous Mahdists, mostly Beja, pushed forward at the water hole whilst their mounted forces raced ahead.   

Camel Corps advance 

The British Lancers intercepted the Beja mounted, and then went on to cause further damage before they were inevitably destroyed themselves.  

Lancers take on the Beja cavalry

Egyptians lead the defence

The defenders held firm as a tidal wave of Mahdists approached. They poured fired into the approaching hordes but were not able to slow them much. The Mahdists swept over the Egyptians and took the watering hole.    

The approaching storm

British losses were light but the game was lost. Mahdist Win.

Watering hole falls

Nile Column - Kirbekan

The Nile Column found it's way blocked by a Mahdist force occupying high ground in their way. This game was somewhat based on the real battle of Kirbekan but tweaked for the figures we had available.  

The Mahdists placed riflemen on the two hills and also a capture Krupp gun with pressed crew. The Imperial forces split with the British attacking close to the Nile and the Egyptians looking to outflank the hills.      

Mahdists positioned on the hills

The British engaged in a shooting duel with the Mahdists and were able to eventually eliminate them and advance up to the hills. On the other flank the Egyptians attacked more vigorously in the hopes of drawing Mahdists reinforcements away from the centre, which worked fairly well.      

British take the heights

The final turn was very tense - the British had a unit on the low hill that was the objective, and a second within a move. Three dice rolls proved decisive - the Mahdists threw six "6's" to push back the British on the objective, the second British unit threw "3" to move and so failed, and finally the Mahdists got another "6" enabling a unit to double onto the objective. So a last-gasp Mahdist Win.

British take the objective...briefly

The Campaign Position 

After 3 turns both columns have expended their current supplies. The Nile Column will have to halt and be resupplied. The Desert column are further advanced and have the chance to capture some Mahdists supplies and get supplies from a handy supply dump.

     

General Wolseley is worried by the speed to the advance so both Columns will get an additional 6 next  points turn.