Khartoum - Turn 5

This week both Columns had advanced to the next encounter on their maps. The battles themselves were pretty much the same battles as last week but with the forces flipped. 

Desert Column - Night Attack

In this game we used hidden movement and limited visibility to model the darkness. Shooting and charging was limited to 12" and blinds were used (with 50% blanks) for the Mahdist forces. The British also only had 2 units awake plus 1 unit on picket duty outside the camp.  

Desert Column camp 

The Mahdist main attack focused on the western side of the camp and made good initial progress as they swarmed over an unguarded section of the zareba, only to be pushed back by the Camel Corps.  

Mahdists breach the camp

Beja advancing

More attacks came in against the front of the camp and were also held off. After a few hours action the fighting subsided as the Mahdists withdrew their remaining units. British Win. 

Nile Column

In this game the Nile Column's route was blocked by a fortified village that had to be taken before the advance could continue.  The mission was simple - destroy the village with points scored for buildings blown-up. 

The village stands ready

The Mahdists deployed their rifles in the village, with a gun deployed on a nearby hill. The spear armed troops were deployed further back waiting to attack.     

Ansar attack

Calvary looking good before meeting a sticky end

The British largely stood  back seeking to rely on their artillery to do the damage. Early game this did nt work too well as the gun's fire was on intermittent. A limited incursion was made with the Egyptian horse , who met a sticky end.   

Late game the gun's finally managed to do some damage and in the end 3 of the 5 buildings were destroyed for a British Win. 

Campaign position. 

With the British both wining they advance next turn and both remain with 2 supplies. Both have a chance to capture some Mahdist supplies, which they will need if they are not to need to pause for resupply.