The Battle of Dorking 1875 - Action at West Humbel

 

To set the scene for this classic late 19th century fictional battle, the Dorking Museum's account is quoted;

'The fictional Battle of Dorking took place in 1875. Germany had defeated France and annexed Holland and Denmark. Britain declared war and Germany invaded an ill-prepared Britain. Troops came ashore at Worthing and began moving inland.

The County of Surrey on the South West approaches to London with Dorking seen in its 
central southern area where the battle takes place.

Written by Sir George Chesney, The Battle of Dorking was published anonymously in Blackwood’s Magazine in 1871. In Chesney’s tale, a battle takes place at Dorking between the invaders and British defenders; Dorking occupies a strategically vital point between the troops’ landing point on the south coast and London. Failure to defend the heights of Ranmore and Box Hill on each side of the Mole Gap allows the invaders to pass through to London. Britain is left humiliated, its Empire lost.

The story caught the public imagination. When reprinted it sold 80,000 copies and was translated into a score of languages. There was no immediate military response but in the 1880s forts were erected on Box Hill and Ranmore. Lord Ashcombe, owner of Denbies (now a wine estate and hotel in Dorking), provided the local volunteer force with land and funds for a drill hall.

Though its notoriety arose from the concerns of its time – the army, and the development of new means of transport and communication – the tale had a long life in public consciousness in both Britain and Germany.

In the 1940's a German edition was issued to Hitler’s army under the title ‘Was England Erwartet’: What England Expects.'

Dorking Museum - The Battle of Dorking

Battle of West Humbel (Near Dorking)

Today I can announce to the readers of the London Illustrated News the great British Victory over the Germans (Prussians).

It is well known how the Prussians used their secret weapons to trick the British Fleet away from its Channel Duties and the Prussian Army landed at Worthing. From there they marched onto our proud capital London expecting a quick victory.

However on the North Downs at Box Hill overlooking Dorking assembled a force of our Regular Imperial Army and Volunteers, made up of stout hearted artists and trades people from Surrey.

The Rifle Regiment prepare to defend West Humbel, with Sir Harry Flashman, yet again at the heart of the action, in command

The battle started with Jagers and Uhlans in skirmish order moving across an empty battlefield. However things were soon to change, as the Jagers entered the woods they were stopped in their tracks by Artillery and Volunteers holding the slopes of Brockham Hills. A fierce firefight then ensued

Perhaps the most famous British military hero of the the time, Sir Harry Flashman, hero
of the charge at Balaclava and many more actions- played of course by Malcolm McDowell

On the other flank, West Humbel was being fortified by the crack Rifle Regiment. It was at this time that “Harry Flashman” was awoken from his slumbers and was seen shouting encouragement to the defenders. With this inspiration the Rifles let off a devastating volley that chased off the Uhlans.

Prussian Uhlans advance to skirmish with the Rifles in West Humbel. Note the River Mole that effectively divides the field of battle

British Volunteers supported by Horse Guns contest the advance of the Prissian Jager on to the Brockham Hills

The Prussians now with continental arrogance started a massed bombardment of West Humbel. Two full Regiments of infantry then set off to crush these English upstarts. This was their first big mistake as, unknown to them, on Box Hill were the Grenadier Guards backed up by Household Cavalry.

Prussian guns bombard West Humbel following the repulse of the Uhlans by Sir Harry and his riflemen

The battle now became two separate engagements. The attack on West Humbel was undertaken by Von Carter in a systematic format, forming a firing line that would drive the Rifles out. The English Commander General Vince-Hyland brought out his regulars and prevented the Germans from flanking West Humbel Their longer ranged Martin Henry outgunning the Germans with the Needle Rifles.

Vince-Hyland was also seen helping to improve the moral of the garrison. Flashman although improved

the fighting ability of those with him as he is poor at giving orders.

Von Carter assaults West Humbel on masse as heavy fighting breaks out on the Brockham Hills beyond

On Brockham Hills all hell was let loose. The Jagers retired and three battalions of Prussians crashed into the Volunteers, lead by General Von Huntsman This became a toe to toe fire fight with Prussians charging in only to drive the Volunteers back to another defensive line. Casualties were heavy on both sides.

The Volunteers contest the advance of Von Huntsman and the Prussian Regulars on Brockham Hills

At this time the Germans made a second big mistake, and started to bring the artillery forward. It was now that General Ian-MacDonald (the brains behind the victory). Unleashed the Guards from Box Hill and supported by the Guard Cavalry.

The British Guards are unleashed

The German Uhlans watched on unable the stop the cavalry charge as the River Mole was in the way. However the Prussians were still sure of their superiority were not worried. The target of the charge were formed Jagers, only by throwing a '1' would the charge get through. 

British Valour won through and the Cavalry were in amongst the Jagers. After several rounds of fighting the cavalry were driven off. But the damage was done. The Jagers were unable to support the Infantry being attacked by the Guards.

The battle is won as the British Guards descend from the Brockham Hills in pursuit of the broken Prussian infantry as the Household Cavalry crash into the flanks of the limbered Prussian guns, supported by the Jager screen, attempting to come forward in their support.

The Guards charged into the Prussian open flank with “cold steel” and did what Guards do....... The Prussians generals contemplated an early retirement. You might well ask, what happened to Good Old Flashman. The Rifles were driven out of West Humbel but thanks to his +1 for combat they left in good order. Flashman saves the day again a true English hero.

Technical Stuff

The battle was played using mostly Perry plastics. Prussians were painted as per Franco Prussian War. British used the Afghan, Zulu War Brits for regulars and with mixture of ACW for volunteers. Needless to say there was a lot of head swapping. I found it difficult to to track down volunteers regiment uniforms until I found the Blandford's Infantry Uniforms Book Two.

Rules used were Fire and Fury Regimental with the Optional Rules that can be found on the Web site. Weapons however had to be up graded and new formations such as Company Columns introduced.

Background to the battle needless to say was Battle of Dorking by C T Chesney. In addition I purchased a copy of the board game Dorking 1875 by Mark Wightman this game me a framework to build a scenario. The main source I used to tweak the rules and get a feel for the period were the two books written by Lt Col G F R Henderson on the battles of Spicheren and Worth. These are boarder battles of the FPW but have a similar feel to the hypothetical Dorking Battle.

Finally I must say thank you to Stephen, Ian and Vince for letting me try out this game on them.