Saturday 13th April, Devon Wargames Club Game , Exeter...

Sudan Game loosely based on the Battle of Tamai... using the Blackpowder Rules system...

The British forces (approx 3,300 men) fresh from their victory at El Teb (2nd) a fortnight later are advancing towards the primitive settlements of Tamanieb and Tamai, they are to be met on the field of battle by 9,000-12,000 Bija tribesmen...

The battle was fought on an 8'x6' board, objectives:- the British having to enter at one end and exit the other with the majority of the force intact, The Dervish, Kill the British...

"View from the British end, looking up at the Donga and the broken ground leading to the slope towards the edge of the board."

"View from the hill looking down"

The British forces GOC: Maj.Gen Sir Gerald Graham VC KCB (Gus and Vince)

1st Brigade - Brig. Gen. Sir Redvers Buller VC KCMG CB (Vince)

3rd Battalion The Kings Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC)

1st Battalion The Gordon Highlanders

2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

6th Battery Scottish Div. RA.

2nd Brigade - Maj.Gen. J. Davis (Gus)

Royal Marines (RMLI)

1st Battalion The Black Watch

1st Battalion The Yorks and Lancaster Reg.

Naval Brigade with Gatling & Nordfelts

Cavalry Brigade - Brig.Gen. H. Stewart CB (Vince)

10th Hussars

19th Hussars

Mounted Infantry Company

Mahdists Forces Commanded by Muhammad Bey Musa Ibrahim (Chas, Steve, and Andy) with 9,000-12,000 Bija Tribesmen...

Flag 1 (Andy)

6 x Bija Spearmen Warband Fanatics...

Flag 2 (Steve)

5 x Bija Spearmen Warband Fanatics...

2 x Bija Riflemen Skirmishers...

Flag 3 (Chas)

5 x Sudanese Spearmen Warband...

2 x Sudanese Rifle Warband...

Flag 4 (Chas)

4 x Sudanese Camel Spear Warband Skirmish...

1 x Sudanese Camel Rifle Warband Skirmish...

1 x Baggara Cavalry Rifle Warband...

1 x Baggara Cavalry Spear Warband...

The British arrive turn one, The cavalry are ordered to advance to the Donga and cover the advance, but fail, and only complete one advance, 1st Brigade advances onto the table one move in march column, 2nd Brigade fair better with a bounding move onto the table in Brigade square, reaching the Donga they realise its a bit steeper than they thought and will take one full move to cross next turn...
In turn one Chas's 3rdFlag was trailing the British column on the left, this was determined by the players having to roll a D8 & D6 for their arrival point, but 24" away from the British forces...

Second turn saw Gus get some of his Brigade across the Donga, but landed in rough ground, and deployed into line with the most of his force, Vince deployed his gun and 19th Hussars covering the rear dust clouds, the remainder of his brigade advances on...

"Gus and the 2nd Brigade crossing the Donga"

"Vince and 1st Brigade"

It was at this point that Steve and his 2ndFlag arrive on the table 24" away to the front of Gus' Brigade... Steady Lads... mark your aim...
there were some shots fired across the open ground to no real avail... just getting the aim right of course...

As the next turn came on, the remainder of the Mahdist forces arrived on board, Andy and his Bija on the hill, accompanied by Chas's Cavalry Flag, it was at this point that Chas chose to bring on the Sudanese in the rear areas of the British advance faced by only a gun and some hussars...

"Andy arrives with the rest of the Bija tribe..."

"View of the Sudanese coming of the hill and the state of affairs of the front of the line"

"Gus and his RN & Marines firing line..."

"Steady... form your line... Are you sure you don't want to be in square?"

Vince manages to get his 1st Brigade Infantry back to his guns to meet the arrival of the Sudanese in the rear areas...

"Thats what caused the dust cloud..."

"Mmmm, what to do next... Good old Bullers..."

"Take aim... Fire!!!!"

Vince's firing line rips the Sudanese to pieces and halts their advance, however Andy's Bija are swarming over the Donga at a fast rate of knots...

"Advance in the heat of the day..."

The Mahdists players seem to co-ordinate their attacks in the next few turns, Steve's Flag charges, Gus firing line, Chas annoys the hussars and threatens the centre area and Gus's flank with his camels and cavalry, his Sudanese Infantry Flag are just bullet bait for 1st Brigade, and Andy's flag storms through the Donga areas, cutting through the dismounted infantry scouts in the Donga and manages to catch Vince's Gordons in the rear, can the British survive this onslaught...

"We may be in trouble here..."

"Tough fight along the line..."

"Bloody camels..."

With Bloody hand to hand fighting between Gus and Steve, Gus's line broke with the RN and Nordfelt falling to Spears, then the RMLI, leaving just the Yorks, holding the line with the Black Watch yet to feel cold steel...

"Yorks Hold.... Hold..."

Then the Yorks Break as well, allowing the Bija to swarm around the rear of the remaining line...

"Yorks break... Bija swarming..."

The 19th charge several times cutting through various Mahdist Cavalry and Camel units, pushing back the Cavalry flag by themselves, but the bell is tolling...

"19th Charge..."

Meanwhile back at the 1st Brigade, Vince has been taken in the rear by Andy, to clarify the Bija, hits the Irish and the Gordons in the rear whilst shooting the hell out of the Sudanese to their front, the Gordons hold their morale, but the Irish, just because Vince slurred their good names, broke and fled...

"Gordons left on their own..."

After another round of combat the Hussars were making short work of the Sudanese infantry, cutting them down with flank charges, but the Gordons then broke not withstanding the swarms of Bija around them and still being in line, leaving just the KRRC on the hill with the RA, however as soon as the Gordons broke the RA packed up and went home as well... Gus's Black Watch retired back to the Donda to take cover from the next onslaught, however the RN and gatling couldn't move, and were left as the rearguard, before being swamped by the remaining camels and Bija to their front...

"Bullers and his remaining troops on a small rise..."

"Black Watch fall back to the Donga, leaving the RN as rearguard..."

At this point the British realised their lot was up, and we finished the game, a resounding victory for the Mahdi and his followers, lots of British dead on the field of battle, did I mention squares???

Newspaper reports "Massacre at Tamai"...

However the Hussars are able to dine out on their exploits in the field, having made several valiant charges...

All General officers have been reprimanded and are confined to the Mess until the next time...

thanks to Andy (Bija), Chas (the Mahdi), Gus (Gen Davis), Steve (Muhammed) & Vince (Bullers) for a great game and a fun day... 

Battle of Grant's Hill 1776 - Carnage & Glory II AWI

Isn't it great to be able to combine the old with the new and create something really cool? Well today at the Devon Wargames Group we played a scenario taken from a classic book I have had in my collection for very many years, "Scenarios for Wargames" by Charles Stewart Grant, run using the computer rules Carnage & Glory II for the Seven Years Wars and AWI.

This was a bit of a test case for me as I wanted to see how easy it would be to do a throw together scenario with someone elses figure collection in 28mm, a scale I don't usually play, being an 18mm fan. I was also eager to try out the AWI version of these rules, having been very pleased with the game used for my Napoleonics.

So on to the game which I selected based on the limitations of the collection of figures we had to play with. The scenario we used was No.7 Rear Slope, which allowed a smaller force, the Americans to defend a rear slope position against a stronger British force.

The American Army was tasked with holding the hill top to the west of the road, with just under half of their units on the front slope beyond the line X - Y, leaving the remainder out of sight on the rear slope. The British tasked with taking control of that hill top were to deploy between the points A - B.

Definition of control would be the force with more good order units on the hill at game end (when we stopped playing), or in the case of equal forces, that would be a British victory. Or the army whose force morale dropped below 75% break point first, being automatically deemed to have lost as this would force them to vacate the field.

So the Americans were commanded by General Butler who being a charismatic chap took direct command of the three battalions of militia, pictured below.The general was obviously a good friend of General Greene, as he decided to place them on the front of his position supported by Colonel Lynch's riflemen, with orders to give the British two good volleys before getting out of the way.

The 1st Virginia Militia - this was not to be their finest day

Lynch's Rifles skirmish in font of the 2nd Virginia Militia

The American position with the three militia battalions and Finley's Artillery

As the American army took post the sound of fifes and drums drifted up from the valley as the British army under General Grey formed up before them. The Royal Artillery 6 pounder section unlimbered at 300 paces and commenced firing as if to signal the commencement of hostilities.

The British host prepares to advance

The British cannonade was answered by Finley's Continental battery and as the Light Infantry in open order moved swiftly up the hill, Lynch's Rifles started to seek out the officers and nco's in the British ranks.

The 16th Light Dragoons positioned on the British left move out to the flank

The British attack plan became evident as the massed battalions of hatmen covered by the "Light Bobs" converged on the centre of the American line whilst the Grenadiers and Light Dragoons "felt out" the American right flank. All the while supported by a continual fire from the artillery in the centre.

The British Grenadiers and Light Dragoons converge on the 1st Virginia Militia

The British Light Infantry were keen to close with the enemy and quickly brought the riflemen into an assault. The rifles not bayonet armed themselves broke before contact was made and never stopped running despite a half hearted rally attempt from General Stevens, whose unpopularity with the men was making itself obvious.

The 2nd Virginia Militia look on as Lynch's Rifle are caught by the swift advance of the Light Bobs

As General Butler pushed forward the 5th Virginia Continentals to cover the gap in the lines, Finley's two guns kept up a barrage of roundshot and case on the follow up battalions of Redcoats as they trudged laboriously up the slope.

The 2nd Virginia Militia brace themselves as Lynch's Rifles break for the rear, with General Butler steadying the ranks

As things hotted up in the centre the British general probed the American left flank on the road with the 5th Foot pinning down two Continental Line units brought forward to the road. What was this American commander doing, was this an attempt to counterattack?

The British 5th Foot advance on the American left flank, faced off by two continental battalions

On the American right flank the battle suddenly took a turn for the worst. General Butler could see his flank was in trouble with all but one of his Continental battalions brought forward, and the Grenadiers supported by the Light Dragoons closing on the Virginia Militia. He decided to attempt to take control of the militia by joining them whilst bringing forward his last reserve the 1st Maryland Continentals.

The fight for the centre with Finley's guns the centre of resistance

The plan seemed to be working as the militia cheered at the arrival of Butler in their ranks and prepared to meet the charge of the Grenadiers and the cavalry. The Grenadiers assaulted first with a ragged volley followed by three hurrahs. As General Butler called for steadiness the rear rank broke, and all was flight. The militia soon out ran the puffing Grenadiers, but the 16th Light Dragoons slammed into the rabble. Over one hundred militia threw down their arms and General Butler was knocked from his horse and captured. The remaining fugitives broke to the rear as the Marylanders wheeled in front of the Grenadiers but with British Light Dragoons to their rear engaged in mopping up militia men. 

Behind you!!

It was only a matter of time when the cavalry would return. A staff officer quickly assumed command and attempted to regain some order.

The British momentum becomes unstoppable

With events on the American right assuming disastrous proportions, the centre seemed to loose heart as the remaining continentals seemed to wilt under the British assault. The end came with the army breaking and falling back on the road. The hero of the hour for the Americans being Finley's guns who having seen off two charges by the British Light Infantry and the 31st Foot was seen firing away as the infantry pulled back.

Finley's Guns firing to the last.

The battle lasted eight moves or two hours of fighting, and the casualty lists below after allowing for returned stragglers tells the tale. The honours on the British side went to the Combined Grenadiers who emerged unscathed but triumphant. 

The American plan to use the militia to blunt the British attack failed and the misplacement of their continental infantry left the militia men in an untenable position.

The scenario played well and the rule set proved itself once again. We all enjoyed their playability and I found them very easy to pull a quick game together. Once again the surprises that the system throws out makes them a fun set to play.

Thanks to Jack, Ollie and Tom for a very entertaining day.

Battle of Rolica - 17th August 1808

This month saw the roll out of our first scenario using "Napoleon at War" from Man at War.

The chosen battle was Rolica, the first battle between British and French troops in the Peninsular War and the debut of one of Britain's greatest military commanders, Sir Arthur Wellesley, later to become the Duke of Wellington.



This battle at first glance may not seem that attractive to most wargamers, with a relatively small French advance guard up against a much larger, about 3:1, Allied army of British and Portuguese troops. The scenario attempts to balance this by measuring each commanders results with those achieved by their historical predecessor. For a PDF copy of the scenario, and more information about the thinking behind it, follow the link to JJ's Wargames Blog.

The area of the battle portrayed in our scenario

We set up the forces as per the historical arrangement with Sir Arthur Wellesley's main forces arrayed  in front of the French occupying Rolica and Rolica Hill. The scenario assumes that Sir Arthur has sent his two outflanking columns off table and thus the French force will have to fall back within a limited time. General DeLaborde managed to hold the Allies for three hours, twelve moves, until falling back from his second position in considerable disorder loosing 600 men and three guns in the retreat. Wellesley managed this by manouvering his oppontent off his positions rather than head on assault and lost just 479 casualties. How would our tabletop commanders compare?

Under the opening salvo from the Royal artillery brigade at the centre of Sir Arthur's force, eight battalions of line infantry, two rifle battalions, one cacadore battalion and some light cavalry arranged in four brigades, set off on their march to meet the French. The British troops were keen to close with the enemy, having chased their rearguard out of the small walled town of Obidos the night before. As the redcoats closed on Rolica Hill the French guns opened fire in response with seemingly little effect as the British closed up to fill any gaps caused in their ranks.

The view from the ridge, Columbiera village on the left, Rolica on the right

View from the British start line facing the French on Rolica Hill

The French under General de Division DeLaborde were confident in their abilities. This was the army that had quickly dealt with the Austrians, Russians and Prussians in little over three years, with battles such as Austerlitz, Jena - Auerstadt and Friedland to look back on, so they were not overawed by this British army who had a habit of running for the boats at the first possible upset.

The initial French position was a formidable one with two battalions plus artillery holding the hill and one battalion occupying Rolica and blocking the Lisbon road. The remainder of the force, two battalions and a light cavalry regiment were held in support.

The 1/70th Ligne, 3/2nd Legere and Foot Artillery holding Rolica Hill

The French seemed mesmerised by the perfect drill of the British regulars as their brigades worked their way forward and around General DeLaborde's positions.

General Hill's brigade in the foreground with Nightingale's and Fane's brigades beyond

Fane's brigade, 95th Rifles, 60th Rifles and the 6th Cacadores

As the British columns closed on French troops, one by one the individual battalions shook out into line with drums beating and their colours flying, light companies to the front ready to contest the skirmish battle with their French counterparts.

The British advance

Both sides had small contingents of light cavalry and artillery, but the main effort would lie with the infantry.

General "Daddy"Hill leads his brigade supported by the 20th Light Dragoons

Wellesley, top right, overseas the approach march of Nightingale's brigade

With an overwhelming force in front and around both flanks DeLaborde could only hope to delay his adversary and try to inflict occasional checks on the allied advance. Timing the precise time to disengage would be critical. The scenario aimed to capture this dilemma by requiring the French to stay and deny the Allies access to the ridge line at the top of the table for twelve moves, approximately three hours. However if they delayed too long they risked becoming embroiled in a combat that would destroy their force before they could withdraw.

The 95th Rifle supported by the 60th Rifles prepare to assault the 3/4th Legere holding Rolica

Everything was going to plan up to turn three as the British moved into musket range of Rolica and it's neighbouring hill. Both sides exchanged fire, and seeing the British support units moving up the French attempted to disengage and fall back. All did except the 3/2nd Legere who for some reason did not retire, throwing the planned pull back off track.

As if sensing the French indecision, the 95th Rifles launched an assault on Rolica village forcing the 3/4th Legere to stay and support their colleagues on the hill. The elite rifleman charged into the narrow streets and small buildings engaging their light counterparts in deadly hand to hand fighting. The first hours of battle had the riflemen firmly in control of Rolica and the 3/4th Legere streaming back up the Lisbon road in rout.

In desperation General de Brigade Brenniers turned to the least likely of units to retake the village and stabilise his line. The 4th Swiss were ordered to charge in and eject the rifles. They seemed to advance quite steadily at first to the village outskirts, but after passing the remnants of the 4th Legere throwing away weapons and acoutrments that might slow their rout, they simply stopped and refused to advance any further.

The 4th Swiss held in support of Rolica

Meanwhile on the French left flank General Hill's brigade had started to turn the Rolica position and its lead battalions already had the rear of the hill in their sight.

The 1/9th foot lead Hill's brigade in turning the French left flank

With his centre hotly engaged and his right flank wide open the only reserve left to hold up Hill's brigade were the 200 plus men of the 26th Chasseur a Cheval who gamely trotted forward to meet the redcoats drawing their sabres as they approached. As if in instant salute to this bold advance by such a small cavalry contingent the 1/5th and 1/9th formed line, dressed their ranks and presented arms.

The French sensing discretion was the better part of valour fell back just far enough to force the British to continue their advance in line.

The 26th Chasseur a Cheval move up to delay the advance of Hill's brigade

The British centre was lead by General Nightigale's brigade and in a bold but somewhat foolhardy attempt to pin the troops on Rolica Hill, the 29th Foot charged the French gun line, and were coolly met with a well aimed barrage of canister driving them back. Sir Arthur was not best pleased by this rash attack, he was becoming aware of the lack of experience in his commanders, which only time and further contact with the enemy would overcome.

The 29th Foot prepare to assault the guns on Rolica Hill

The attack by the 29th had been unnecessary as events on the flanks were alarming the defenders on the hill to start thinking about leaving immediately or face being attacked from the rear.

The 70th Ligne start to fall back from Rolica Hill as British infantry approach

As further British troops closed in on their position the French finally got their act together and successfully disengaged pulling back down the reverse slope.

General Crawford's reserve brigade moves on past Sir Arthur in support of Fane and Nightingale

The 95th Rifles "mop up" after a vicious battle to take Rolica

This sudden fall back by the French troops couldn't come quickly enough as with Rolica in British hands the race to the ridge line was well and truly on.

This is where the Allies could force a "sudden death" conclusion to the game by getting more good order troops onto the ridge than the French thus compelling them to retire and reducing the casualty count. Would they take advantage of the opportunity?

British reserves moving up

The fighting moved through the valley as the French withdrew

The rearguard to the rearguard

The pressure builds on and around Rolica Hill

The Rifles re-group

As the two armies attempted to move up the valley to the ridge line, the lead British units were close behind the French forcing occasional halts to hold back these lead units. The 3/2nd Legere paid the price for staying too long and broke in rout under successive volleys from Nightingales forward battalions. If this was not bad enough the 270 men of the 20th Light Dragoons charged over Rolica Hill and caught the French artillery limbered up ready to pull out. After a short sharp fight the guns were taken. The one glimmer of light for the French was that this fighting was also causing Allied casualties, something Sir Arthur was able to avoid. These were added to, when the 20th Light Dragoons charged on into the French position, and were met by French volleys that sent them back with less than half their original number.

The guns limber up with British light cavalry in hot pursuit

The Swiss head for the ridge

The Chasseurs fall back

With the Allied troops in hot pursuit the battered survivors, two battalions of the 70th Ligne, the 4th Swiss and the 26th Chasseurs marched up through the defiles to prepare to resist the last three moves of the game upon the ridge. As this manoeuvre was carried out, the French cavalry was again forced to turn and try and hold back the British infantry. This time however they overstayed their welcome, and several well delivered volleys broke the unit.

The Chasseurs turn to delay the British pursuit

The 70th Ligne evacuate Columbeira

Entering on of the defile onto the ridge

Now with only three infantry units left, but with two turns to resist, the French awaited the British attack. The first attempt came when the 1/9th from Hill's brigade attempting to infiltrate up though one of the flank gullies. The special rule for Colonel Lake's rash assault in the actual battle, came into play requiring the first British infantry unit to reach the ridge to roll a d6 with a 50:50 chance of them being ambushed on the march up. They were and losing a stand fell back to the foot of the ridge.

Colonel Lake of the 29th Foot killed at Rolica

The Swiss defend the ridge on the Lisbon road

With the first attack repulsed the British went for the Swiss holding the other flank gully. The Swiss were known to be unreliable, reluctant troops and they tried to surrender in the actual battle. To recreate their performance they were rated as Raw and Insecure, and were required to take an Elan test when receiving their first charge. Failure would result in their surrender.

Hill's lead battalion climbs an undefended pass

As the British approached, the Swiss opened with a tremendous volley, causing six hits, however, being the poor quality troops they were, they had to re roll their hits, reducing them to two, which the British saved!!

The 50th foot seeing this gave a cheer, lowered their muskets and charged. This was too much for the Swiss who promptly threw down their muskets and surrendered. Game over in turn 11, a close run thing. The British had clearly won and broken DelaBorde's force, but had the cost been higher than Sir Arthur's casualty bill.

The British in headlong pursuit scent victory

The French were awarded 3VPs for each allied base destroyed even if subsequently rallied and returned to battle, of which 8 were. These totalled 15 bases, three times the casualties Wellesley suffered and easily cancelling out the British taking the ridge and breaking the French force, all of which Wellesley achieved at less cost. So leaving the British with a Phyrric victory at best.

More importantly was it a good game. Well we all enjoyed ourselves, and the rules stood up to scrutiny with them being new to most of the players.

Thanks to Ian, Jack, Ollie, Charlie and Gus for a fine afternoons entertainment. I will be running the same scenario in a few weeks time using Carnage & Glory computer rules and will post a report on JJ's Wargames Blog