Small Action - between Sinkat and Atbara (Sudan Campaign)

Last weekend we were able to get another mini battle in.  This time it was Captain "Rick" Stockton's  turn to take on the Dervish on a scouting mission.  As I have done with each of these mini battles I match their point value with our dervish forces.

In this battle it was the Company + two guns against 6 dervish units.  This battle did not go well for Captain Stockton.  Some miscalculations when maneuvering his guns masked them for one turn and the unfortunate HALT card stopped them from being brought into action a second time.  All this with the small valley being filled with dervish.

Those two turns of no artillery hurt his chances to stop the dervish at longer ranges.  One unit was able to close and although the British line was on a hill and in close order, they rolled poorly and were hacked up by Osman Frihir's Fuzzies.  It could have been a different outcome had a rolled a little better and had his guns in action immediately.

So he did complete his mission to find the dervish supply line (water hole) but took heavy losses in the process.  The only saving grace was...well...take a look for yourself...

Guru

Battle for Abu Klea (Sudan Campaign)

Today we finally played the final battle of the Sudan Campaign Turn 5.  This was the battle at Abu Klea between the 2 Companies and two guns of Major Shockey and Major Daniels forces against the Dervish leader Mumbasa and his emirs.

We played at our monthly club meeting and the battle lasted 7 of the intended10 turns before the day was decided.

The strategic orders were for the British to cut across the desert route from Korti to Abu Klea to Metemma.  This was going to be a tough battle because of Mumbasa's presence which added a few extra unit points for the Dervish Army.

The mission for the British was to defend their baggage train and reach the Wadi ridge line before battles end.  IF they were successful in both cases then they would be in Metemma in the next turn.  IF they held on to their baggage train and did not reach the ridge then they would remain in Abu Klea.  And finally, if they did not reach the Wadi Ridge line AND they lost their baggage they must retreat to Korti.  And that last one was the case, retreat to Korti with heavy losses.

It was brutal fight especially on the right flank when Osman Cody immediately went on the attack on the British advancing along the right flank.  This proved to be only a diversion as Mumbasa unleashed Osman Dougna and Osman Jahans forces on the opposite flank to attack the baggage defended by the Yorkshires and Naval Forces at the Zareba.

I again present the AAR in pictures I hope you enjoy them.

Guru

Apologies, I loaded the old Map from Turn 5