A couple of club members are running a campaign set in 1833, in Sudan. Here i will post their reports
and information for players. So without further ado...
GAME 1 –
THE BATTLE OF WANDI SEPT 1883
Tensions are running high in Eastern Soudan, with a number
of Beja tribes going over to the Mahdi. Others however still vacillate, and
others still, resist the call of Jihad. Fakir Hicks and a large Egyptian army
have started on a major campaign in Southern Soudan and everyone awaits news of
the progress of this expedition.
At Souakin, Governor Suleiman el Niazi is fearful of the
town falling to Mahdist forces. The Eastern Soudan is dotted with small
garrisons mainly used for policing the ever-restless tribes, and in tax
collection.
Tipilli is one such garrison of some 2000 souls, consisting
mostly of various Beja tribal families. The Garrison itself is commanded by
British officers in the service of The Khedive, with mainly Turkish, Armenian
and Egyptian Subalterns and NCO’s. The rank and file are mainly Soudanese riflemen,
with a force of mounted Egyptian infantry. The British Officers at Tipilli,
although few in number, project the very highest standards of martial ability
and moral hegemony. While demonstrably the best world has to offer in terms of
fighting skill and command, few can doubt the moral and intellectual
superiority of the quintessential, British Gentleman.
The enemy forces consist of fanatical jihadists
inspired by ‘The Mahdi’, a prophet sent by God to free the Soudan of infidels.
In the Eastern Soudan these consist mainly of Beja tribes, notably the
Hadendowa. They are fast moving and ferocious warriors, capable of travelling
great distances and still fit to fight a battle. While some Amirs are more
skilled in the political rather than martial arts, the very best of the Amirs
are cunning and ruthless and need to be treated with great care.
Tripilli and the Eastern Sudan
Diary Entry of Lt. Simon Heronimus
Bladdington for 13th
September 1883 – The Battle of Wandi
Early Eve on the 13th
September, a messenger arrived at the fort with a message retrieved from a
previously dead messenger for our Colonel (Herbert Drydon-Spunck).
Unfortunately our Colonel was ill so Hugo (Capt. Warburton) took the message
and upon reading it summoned me.
The recently
retrieved message was from HQ ordering us to retreat from our location to the
coast with the entire garrison and civilians to avoid an impending attack from
fuzzy wuzzys of overwhelming force. The message looked genuine and had the seal
intact.
So orders where
given to ready the troops to be equipped for the march the next day and
civilians of note would accompany the baggage. I ordered that all stores that
where not to be taken including surplus ammunition to be destroyed.
The march went well
on the first day, no enemy was sighted and we made good time, the picket were
set overnight and also no trouble was entered.
The second day I
decided to head for the Oasis of Wandi instead of the ruins of Sebu for if the
enemy turned out to be in force ahead of us it would give more option to
advance from that position.
Nearing late
afternoon our scouts reported that the oasis had already been taken by a small
force of the enemy, and we continued the advance into effective long range then
opened fire. This caused the enemy to advance a little so we also advanced and
gave them a double volley causing half their men to run. The ground ahead was
slick with their blood.
Meanwhile scouts
from the rear of our column reported camels advancing from behind. Hugo and his
company of Egyptians dismounted and readied themselves for the attack.
The fight from the
front of the column continued and another 2 groups of fuzzy wuzzys appeared
before us. The second groups almost made it into hand to hand combat but thanks
be that our training in musket drill paid off and they fell before our guns
like scythed corn, all brave warriors.
The camels to the
rear charged and again the good commands and musket fire decimated them into a
rout. Meanwhile a new threat found itself on the left flank, a force of
horsemen! No sooner had the front enemy been finished than they where charging
towards us, ammunition was short and one company of troops was lost and by Jove
where they broke through was right before me and my small command group,
thankfully we dove them off.
And thus ended the
second day. We made camp where we fought, treated our wounded, set pickets and
made ready for the next day.
Note to self:
ammunition for the rear guard and front and left flank company ran close to
breaking point. Will arrange for one half company from each section to fetch
and carry ammunition from the mules, as they cannot be supplying ammunition to
the rear of the column as well as the front.
Simon
The Hero of Wandi. Lt. Simon Bladdington in the Officer’s
Mess at Souakin prior to despatch to The Garrison of Tipilli. Lt. Bladdington’s
timely intervention saved the square ! (actually a sort of interesting, curved
rhomboid).
The Battle of Wandi
-A view from the East. In the foreground, Soudanese Regulars decimate
warriors under the command of Amir Ahmad
Fadil. In the distance, the charge of warriors under the command of Amir
Mohammad Tamil are halted.
So until next time....
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