El Teb

El Teb Lite

T'Lads have come over all Colonial lately so in the spirit of the thing 'The Strategists' staged a scaled down refight of the Battle of El Teb using the Black Powder rules and scenario notes.

As is my wont with narratives I wont bore the bejeebers out of you with endless twaddle about dice throws and how many turns it took for the Cha wallah to bring the Colonel his cuppa Darjeeling. That's not what proper fightin's about so fasten your chinstraps, fix bayonets and prepare to be entertained, enthralled and hopefully amused.

Brief outline of scenario

You're all no doubt familiar with the exploits of The Gordon Relief Column so I'll keep this brief. The Brits are charged with the task of attacking the native Village of El Teb to secure watering for their parched troops and beasts of burden. Failure to do so may very well jeopardise the entire relief operation so they jolly well better not cock it up or poor old 'China Gordon' will be getting a first-hand lesson in the very latest techniques of bowel extraction by the Mad Mahdi's chief torturer!

The British force is a combined arms force of infantry, including some Naval Types, a couple of 7 pdr pea shooters and a Gatling. The cavalry comprise a troop of Hussars who are fiendishly disguised as Natal Mounted Carabineers to confuse the natives. (Actually we don't possess any Hussars but I s'pose you've cottoned on to this yourselves)

The battlefield comprises of, to the North, the village of El Teb, and a more flea-bitten, god forsaken shite hole you can't imagine. It's only claim to fame is it's the only well this side of the black stump so beggars can't be choosers. The village is nestled behind a large plateau and several smaller hills and the usual collection of date palms and sand blasted rocks. Did I mention the fleas?

Her Britannic Majesties Forces of Goodness and Enlightenment confer on the eve of Battle. By the Left Major Powell, General Wood, Colonel Stack. 'Tex' Houston (The Umpire)

The table is neatly bisected by a dry Wadi which runs the width of the table.

In the South West corner lies a small palm grove...'grove' makes it sound rather picturesque but in reality it's a scorpion-infested pile of rocks and faded palms.

To the South the Brits are encamped in their Zariba dying of thirst and desperate to be at the poor benighted 'eathens.  The terrain is easy going except for the plateau and the palm grove.

The British Zaribar

 Preliminary manoeuvres:

The Brits are off the blocks as soon as the whistle blows. Some good movement dice by Major Powell allows the Naval types with their Gatling and the Horse wallopers to make a bold thrust up the Right flank toward the village. Meanwhile the main body of the infantry and guns advance resolutely in the centre whilst the Highlanders reconnoitre the palm grove on the left flank.

First Contact:

The Highlanders are soon engaged in a fire-fight with a screen of native skirmishers ensconced in the palm grove. "Better flush yon beggars out in the open where our superior marksmanship will soon account for em" thinks Captain McCutcheon of the 92nd Highlanders.

Major Powell's bold manoeuvre:

As you will clearly see from the above picture, Major Powell's thrust on the right flank has paid dividends as it appears the natives have left the village practically undefended.  Another move and he will be upon the village.

Native response:

Alarmed at Major Powell's lack of support, and doubting that he can hold the village in the event of a determined counter attack, the Brit C in C orders him to hold his ground and await reinforcement before proceeding to attack the village. This sudden halt in proceedings allows the Natives a breather. Sensing imminent disaster the native leader quickly deploys his mounted camelry and horsemen against the plucky Hussars and Tars.(Rhyme not intended) A fierce melee ensues and the natives get the worst of it with the first round awarded in favour of the Brits. The native Camelry must retire a full move in good order. The Gatling, which up till now has been banging away at the natives on the plateau, decides to er..jam..surprise, surprise! Who would have thought gun oil and sand would not be condusive to rapidly moving hot metal parts? Action on this flank resorts to a stalemate as both forces charge and counter-charge in an attempt to rout each other.

Tars! Her Majesties' Naval Brigade.

Meanwhile, back at the Palm grove..., the Highlanders are having a hard time of it dislodging  those pesky skirmishers and more than one brave laddie hits the dust. Fortunately they are allowing the Brit main body an unhindered advance on the defended plateau. The Brits deploy their artillery and commence a lively bombardment of the plateau to soften up the defenders and force them to keep their heads down whilst the infantry form up and fix bayonets in readiness for the ensuing assault.

"Fix Bayonets"

The Main Event (The assault on the plateau)

With his artillery pounding away in grand style and his forces in good order and champing at the bit to be at 'em the Brit Cin C orders the main body to charge the natives on the plateau with the intention of routing them and securing the Village. With a confident smirk General Wood snaps his fob watch closed,  slides six rounds into his service pistol and tightens his chinstrap.."C'mon lads I'm dying  for a cuppa...CHARGE!!"

'On tother' side of fence' the Dervish commander is in a state of intense perturbation. Abysmal movement dice throws have meant that his Right flank force have decided it's a good time to pay homage to the Mahdi for his benificence in allowing them to sacrifice themselves in his cause and have decided on an impromptu prayer meeting in his honour...a full move to the rear! With  the might of her Majesties Armed forces about to descend on him he thinks maybe a little prayer time in the rear wouldn't be such a bad idea either. Let's hope the remainder of his force can hold their ground behind their rock sangars.

The charging Brits practically sprint across the burning sand and up the slopes in record time, breaking on the Dervishes waiting with spears, ancient swords and worn out bundooks. It's a free for all with no quarter given but to the Brits consternation the gutsy natives hold their ground and the Tommies are staggered and pushed back. The assault must succeed at all costs so back in they go for another round. The Brits bring up the 9pdr to the very walls and blast away at point blank range.

On the British Right flank Major Powell's force of Tars and Cavalry are going at it with the natives in grand fashion. A throw of six has un-jammed the Gatling and it commences pouring a withering enfilade fire into the flank of the native defenders... "Just like slicing bread" grins leading seaman Ferguson. The Hussars however are beginning to flag under the constant assaults from enraged Dervish camel riders and horsemen who are determined to grind the invader into the dust. That village is starting to look a long way off now!

Dervish Counterattack:

The Dervish command sense a shift in the balance now that they have withstood the initial assault and are starting to reassert themselves. A complete reversal of luck see his recalcitrant flank force throw triple movement dice which allows him to make a surprise charge on the British Left flank comprising  a gun and a unit of Guards. The Brits let fly with a telling volley but it's not enough to stop em and on the Dervishers rush into the melee.

Hold fast men! yells Colonel Stack, but to no avail. The tribesmen are all over them and the Brits break after a couple of rounds of melee along with the poor gunners. With their dander up now the Dervishers go fanatic and line up the Gordons for a breakthrough charge. The Dervishers are unstoppable and they plough through the unprepared Scotsmen like a runaway Midlands Express.

Hold fast men! The Guards about to go down fighting.

Fanatic Dervish charge against the 92nd Highlanders

British Collapse:

With abysmal  timing a British unit involved in the main assault throws a double six on their movement throw and make an unplanned sideways manouvre to their right. Loud knashing of teeth and howls of indignation about 'damned stupid rules!!' reverberate from the British commanders but no one said war was fair.. this isn't a blasted game of conkers and if war was predictable Captain Bromhead's skull would have become an attractive ornament on Chechweyos sideboard after what should have been the gallant Captains comeuppance at Rorkes Drift.

The Dervish command, realising the British infidels are faltering, throw everything they've got into the fray. Not content to hit him from the front with his reserve infantry, his horsemen slam into the British flank whilst the very same raving nutters who wiped out the Guards and the Highlanders charge the Brits in the rear...gawd get me a brandy someone!!

Brits hopelessly outnumbered and surrounded.

Sadly for the British the result is inevitable. Defeat!

Bugler I'd be awfully grateful if you'd sound the recall old chap...NOW...says the General in muted and solemn tones...the General that is not the bugle call which is frightfully difficult to play in muted and solemn tones unless of course it's the Last Post.

Rather an apt little number for the occasion on reflection.

Forces of Goodness and Enlightenment (The Brits): Rodger Wood, Adrian Powell, Wayne Stack

Poor Benighted 'eathens: Gavin Bowden, Geoff Martin, Mike Smith

The lads really got into the spirit of this little bash with loud yelling, oaths, insults and wild gesticulation on both sides. I thoroughly enjoyed myself (Well I was on the winning side after all) as did, I'm sure, my fellow gamers. My next venture will be a Darkest Africa, Gaslight adventure so stay posted fellow fun lovers.

Regards

Captain Ogilvie VC

Recently painted

Gavin Bowden is a member of the Southern Strategists. Below are some photos of some of his recent work.

92nd Regt The Gordon Highlanders

A line-up of stalwart types

Capt McCutheon and Piper McNulty

Captain David Ogilvie, VC

Count Von Schlessinger and his trusty servants

Fergus OShea, Prospector & Miner Extrordinaire

Greasy Jake,  the Tracker

Intrepid adventurers make a discovery

Mem Sahibs

Miss Constance Payne, Billionaire heiress and Adventurer.

Professor Cedric Yeatman-Briggs and Sir Percival Frockmorton

Righteous Bob Faircloud the Evangelist Assassin

Sepoys Rangit & Deran Singh, 32nd Punjab Infantry

Sir Percival Frockmorton, Royal Geological Society

The East Surrey Regt

The Ribbentrop Bros, Max & Gunther

The Unflappable Mrs Dorothea Miggins

Napoleonic Naval Game

A couple of weeks ago we had another game at The Mess. This time it was Napoleonic Naval. The British were attempting to blockade a passage of water with the Franco-Spanish alliance trying to force a way through.

The British heading toward the allies

Royal navy under full sails

Spanish and French preparing to "open up"

HMS Glatton

British and Spanish ships exchanging shots.

Allied shipping slides through the blockade.

Franco Prussian Game

Narrative of Franco Prussian Game

Fought at: ‘The Redwood Redoubt’ 

General Bourdon on the eve of battle

Participants

Prussians: General Baron Von Powell, General Baron Freyer Von Martin

French:   General Rodger Wood, General Gavin Bowden

Rules:        Volley & Bayonet

Scale:      15mm (Mostly Essex figures) from Adrian’s and Rodger's vast arsenals of lead armies.

Introduction

The French Republican Commander is tasked with defending the boundary of a wide river that bisects the centre of the table length-ways from East to West. The river is only crossable at any of the five bridges, which are relatively evenly spaced along its length. There are also three towns similarly spaced. Their objective is to prevent the Prussians from crossing the river and to hold at least three of the bridges and two towns at end of turn 8. (Signalling nightfall)

The Prussians must capture at least one of the towns and get all their forces across the river before nightfall.

Forces:

The French Army consists of four infantry Divisions, most of which are somewhat inferior troops, including the much-derided Guard Mobiles. The exception being the Division of Marines, who are veteran shock troops. They also have the usual complement of guns and a Mitralleuse section plus two Army guns. The French also have the advantage of six trench-works which they can deploy as they feel necessary. Hopefully this will compensate for their lack of quality troops.

The Prussian Army, although smaller in actual numbers, is its usual efficient self and comprises mainly veteran campaigners, a large artillery train and a unit of Uhlans. There is also a Bavarian contingent not yet arrived.

The battlefield from the French side

Battle Narrative:

Rather than give a turn by turn account of every dice roll and move, which will bore the bejeebers out of even the most hard core among you, I will recount the main points and events of the battle as I recall them. I apologise if my recollection of events varies too much from my fellow participants.

Turn 1, Deployment:

The French, realising they can't effectively defend the whole river, choose to weight their defence on the left flank sensing that this will be the Prussian Line of Advance as it offers the least obstacles and provides good going for infantry. They occupy the towns on their left flank and centre and dig in around the three bridges starting from East to West. They also dig in around the woods that border the river and near the centre.  They decide to keep their best troops (the Marines) in the rear, in reserve near the centre to bolster whichever sector shows signs of breaking whilst using their lesser troops as frontline cannon fodder. 

The French centre

The Prussians, whilst arriving as the French expected, opt to make the main thrust of their attack against the weaker French right flank whilst softening up the French centre with the bulk of their artillery.

The Prussians take full advantage of the high ground to position their artillery in massed batteries to pummel the enemy trenches. 

Prussian artillery bombarding the French entrenchments

Turn 2

The Prussian attack begins with a heavy sustained barrage which falls with unerring accuracy on the French frontline trenches near the centre bridge, scoring no less than ‘nine hits’ of which the hapless French only manage to save two.

The French respond with a cannonade but to little effect. At this range their Chassepot rifles are of little use as well.

Turn 3

The Prussian infantry continue their advance to the centre and French right flank whilst the Bavarians arrive on the same flank and begin an unopposed crossing of the river at the unguarded bridge. The Prussian Uhlans gallop over the bridge in grand style with the intention of outflanking the French and threatening their rear …most unpleasant for the French I’m sure.

Prussian Uhlans lurking in the rear

Turn 3

The Prussians begin their assault on the central bridge, but as they come within range, the French Chassepot rifle really comes into effect. A well-aimed volley from the stationary and entrenched Frenchmen scythes through the Prussian ranks and their attack falters. The Prussians are stunned by the accuracy and rate of fire the so-called ‘inferior’ troops are pouring into them and they retreat out of range and go to ground.

The Prussians are forced to go to ground

 

Turn 4

The French, realising they have been wrong footed, withdraw the bulk of their troops and artillery from the uncontested Left flank leaving a token force to hold the town and bridge whilst moving to shore up the centre and right flank. Aware that the Bavarians have crossed the river and are rapidly advancing on their right flank they position troops on the high ground to the right of the centre wood with the intention of refusing the flank. Where are those damned Uhlans heading for they wonder?

The Prussians ponder another bombardment but decide they need to move their guns forward in the centre where they hope to wear the defenders down by shear weight of shot!

They are forced to rethink their infantry assault on the centre and decide to shift their attack to the now lightly defended French Left. You have to admire quality of command and training that allows the Prussians such flexibility.

They throw a division forward to the bridge with a number of guns in support.

Prussians assault the French Left flank

Turn 5

The Bavarians, hoping to drive-in the French Right flank, bravely charge up the heavily defended slope but suffer the same fate as their compatriots and are thrown back by a telling French fusillade. The French gain a breather to allow reserves from the centre to rush to their aid.

The Bavarians decide to go to ground at the base of the slopes and try to whittle the defenders down by fire from their needle guns.

The Bavarian Flank Attack

The Prussian Uhlans sensing the attack is in the balance launch a perfectly timed flank charge on the French reinforcements. Caught in the open and unprepared the Frenchmen are ridden down in grand style and destroyed. The Uhlans are now free to harass the French rear at will once their mounts have recovered.

Those damned Uhlans again!

On the French Left flank the Prussians assault the lightly defended bridge but once again the awesome short-range firepower of the French Chassepot is too much for them and they stream back across the bridge dragging their wounded and bleeding comrades. The Prussian gunners un-limber and proceed to bring down accurate fire on the French entrenchments with their Krupp breech-loaders in retaliation.

Turns 6 & 7

The Bavarians again assault the heights and succeed this time in pushing the harassed Frenchmen off the hill whilst the gallant Uhlans launch another dashing attack on the French reserve troops that throws the somewhat surprised Marines back in confusion. “Lancers were never meant to be this good,” they mutter in Gallic consternation.

With nightfall approaching, the Prussians launch another desperate assault on the French Left flank bridge. Their accurate counter battery fire has destroyed all the enemy’s artillery including the mitrallieus and the shell-shocked French defenders are nearing exhaustion. The Prussian infantry storm over the bridge and easily overwhelm both the bridge entrenchments and the adjacent town.

Prussian Guards advancing

Turn 8

The Prussians are now in possession of all but one of the bridges (Centre bridge) and have taken two of the towns. Two of their commands are seriously depleted but still capable of fighting. With all their available forces surrounding the exhausted French centre and with cavalry and Bavarian troops attacking the French rear unhindered it is clear the Prussians have won the day. The French have taken a beating with all their commands near or in collapse and casualties mounting by the second.

Its time to concede defeat and try to extricate what’s left of this shattered army.

Conclusion.

Even though I was on the losing side I enjoyed this game immensely. The rules worked really well and allowed quite a complex game to be comfortably completed to a decisive conclusion in two and a half hours.

I thought the game was well balanced with Prussian troop quality and artillery firepower making up for smaller numbers and the quite daunting task of capturing so many objectives and the difficulties that river crossings under fire present.

The French whilst suffering from inferior troop quality did have very favourable ground to defend and the Veteran Marines may have been better deployed in the front line where their staying power could delay the Prussian advance longer.

This game was a sobering lesson in the effect of modern ordnance on exposed formations and frontal assaults over open ground.

Bavarians cross the river to launch a surprise assault on the French flank.

Prussians on the move.

Prussian cavalry.

                                         The above buildings are all hand made by Adrian.