Sudan 1884/85 - Black Powder Game

On Saturday and Sunday of last weekend Andrew Parr and myself came head to head in the Sudan. Andrew played the British one day and I the next day. The scenario we used was a simple besieged town, garrisoned by poorly trained Egyptian troops and a few Europeans. They were short of supplies, ammunition and courage. Around them were swarm's of Mahdi's followers - "More then the grains of sands contain in all the deserts of the world". But at the other end of the table were the professional trained but sometimes rashly lead British forces. Their mission as you might of guessed was to relieve the garrison with supplies, deliver fresh troops and bring the Europeans back safely to Cairo.

Egyptian Troops man the defences while a British manned light gun helps to keep the Sudanese at bay.

The relief force is on it's way.

Artillery crew lay their guns on suspect enemy locations in preparation for a mad charge from Beja tribesmen.

The rules Andrew and I followed for the first time were Warlord Games 'Black Powder'. In the first game we started a little slow as Andrew and I were learning the rules on the run. But as the game progressed the rules flowed easier with each turn. Though by the second game (on the Sunday) we basically just went off the quick play sheet, with only limited referencing of the rules. In the end we were very happy with how the rules played and the feel it gave to Colonial wargaming, which we quite enjoyed. The restrictions of only six turns limited each player from poo-fluffing around and forced us to take action on each consecutive turn. This made for a quick and enjoyable game with a result at the end. To conclude I would recommend the rules to anyone who enjoys a little fun on the far reaches of the Empire. Our next game using Black Powder will be Napoleonic's in late April, so I will keep you posted on how that goes.

Troops nervously advance.

Ansar riflemen on the right of the British square start a continuous fire.

Ansar on the left flank do the same.

The British Commander reacts and sends up his skirmishers to clear the hill.

Only to discover more the expected lay behind the hill - Screaming Beja tribesmen by the hundreds.

With cries of "God is Great" and 'Oh! Beloved!" on they charged.

The battle was fierce and manly were slain on both sides by bullet, spear and sword.

But with three gallant charges by the 10th Hussars they manage to keep the road open for the supplies to get through.

Readily needed supplies make it into the town.

Big Battalion Fortune & Glory - Some where in Spain 1809

Some where in Spain 1809 two Armies met one Spanish the other French. The French were along way from home but had been encourage by their Emperor that there were rich pickings in Spain. The Spanish Army was half trained and lacking in effective cavalry, but were fighting for their own homes, family and freedom from the oppressive French. Today's battle was a 'Table Top Teaser' from The Wargamers' Annual Vol 1 in which the Spanish forces took up a blocking position in hope of stopping the French advance. Andrew provide the French, which were mostly Perry Miniatures and painted by Dragon Painting Service and the Spanish were all my re-based Front Rank Miniatures. The unit were either 32 or 36 figure battalions. Cavalry either 8 figures for the Spanish and 18 figures per regiment for the French. Rules played were those of Andrew's Fortune & Glory - but for big battalion games.

The French Army deploys for battle.

The Battle started with the pre-drawing of positions on a map, followed by placement of Brigades and finally declaration of orders. As the Spanish were in a blocking position Andrew and his French force were on the attack. His main attack would fall on my lightly held right flank. There I had placed four battalions of infantry (two of which were militia) in hope of holding a piece of high ground. Andrew deployed to regiments of Dragoons, four battalion of French Line and a battery of guns. More then enough one would thing to roll over the four Spanish units with ease.

The Spanish take up positions

However this was not the case. After over an hour of fighting my Spanish held the French in check and finally forced the French columns to turn about and rout to the rear, dropping knapsacks and rifles as they fled. This was the end of the majority of fighting on that flank except a late charge from the Dragoons, which my boys repulsed after forming square and firing off a few volleys. Overall it was a great game, lots of big battalions and nicely painted figures. What more could you want?

Elite Swiss - Perry Miniatures painted by DPS

One of my re-based Spanish battalions.

The next phase of the battle was centered on the high ground to my center, where after my only battery was destroyed counter battery fire from two of Andrew's batteries, the French sent two of the Elite Swiss battalions to take the high ground. The Swiss broke two of my battalions to there front and then began to make the steep climb up to the summit. Here a desperate battle ensured but the Swiss too were finally pushed back by guerrilla lancers and Militia unit I had held in reserve. On the French right flank they had better luck. The French Light Infantry managed the push the Spanish out of the small village and their light cavalry managed to destroy all my cavalry. But by this time it was too late and the game ended on turn eight as a Spanish victory. The French had failed to take two of the three objectives and the Spanish still held the main positions - but only just.

The French advance.

A view from the Spanish lines of the french advance.

And again from the French.

Orders are dispatched to Brigade Commanders for the coming assault.

The first French attack columns close in on the Spanish right flank.

On the French right the Light Infantry advance to attack the town.

Spanish Cavalry await orders to attack.

French attack columns close with on my Spanish in a vain hope of breaking that flank.

Sorry Andrew but your boys could not hack the pace.

With the attack falling on the Spanish General Andrew Parr quickly re-gained the initiative and put in strong attacks along the rest of the Spanish battle lines.

The lights advance, attacked and forced the Spanish out of the village.

And the last desperate charge by French Dragoons in hope of riding down my weary units on the right flank. It was not to be.

More Singleton Gaming to Come

Over the two days of this weekend Myself and Andrew Parr (pictured above) smashed out three great little games. On Saturday it was Big Battalions - Fortune & Glory - Andrews own rule set and played using the set up from 'A Tabletop Teaser' scenario page 40 'The Wargamers' Annual. The next two games, one on Saturday afternoon and the other on Sunday morning were both set in the Sudan - 1884/5 and using the Black Powder' rule set. But more on these games by the end of the week.

Enjoy.

Perry French advance from the Spanish and prepare to engage the Spanish battalion to their front.

A view towards the Spanish right, from the French centre.

A British Brigade steady advances in square as they near suspected Mahdist positions.

Their numbers were like the grains of sand in the desert.

Hmm... this looks familiar?

28mm World War Two - Singleton

The images I have posted tonight are again from the boys of the Singleton gaming community. Which consists of about four solid gamers and a few swingers..... The collections are again from Micheal Edwards, Craig Windebank and Victor Perry. Two of the guys, Eddie and Craig, I got into gaming a few years ago and I think I have since created two uncontrollable beasts of war. Both now have great collections of 28mm WWII and FoWs armies. Victor on the other hand has always been collecting figures but never really gave gaming a crack, until I invited him along to a game. Since then Victor has been a great friend and is one of the nicest, down to earth fellows you could ever have at your gaming table. So if you are ever out this way and are keen for a roll of the dice, drop me an email and I will see what I can do.

Panzer MkIV from Craig's collection.

I think this one once belonged to Leroy Simpson, of Townsville, and is now in Eddies collection.

German Stug from Eddie's collection

US Paratroopers from Craig's collection.

The unstoppable Victor Perry.

Eddies Panther

One of Craig's conversion.

This would have to be one of my favourite pictures fro the group.

Another of Craig's conversions.

Another of Craig's great painting - Tiger.