Trouble in the Sudan 1883

Yesterday I got a few of my old Townsville gamer buddies over for a good dusting in the Sudan and to introduce them to the Fortune & Glory rule set. Peter, Steve and Leroy played the Mahdi forces and John and Terry on the Egyptian side. The scenario was for the Egyptian forces to protect a supply column from the main town out to a small besieged village, which was a short distance from the outskirts of town. However there were also numerous hostile factions hiding out in the rough ground and think scrub who would also like to supplies and a few "Turk" heads.

The battlefield for the day's gaming. Fairly open, the village to be supplied is pictured at the bottom centre of the image, held by a company of Egyptian troops.

Looking out of the towns defenses Egyptian troops prepare to move forward in support of the supply convoy.

The supply convoy is ready and moves out.

Troops move out in support

Lurking Mahdi also move forward

With the convoy moving closer the Mahdi increase their attacks on the village and the besieged Egyptian troops.

By the next turn, with increasing attacks from all sides the Egyptian troops are forced to abandon the village and start to fall back to the main town.

With further re-supply useless the Egyptians halt to ponder their next move.

Mean while on the other flank the Mahdi gather troops and charge forward with cavalry and camels onto the supporting Egyptian Line companies.

Hicks sees the movements of the enemy and deploys his troops.

Two large troops of Mahdi cavalry surge forward onto the awaiting Egyptians

Both companies stand firm and receive the charge, shooting the camels down and pushing back the cavalry. However they to take a number of causalities, so it was not all one sided.

However back on the main battle ground things are not looking good for the Government forces. All units are attacked from all sides in a well plan attack by the Mahdi commanders.

The supply column is attacked and falls to the enemy.

The only thing left for Barker Pasha is to withdraw the remaining troops back to safety of the town walls.

Repeated attacks are repulsed but in the end only a few remaining troops make it back to the town and safety. Now they are the besieged.......