David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Thursday 22 September 2022

Desert Disaster!

 GHQ Irregular Paul paid his first visit for a game after our complex summer hiatus. We had settled on a Sudan War game using Black Powder 2 as the rules driver once again. Paul would command the British Desert Column and could call on his cavalry force after three turns, arriving simply by passing an order test, and his infantry reinforcements from the zariba surrounded camp after six turns. The Desert Column consisted of four infantry regiments and the Heavy Camel Corps, supported by a Screw gun. I took command of the Mahdist force, fielding a wing of Nile Arabs and Bagarra Horse with a captured Egyptian Krupp gun and crew, while the centre and right of my force consisted of the Fuzzy-Wuzzys, more correctly Beja warriors on foot and on camel. These were supported by a captured Gardener gun with reduced capacity due to adjusting the necessary dice required to fire, to jam and to repair. As ever, a photomontage to give a sense of the action ~

The Bagarra Horse and Nile Arabs assault the Imperial infantry's leading regiments forcing them into a square.
They beat off the horse easily while on the left the Staffordshire regiment forms line to meet the onslaught of the Beja hordes.
The Beja warriors fall in droves before the British volleys which seems to cause the supporting Rhubs to falter in their advance.
The Heavy Camel Corps defeats the remaining Bagarra Horse preserving the Imperial flank from disaster as the Nile Arabs beat the Royal Surreys and break the square!
The stout hearts of the Black Watch are not dismayed by the Surreys fate and their brisk volleys drive off the Arabs!
Losses mount and discipline fails all along the Beja lines. Commanders just cannot get their men through the hail of fire from the British infantry!
The Heavy Camel Corps has destroyed the Mahdist left flank while the infantry have shattered the Beja on the other flank. The British cavalry arrive just as the victory is secured! It was all Too Much for the Mahdi as he slinks away defeated by British pluck!
As ever Black Powder gave a good game where fortunes ebbed and flowed bringing tension and uncertainty to the fore. For those interested in such things the figures are mostly from the Perry Miniatures Sudan War range with a few baggage camels from Castaway Arts and Essex Miniatures. The wadhi is made by The Last Valley and the Palm Trees are from S&A I recall. 


22 comments:

  1. A good looking good dusting there and no mistake.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Funnily enough I will be playing the Sudan in a couple of weeks at the club. Lovely table and troops as always, a joy to play with no doubt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind endorsement. Best of luck in the desert in your turn.

      Delete
  3. Splendid looking game David especially love the camels 👍

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you have a thing for camels Matt? Just asking you understand...

      Delete
  4. It was a wonderful game Dave, and a thoroughly enjoyable wargaming experiance, debate and conversation. I enjoyed every minuit of it, and it was a pleasure to play with such a fine collection of figures. Thank you once again for a great session.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Why is it that you only notice your spelling mistakes when you've just posted? Age I guess!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Worry not, my red pen has dried up after 20 years retirement.

      Delete
  6. Wahdi ya kno! A fine spectacle Mr.B,

    ReplyDelete
  7. Not my period at all but a superb spectacle which is a joy to behold:).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As you know here in GHQ we do our best to have decent tables on show for our guests. It's nice to know they are appreciated. Mind, it's all packed away now...

      Delete
  8. Cloth, terrain, bases and figures come together and make for a really eye-catching set up. I wouldn’t mind losing on such a table at all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I get quite a lot of experience at losing on such terrain, quite a lot. I'm glad you liked the look of it all though!

      Delete
  9. Superb wargaming display. Your ground cloth really gives the impression of the shifting sands of the desert.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very generous Jonathan, thank you

      Delete
  10. Your wargaming skills know no bounds David, well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are most kind Robbie! Speaking of skills, the odd win might be nice...🎲🎲🎲

      Delete
  11. Another splendid looking game David…
    Typical of the Imperial forces to bring rifles to a sword and spear fight…

    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They could have brought handbags, it wouldn't have helped me!

      Delete