Monday 26 August 2013

They don't like it up 'em.

 Tim, Graham and myself had a Sudan game at the  club yesterday. Tim took the Mahdist's forces while Graham and myself were given a supply column and troops of her majesty's most glorious empire. The rules used were "A Good Dusting" Tim supplied everything, troops terrain and the rules and scenario.

The mission was to take the supplies from one table edge to the opposite side. the carts could not cross the hills but everything else could. So we planned the best route and set of moving at the speed of our infantry (4" a turn).

There were two obvious "pinch points" which we would need to take the wagons through. And then the Mahdists turned up. My cavalry scouting ahead trying to secure the first pinch point was met head on by the native cavalry who managed to get the charge in and melee was joined. A melee that was to linger on and on and on. I won each round of combat but the heathens just would not break no matter how hard I tried. My infantry were the advance guard and ever so slowly caught up with the meleeing horse. First I tried a firing line behind them thinking my own might run before the native fanatics then I fanned out to either side to counter the approaching Beja.

My second unit of cavalry were caught in the open and shot up thus retreated and let the foot-sloggers get involved. Eventually they dismounted and formed a skirmish screen on the columns left flank to counter more Mahdist troops streaming in from that side. (Mahdist troops were set up randomly by use of a scatter dice with a chance of more arriving each turn.)

Madist camel troops and a very few fuzzy wuzzies turned up behind the column but Grahams troops made very short work of them. While a horde turned up on my left flank and my cavalry skirmish screen had to edge backwards each turn giving fire and ground in equal measure.

Eventually the Mahdist Cavalry died to a man having refused all decency and not routed and the pinch point opened enough to get some wagons rolling through. But seriously it did take all day to get that result they just would not run the blighters! So I swung my now free horse into the flank of the closest Beja and launched a bayonet charge with a foot unit at the same time.

We ran out of time but it was clear that Her majesty would have been pleased with the action in the Sudan this day. All my troops had taken losses but none had actually broken and disgraced themselves.

There were a number of issues that the rules and situation bought up. I think the British had about twice the number of troops they should have and the fact that the Mahdists turned up in dribs and drabs which meant Tim would never be able to make a strong concerted effort. Which did not lead to a very balanced game in the end which is a shame as I would like to do more of this period. A string of emails have been sent both ways with ideas and suggestions and Tim has amended some of the rules to suit our club more even sending updated quick reference sheets to Graham and myself. I can't say I out played Tim in any regard despite the clear win it was just that at no stage did the poor chap manage to get enough troops on the table. Then when he did get troops into the game they were so scattered that the long range of the rifles (30 inches when foot move 4 inches a turn) meant they could be severely weakened to the point that they could not really impact. So Other than the native horse I initiated the charges with my infantry. We all like a bayonet charge after all!

A slightly disappointing game I have to admit, but lessons learned so with luck next time we play a more even result has the potential to emerge. That's it for today thanks for reading and I will blog again on Wednesday. Best wishes Clint.




16 comments:

  1. Nice AAR Clint. Sorry it was a bit of a disappointment, but you did have a chance to get in a weekend game and like you said, next time it will be better.

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    1. Thank you Anne. I think the rules and setting has so much to offer, it all just needs tweeking a bit. I am sure Tim will do that without too much trouble.

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  2. That does sound like a very slow move for infantry. Is it possible that you've misinterpreted the rules and that a unit may move more than once in a round? Seems unlikely, but without such a change these rules don't sound very usable.

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    1. I have not actually read these rules, so yes it is possible the multi movers might be included. Tim was reffing it so I just don't know. Movement has been mentioned in our emails though so we have identified the problem we just need to agree a solution.

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  3. Perhaps more LOS-blocking terrain (hills and gullies in this case) would have helped the Madhists get in closer before getting shot up? Also, it may have helped Tim if the first two tranches of Madhists to arrive on table had been a bit stronger?

    Great AAR btw

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    1. Thank you Tamsin. I totally agree. Tim should have had bigger units and rolled twice I think each time for reinforcements. The terrain did help the Mahdists quite a lot, but clearly they need a bigger advantage in using it.

      I did enjoy the game and would very much like to do more of it, I think the main problem is getting a set of rules we like that fits the period well. And not just some generic Colonial set. After all Zulu's fight very different from Boers or Boxers or Maoris or Mahdists.

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  4. It's a pity it was such a disappointing game as the aar sounded quite good and the Sudan is a favourite period of mine.

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    1. It is easy to look back on a game differently to how you might feel at the time. I do think with only a few small changes this will work really well and it is a period and setting I would like to do more of. As I said to Tamsin it's just getting the right rules.

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  5. Nice AAR and I can see you've taken the pictures :P. I don't think I can say much about the rules, but I keep being amazed at all the "boring" settings you guys are digging out and playing :D

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    1. I put my camera in the bag the night before. Sorry we are playing such tedious and dull games. How about next time I put a zombie game on? Be warned I plan to!

      Colonial era I must admit I would be drawn towards the "Boxer Rebellion" just because of the colour and spectacle. Although the Sudan would also take my interest. I shall have to search long and hard to find the "right" rules though.

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  6. Just some rule bodging and things will be fine, we Rejects go through the same some times but with more shouting!

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    1. Indeed you are right a bit of tinkering and all will be well. I think most rule sets need a little adjustment to suit individual clubs needs wants and desires.

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  7. Sorry to hear that it wasn't quite what you hoped for, but lovely to see those gorgeous miniatures on the table.

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    1. Oh yes Tim always has nice armies. Everything well painted and based and ready to go. He is a huge asset for the club. It is inspiring to see and I have some unpainted 10mm Pendraken Mahdists which might struggle to the top of the painting pile soon because of this game.

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  8. Nice AAR Clint and I have had numerous games for numerous systems just the same. A few tweaks here and there and the game should be alot more enjoyable.

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    1. Thanks Carl. WE have a new quick reference sheet with the needed amendments we need. Give it a few months and we should try again.

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