Monday 19 May 2014

Death in the Desert.

Well I did forget my camera, but Graham took some photos and sent them to me. So not too much choice of pictures.

Tim set up a colonial club game for us yesterday. We used the Blackpowder rules and his figures and terrain. Only 2 of us had used the rules before and we are both dyslexic so it was slow going! WE had to look up many things but got there in the end.

I was cut off in a camp and very low on ammunition. Only able to fire 10 times before the supply caravan reached me. I had two units (Companies) and one Gatling gun. The Gatling gun would use up 2 shots each time it fired and each company would use 1 ammo point each time they fired. Colin pictured above had the supply convoy 3 companies of Infantry and 1 company of cavalry to protect the supplies and come and rescue me. Tim and Graham each had about 6 units of Marhdist troops in addition Tim had a smoothbore cannon and some Camalry, while Graham had some cavalry. They each had some hidden units. The rest would arrive in random positions on the table edge.

The Anglo Egyptians had the first move. Colin sent scouts ahead and moved his cavalry to screen the left flank of his column. The Mardist troops started to arrive. Colin's Cavalry charged some Ansar., Both forces came to a standstill one rolling very good dice and the other player rolling poorly. Down near my camp some Ansar came in range so I shot at them and missed everything. The following turn I hit everything so the Dice gods were not being unkind. Anyway the Camels were making slow progress towards me and I though that I would get support before I was over run.

 Colin was being cautious both being unfamiliar with the rules and wary of ambush. After 3 turns the camel train stopped and never moved again for the rest of the game. AHHHH! I need ammo! Colin had problems of his own. He put his troops into line and started firing at the rotten Ansar of Graham and Tim. He easily kept them at a distance with ranked rifle fire. But this was not helping me. Still as long as my supplies arrive in time I would survive.  Tradagy! Colin Blunders an order, the line is pulled out of position and isolated. The Marhdists seize the opportunity and swoop into melee with the company. It fails its break test rolling a 4 on 2d6 and flees the board!
NO!
Colin Gets More Cautious. I have six mardist units closing in on my camp and am now down to 4 rounds of ammunition. One group attack the Gatling gun. If the gun is to survive I have to use half my ammunition. I roll a d6 and miss, I am allowed another shot and roll a 1 and jam the gun! The Ansar close assault it and is over run! I have two walls to defend with my Infantry each of my companies facing 2 Ansar. In the first round I use my "steady" ability and pass my morale checks which was nessercary as the Ansar had "Ferocity" allowing them to re-roll misses in the first round of combat. Now out of ammo firing at point blank range I survive (By jammy dice rolls) for three turns until. Graham fudges his orders dice roll twice in a row and can't get his Fuzzies into combat!! So I am only actually out numbered 2 to 1 with no ammo! First one of my companies unit fails it's morale check and flees from the board. my last Company holds the torn bush defences but is eventually driven back having forced 4 of the 6 Marhdist units to flee the field. They are then forced to retreat further into the camp, abandoning the thorn bush defences.

Meanwhile back at the camels. Colin has lost the scouts (tiny unit). He then tries to fill the gap. And pushes his cavalry into melee with the Ansar which are threatening to push through the gap. The Cavalry bounce! They are worn and fail a morale check and are forced to flee the board. Colin still has 2 Infantry units but is now facing a fair amount of Marhdists and has a massive gap in his line. Tim sends his camalry in and they just seize the camel train ahead of Grahams troops. Does not look like I will be getting my ammo now!

Back at the Camp. Graham finally charges with his Fuzzies (beja) and as it is a ferocious charge and as I don't have my defensive thorn bush barricade and no units in support the thin Khaki line dissolves! Game over.

A really good game, the best I have played for ages, such fun. The scenario was really well balanced and the momentum changed sides several times in the battle. It really could have gone any way it just did not go the British way this time.

More painting on Wednesday. Thanks for reading and with luck I will see you soon.

All the best Clint!

31 comments:

  1. Ah, bad luck, Clint, but at least you had fun and that's the main thing.

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    1. Honestly the most fun game I have had in ages. Thank you Bryan

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  2. That looked like a cracking game there Clint and great fun to. Those damn Madhists can be a downfall dont you know old chap.

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    1. I say those Madhists are jolly unsporting! Not allowing me to get resupplied before starting the battle. It's just not cricket! Thank you PK.

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  3. Sounds fun Clint... next time, throw caution to the wind... perhaps? :)

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    1. My job was to defend the camp. It would have been possible to sally forth but extremely tricky. Maybe next time I will . Thanks Ad.

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  4. Damn thrilling stuff my friend, good scenario.

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    1. Very Balanced I thought, the scenario. It really could have been anyones game and it ebbed and flowed back and forth several time.

      Thanks Fran. I hope you game is equally good on Sunday. Just make sure you win it!

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  5. All the way through that write-up I thought that you'd be rescued and get your ammo, but alas it wasn't to be.
    A very entertaining read and this does sound like one of those games that you'll remember for a long time to come.

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    1. I think you are right Jo. I am really surprised that when out of Ammo my guys could still hang on for a few turns.

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  6. Great report even if lacking in photos ;) Edge of the seat reading through and through.. Always like it when you can put together a proper scenario and see how it plays out. Much more fun than "Kill them all" or "Defend this X while killing them all" type games. Good on you!

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    1. Thanks Mate. Yeah I forgot my camera. It's all my fault no one else to blame that's for sure. As mentioned it was a very good scenario and very well balance. Thanks Craig.

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  7. Sounds like it was a fun game with a loss! ;)
    My luck with ACW is similar , my veteran units are prone to running and my green units stand firm. Of course they perform in that manner that defies my plans! My subordinates are very insubordinate! ;)

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    1. That sounds familiar! Yes I would rather loose and have fun than win and not enjoy the game. Thank you David.

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  8. Excellent scenario and looks like it was a great game. Win, lose or draw as long as you had fun thats the main aim.

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  9. Never mind sounds like it was close fought and down to the fickle fate of the dice!

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    1. Yes indeed scenario very balanced. A couple more good dice rolls and we could have won. Thank you Simon.

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  10. Good to see someone remembered their camera. ;) I really must have another look at Black Powder.

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    1. Camera nope it was a phone! Yeah have a look at BP the rules worked really well. Thank you Michael.

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  11. Oh no, the camels let you down! I can't believe it. Looks like you had a cracking good time despite the loss.

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    1. Thanks Anne. Obviously I NEED many more camels.

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  12. "The sand of the desert is sodden red, -
    Red with the wreck of a square that broke; -
    The Gatling's jammed and the colonel dead,
    And the regiment blind with dust and smoke..."

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    1. Very good that's almost what happened. Almost exactly. Cheers Hugh.

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  13. Thanks Loki. I think I would have played my part the same way. So I can't complain dice and luck are all part of the game. And to be honest the fact that I was able to hold the torn bush barricades without ammo must have had the dice luck with me at some points.

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  14. That was a great read Clint, thanks! The board itself looks great as well - out of curiosity, is that cloth in a single colour?

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    1. The board is an old bed sheet that has been died and spray painted. We're wargamers so what ever works right? Thank you Mathyoo.

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  15. That may have been a disappointing ending for your forces, but it was a great read. It sounds like the battle see-sawed and was quite thrilling!

    No matter what happened, at least you had fun, that's the best part!

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    1. You are right the battle did see-saw (as you put it ) several times. No disappointment from me delighted that my defenders held out as long as they did. Thank you 667

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  16. I've nominated your blog for a Liebster Award! I follow over 400 Wargaming Blogs so picking a shortlist of just 11 was really difficult, congratulations. You can see my post listing all my nominations (including this blog) here : http://www.blmablog.com/2014/05/ive-been-liebstered.html

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    1. No offense Lee but I decline this award. I have sent you an email and will leave a comment on your blog.

      So thanks but no thanks.

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