Gaming - Sudan - 3rd Battle of El Teb 29th Feb 1884

A fine days gaming was had with the lads from the Old Guard Wargame club today. I set up a Black Powder rules game to re fight the battle of 3rd El Teb. This battle was the initial driver for doing my Sudan collection so its great to see it played out.

The table we had was 12x6 with plenty of troops for both sides - as per the scenario in the Black Powder rules book . We stuck to this as it was the first BP game for us all and we were all learning. 4 Brits - Roy - CinC , Martin 1st Brigade, James 2nd brigade, John - Cavalry Brigade, and 3 Mahdist players - Pete Cinc, Steve - 1st Rhub- lots of Beja infantry, and Stuart 2nd Rhub - the mounted stuff and myself umpiring to try and learn the rules and how to run a BP game.

it turned into a real duff up. It was played with a great spirit by all - a great game...  so on with the action!

The British struggled to get themselves in order with various failed command roles in the first few turns. The mahdists marksmen and captured gunners were also unerringly finding their mark at long range too. 

all quiet 

The visible mahdist defenders are deployed 

The imperial column advances

its a large distance to cover to take the village

The brigades start to expand to check for mahdists on their flank

Scouts lead the way forward

Excellent long range shooting from the mahdist guns and skirmishers cause problems

Mahdist rifleman appear from the wadi 

The Black Watch deploy to chase off pesky marksman

just as 4 Beja warbands turn up. The Hussars join the fray cutting one down completely 

The right deploys into line , but the centre is a bit thin....

The gatling deploys to provide more support

The mahdist mounted troops bound across the wadi to press 1st Brigade

Terrifying charge are held .. but only just , casualties are taken.

Maximum firepower deployed....

Volley fire!!! sees of the cavalry ..

it wasn't a good time for the gatling to jam boys!! the gunners are cut down!

The RMLI find themselves under pressure - with screaming Beja all around..

it gets worse as the Yorks & Lance retire leaving the RMLI surrounded - and  massacred!

The British pressure on both flanks finally breaks both mahdist brigades and the army  flees!

Brits - Martin, James, John... CinC Roy is hiding!

Mahdists - Steve, Pete Stuart  

It was touch and go for the Brits , the initial poor command roles left them problems to resolve. Their  rolls finally came good in combination with some fragile mahdist break tests . It could easily have been two British brigades breaking with a few different rolls . 

Overall for a first play of the rules we felt they went well, and were being picked up well. Certainly we will want to play more with the scenario and stats etc ..we will play them again.

We had enough time left just to stick some ancients on the table for a knock about Impetus game - more of that another time. 

Not sure whats up for the next days game , but looking forward to it.