Battle of El Walli , part 1

So Thursday night at the club saw most of us pull together our colonial forces for a large but hopefully quick game. It did mean that the natives were made up of Beja, Zulus and Afghans to give us enough numbers.

The British forces were split into 2 commands with Neil G leading 3 companies of the 24th Foot an a detatchment of the 17th Lancers. Andy commanded another company of the 24th and some European volunteers as part of the relief force. He also commanded a company of Marines and volunteers within the village of El Walli.

There mission was to march to the aid of the garrison of El Walli, after their paddle steamer had run aground, their commanders thought it would be a dashing idea to march overland.

The natives were split into 3 commands. Robbo commanded a unit of irregulars and 2 units of Tribal warriors. Neil B commanded a unit of irregular and 5 units of Tribal infantry. Thom command 1 unit of irregulars and 4 units of Tribal infantry. They significantly outnumbered their European adversaries.

The relief force

To start the game the Europeans chose to advance straight up the table. They were very worried about  large areas of scrub on each of their flanks. Pretty sure it would be from these areas that their enemy would emerge. First couple of turns it was all quiet as the natives remained hidden. Andy's regulars though seemed to be reading a different map to the others and would spend much of the game looking rather lost.

Let the Lancers go first

As they slowly advanced the garrison waiting patiently for their arrival. Eventually the cry went up, enemy to the flanks as the natives sprang their ambush. The Lancers had veered to close to the scrub and were surprised by some tribal warriors. However they quickly fought off their foes, but with heavy casualties, losing half of their number.

The garrison stand to

What's that coming over the hill?

Enemy to the right

Right lads, Charge!!!

With their dander up the Lancers decided to charge headlong into the enemy, buying valuable time for the regulars to form up. Lowering lances they hit hard into the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties on the first unit, but the blood lust got the better of them as they followed up into a second unit and met their demise.

With the cavalry gone, Neil G and his 3 companies were assaulted, despite repeated volleys the enemy still came on. The 3 companies were taking a losses they could ill afford. On the left, Andy's volunteers engaged with more of the enemy, managing to keep most of them pinned, If only the regulars would move up in support instead of squabbling about directions.

Fix bayonets

Keep firing

So next week will see the conclusion of the game. The British have taken a hammering on the right flank. Even the garrison of El Walli is moving out to try and support them, but Thom's un-engaged tribal units are moving to intercept them. Things look better on the left with Robbo's natives pinned down.

Now it is a race, can the Brits hold off until the rest of the relief column arrive or will the natives cut them down where they stand....