Battle of El Walli, part 2

To say this was a game of two halves is an understatement. Last week the British suffered badly, reluctant to move, couldn't hit a barn door when firing. This week that was all to change. Firstly there was the timely arrival of an extra unit of volunteer horse.

The Mahdists/Zulus close in

Volunteer horse arrive

he game re started with the British D Company finally moving into position. Last week they did nothing this week was there moment of glory. Elsewhere B company poured a volley into the advancing enemy, putting 7 of them down. Newcastles' rifles left the protection of the village and poured a devastating volley into one of Thoms Zulu regiments, killing 6.

Give them a volley

The garrison sally out

After this initial setback, the Mahdists and Zulus renewed their attack. The irregulars returned fire into B company and to the shock of everyone killed 7, needing to roll sixes. A second unit then crashed into the remnants of B company, quickly putting them to the sword. Thom's Zulu force then decided to swing their attention to the village, a fateful moment it was to prove to be. As they engaged the enemy they came under fire taking casualties. This is where Thom's notorious dice rolls came into play, failing every morale check to first be pinned, then when trying to rally the units ran away.

The death of B company

Where have the Zulus gone

Very quickly where there were once 6 Zulu regiments, only 2 remained. Meanwhile the Afghans were suffering much the same fate. Under fire from D company and the volunteers, the casualties began to mount up and they began to melt away. The Mahdists to were coming under fire from the mounted volunteers, they quickly tried to reform their lines but most of the units were now well under strength.

Afghans under fire

Mahdists reforming

Volunteers clearing the way

Mounted volunteers crest the hill

Last charge of the Zulus

The Zulus made one last charge into Newcastle's Rifles, inflicting and recieving heavy casualties. It was a last desperate effort but the game was up. After an hours play the whole gamehad swung back to the British. However we all agreed that the Natives, though failint in achieving their objectives could be happy with their work. They had destroyed 3 companies of British regulars and a unit of Lancers. What was leftof the British relief column was going to need to be relieved themselves.