The Men who would be Kings; take 2

Captain Marshall took another look at the village through his binoculars.  The place seemed deserted.  Reports of it being a hotbed of the revolt would appeared to be in error, however, his orders were "destroy the village and round up any of the rascals you find".  Another quick look and then the decision.  "Elliot.  Give my regards to Captain Hughes and request that he deploy his gun to shell the village".  Marshall then sent orders to the infantry component of his small force.  It would be an enveloping attack, the Scots on the left, the East Rutlands on the right and the Blue Jackets in the centre.  All were to advance in open order, but be ready to close up if enemy forces appeared.

An overview of the table, the Imperial forces arrive on the left hand table edge.

A close up  of the village.  The counters indicate the strength points of the buildings, which can be reduced through artillery fire.

Before he set off on his task, Marshall had been 'advised' by several of his senior colleagues on the 'craftiness' of the Dervish.  "They can spring up out of nowhere" one old campaigner warned.  "Don't be caught in open order, or you will carved up like a Sunday lunch" another said.  Marshall had discussed these warnings with his infantry commanders after he had explained his plan for the attack and events would show how much notice they took.

Marshall watched his forces move forward.  The Scots made a very thorough investigation of the scrubby area to their left, which destroyed any chance of a concentric attack.  Marshall sent a courier with a terse "make haste"to hurry them along.  In the centre, the Blue Jackets made slow progress through some broken ground, but when they reached the far side they could see Dervish riflemen lining the wall of the village.  The riflemen had been firing to good effect on the East Rutlands who had made good progress on the right.  Even though the redcoats were in open order they lost over 10% of their number.  Undeterred the East Rutlands returned fire and were joined by the Blue Jackets once they cleared the broken ground.

The East Rutlands start firing at the dervish riflemen

Keen to improve the effect of his rifle fire, Lieutenant Carter ordered his men to form close order.   This did have the desired effect, but it also made the redcoats a better target.  It was just as well the Blue Jackets now joined the fray, directing their fire against the enemy riflemen.  Soon, the tribesmen's fire began to slacken as losses mounted.  More encouragement was given by Hughes' gun which had found the range and was now pummelling the village.  One building in particular was suffering and Hughes directed his men to concentrate their fire there.

Marshall's spirits began to lift, this might just work.  An aide then drew his attention to a plume of dust which was approaching the village.  Through the binoculars he saw that a significant number of horsemen were heading towards his forces.  They were not alone; more Dervish infantry appeared from the village and the surrounding broken ground.

Dervish reinforcements arrive

Neither Lennox, with the Scots or Carter with the East Rutlands, could see the approaching dervishes, but Dubney, who commanded the detachment of Blue Jackets saw the cavalry as they made their way through the village.  As they cleared the village and headed for Carter's command he ordered his men to fire at the horsemen rather than the riflemen.  A good number of saddles were emptied, but not enough to stop the horsemen and they crashed into Carter's men.  The redcoats were driven back with heavy losses.  They were saved from annihilation by Hughes, who saw the danger and targeted the horsemen as they gathered themselves for another charge and swept them away with shrapnel.  The pitiful remains of the East Rutlands made their way slowly back to camp, taking their wounded with them.  However, the gunners paid a high price for their work.  A unit of Dervishes had made their way through some broken ground and now charged.  They totally overwhelmed the gun crew and cut them down.

The end for Hughes and his gallant men

 On the Imperial left, Lennox was about to make for the village when he saw two bands of Dervish heading his way.  His men formed line and began firing volleys which scythed through the ranks of the leading unit.  Weakened, their attack was easily dealt with, but the second unit was still at full strength and when it crashed into the Scots, and their line wavered.   Eventually, they managed to drive off their assailants, but it had cost them half their strength.  Both sides now paused to regroup.  The Dervish then charged again and almost wiped out the Scots who were now too few to form close order.

Lennox's command fight for their lives

 Dubney would have come to Lennox's aid, but he was having to fend off the dervishes who had overrun Hughes.  The Blue Jackets managed to stop the Dervish advance with a well-aimed volley, but they were still being sniped at by the few remaining riflemen in the village.

Dubney's Blue Jackets keep the Dervish at bay

The game ended at this point (after the allotted 12 turns).  It was a clear Dervish victory, 10 points to 3, the Imperials getting 3 points for demolishing one house in the village.  The butcher's bill for the Imperials was horrendous.  Only 9 of the 36 infantry survived (2/3rds of those being the Blue Jackets) and none of the artillery.  The Dervish also had heavy losses, but only lost one unit, the cavalry.

Steve and I discussed the game afterwards and identified the need for the Imperial troops to find a position with a clear field of fire, preferably on a hill and force the enemy to attack them there.  Also don't form up too soon and make yourself a good target for the Dervish riflemen.