Sudan - Distinctions between Mahdist forces?

[cram]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahdist-Wars-Source-Book-Comprising/dp/0692380833/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458384242&sr=8-2&keywords=mahdist+war

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Mahdist-Wars-Source-Book/dp/0692524738/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KRHWANW02P0TB3Q6XQC

Excellent books in my opinion!

I second Mr Faverham's suggestion for good reading.

[Atheling]

Due to the misadventures of Egyptian forces under Hicks Pasha et al, the Mahdists acquired a number of Remington rifles along with Krupp field guns

And importantly early on in the beginning of the uprising. Thus it wouldn't  be out of place to see the Beja in this time period with Remingtons.

Darrell.

[VonAkers]

Hi
I think dadlamassu has it pretty right.

I have kept my  the Nile Arabs ( lower  nile) with a  slightly different look from from Kordorfan ( Or main force) as I call them.
I have the main force with a more arab look, lots of Jibbehs, however I am gaming only the early Period.
I have the Fuzzys as the early ones as well , no patches yet and still have the traditional hair.

I believe the later Omdurman Mahdists were all very much of a much ness.
.
The Mahdist riflemen especially in the early period were very ineffective.

Can not recommend the Go Strong into the desert book highly enough.
Cheers

[italwars]

they were very poor shooters...as every native..up today
also in 3/4 of their battles, not against Anglo Egyptian, in which they send a purposly selected and armed (high percentage up to total warriors armed with firearms...almost captured BL) ..i'm referring against the Belgians , French and Italians the casualties sustained by the above mentioned Colonial powers from firearms where very limited...i play TSATF where the factors are practically  the same for all Dervishe types...maybe you can, just for the sake of a more varied game, to allow Fuzzy Wuzzy a higher morale to close in....as, in some occasions, their tactics (or lack of tactics)..lead them to the stupidity of charging close order formations modern armed European infantrymen over open terrain...

[Happy Wanderer]

Gents,

"they were very poor shooters...as every native..up today"


In relation to Ansar shooting ability...how does this reconcile with Doug Johnson's assessment?

http://www.savageandsoldier.com/sudan/AnsarFirepower.html

Seems to be he thinks Ansar firepower was a good deal better (at least for a period of time) than most thought and the 'thrust' of this thread suggests?

HW

[nathan]

I find Doug Johnson's article convincing.  It really looks like they used rifle fire to good effect.  Though not nearly to the degree the British did.  And not in the save way.