Monday night we played a Men Who Would be Kings game with the Mahdists up against the British (who else?)!
We chose Scenario B, Seek & Destroy as the basis for our game. We did beef up the 'Native Forces' to make up for Messrs Martini and Henry!
The AAR and some pictures!
The British deployed using their cover with an Infantry Unit on each flank and their Gatling Gun in the centre. The Mahdists advanced with a three of Units in their centre and five on each flank!
With amazing alacrity the Mahdi horde advanced (read high rolls for bonus At the Double movement) and they were quickly in range of the British who opened fire as soon as they could causing casualties but crucially not Pinning the Natives.
As the Mahdi got within short range of the British the air was filled with hot lead and attackers losses began to mount, one, two and then three of the advancing Units were Pinned and despite the Mahdi Units good morale their forward momentum was beginning to stall...then on Turn 7 a crucial roll changed the game, the Gatling Gun Crew failed to activate! There was a lull in the British Musketry! Seizing this chance the first Mahdi Unit contacted the British behind their barricades, this first charge failed to breakthrough but it inflicted losses on the British Unit. These losses meant the defensive fire started to dwindle. A second charge struck the British line, this too was unsuccessful but it weakened the British even more!
The Mahdists now engaged the British left Flank in close combat, the game was in the balance! At this time the British reinforcements on their right flank slowed the Mahdists but they did not reinforce their left, they used their other reserve Unit to move into the encampment in the centre of their line. This weakness on the British left proved decisive, it was here the Natives got around the British defences! The situation began to crumble for the Brits. A shining light for the British at this point of the action was the heroic performance of Lieutenant George; after repelling four ferocious attacks and with his whole Unit slaughtered around him he gainfully fought on with his revolver and sword driving off the the fierce Mahdist warriors single handed, Victoria Cross material indeed! It required a direct order from Colonel Brown-Pants for him to retire to the rear and seek aid (and await his award presentation!).
Osman Dirka, the Mahdist Leader who had been quiet early in the game now came to the fore! Mopping the sweat from his brow and girding up his loins he personally led two great charges; the first overran a British unit near the encampment and the other smashed the Englishmen who had been successfully supporting their right flank, these successes along with the capture of the Gatling Gun after it apparently jammed again (read failed another activation) broke the sprit of the defenders! Colonel Brown-Pants ordered his men to withdraw, his intact Highland Infantry Unit complied while loosing off a final volley which decimated the Mahdist unit they targeted!
"Fuzzy-Wuzzies Sah! Fousands of 'em!", The British Gatling Gun Crew tackle the Mahdists...
The undaunted defenders take a bead on the attackers...
The first contact! Lieutenant George's Unit receive the initial Mahdist onslaught and see it off with ease albeit whilst taking casualties!
The stuff of Victoria Crosses; Lieutenant George himself sees of another Mahdist charge with time to spare to twirl his moustache!
Mahdist Leader Osman Dirka leading a charge on the infidels!
The AAR with OOB, summary and lots of pictures are on the TSOG Blog here...
https://toysoldiersforoldgits.blogspot.com/2021/10/midday-at-oasis-men-who-would-be-kings.htmlCheers!
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