Assault Across Suez 1915

[Beast of Bukhara]

A couple of pictures from the League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers ( LOEK)  presentation at this year’s war-games show at York, Vapnartak 2015. A demonstration game of the 1915 Ottoman assault over the Suez Canal.
 
The Ottoman plan to assault across the Suez Canal existed as early as August of 1914. However, it was not until November that serious plans were drawn up with German assistance. From November to January huge amounts of supplies were gathered, troops concentrated and in mid-January the Ottoman forces began their long trek across the Sinai desert towards Egypt.

Crossing Sinai were the Turkish 25th and 23rd divisions, and veteran 10th division accompanied by over 5,000 camels caring water, artillery and everything the army need to sustain such an attack. The British had 70,000 troops in Egypt twice the Ottoman force strength. However except for the experienced Indian troops these were new and spread the length of the Canal Zone.

The British Indian Army troops remained on high alert but it was not until February 3rd that the Turks launched their assault at 0325 at a concentrated location under cover of divisionary attacks. All went well until a zealous group crossing began praising Allah a little too loudly. This alerted the Indians, the Turkish heavy artillery opened up and a small force of Ottoman troops crossed the Canal to engage the Indian defensive positions on the west bank.

This then was the starting point of our game…..

The pictures show Ottoman troops streaming across their pontoon bridge to attack the Indian positions beyond. The second picture illustrates the Royal Navy providing defensive fire support from Lake Timsah to the North of the point of Ottoman assault
 over the Canal

[marianas_gamer]

Wow, that gunboat is really something special 
Lon

[Over Open Sights]

CAMELS!  Bloody fantastic... but I would say that 

[scrivs]

I took a look at this yesterday and it was rather splendid.

Also surprised to find a very old friend from my Sealed Knot days turning the cards.......

 

[Beast of Bukhara]

Thanks Lon

The model of M33 was commissioned for the LOEK demonstration game at York Wargames show. The model was chosen to represent the Royal Navy fire support provided from vessels to the North of the Ottoman Canal crossing and stationed on Lake Timsah.
 
The real M33 was not at the battle on 3rd February 1915. In fact it was not then built but it did take part in the Gallipoli campaign later the same year. Alongside it other monitors continued to provide valuable service in support of ground troops for the rest of the war in the Middle East and beyond. As such Cameron's model provides a fitting portrayal of the Royal Navy's contribution to the Middle Eastern campaigns.

The other reason for choosing M33 was that it still exists at Portsmouth Historic Docks and is currently undergoing restoration…..

[juergen c. olk]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is the best,more pictures please.

[James Morris]

Rather wonderful - well done!  Have you got any more show appearances planned? 

[Beast of Bukhara]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is the best,more pictures please.

Thanks Juergen
I'm still awaiting the rest of ours back from the developers.  In the meantime Darrell Hindley captured some great shots which are on his blog.

 http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/vapnartak-york-wargames-show-report.html

[coggon]

Well done there Mr. Beast Sir Stunning.

 I take it that this was a Bhukaran production, not an "official" League project?

[OSHIROmodels]

Very good 

cheers

James

[Beast of Bukhara]

Thanks Jim

Real Deal and "official" as it said on the poster.
Most of the gang where present.
 Check the photo fit suspects pic on Darrell 's site

[marianas_gamer]

Adrian Pasha,
I checked out the blog photos  Close up it was even better.  The Turkish infantry and cavalry, that I assume is part of your collection, is particularly nice.
Lon

[Burnin Coal]

  Wow ! Beautifully painted figures and an amazing looking table...the blog pictures are nothing short of inspirational...hopefully you'll be bringing the game to other shows as I would really enjoy seeing it close up

[Tym]

So well presented with that special look.  This is the standard that display games should have at a shows.  Like the RHA teams.  Well done to all

[Beast of Bukhara]

 The Great War Miniatures (Woodbine Heads) RHA teams and Ottoman Lancers are a collaboration with Mark Hargreaves

http://over-open-sights.blogspot.co.uk/

The blue coated cavalry are Ottoman Gendamarie I did these by way of a simple hat conversation of Perry Miniature Sudan range Egyptian cavalry.  

I had wanted to field another unit of Ottoman Dragoons but alas the were not finished in time….indeed still not so.  These will be Forgotten Front mounted Turkish troops minus lance.
 
Putting the game on at another show would be great. It would give me a chance to actually play.   and field the Ottoman dragoons