Return of the Sudanese

The refurbishment of the Sudanese, now complete, has returned to its original purpose as an enemy for an 18^th century ImagiNations set in East Africa. The rules used, the War Game Rules 1685 – 1845 have been adapted to make them compatible with the DBA3 system. Supplementing the variant rule set, is a Seven Years War campaign system developed for the European theater and will now include a colonial theme.

The Seven Years War has often been described as a global conflict and for Great Britain, it confronted enemies in North and South America, India, Asia (Manila) and Senegal. The latter had appeal, but would necessitate the purchase of West African natives and that was out of the question. However, moving an Anglo-French conflict to East Africa seemed a better option and so the refurbishment of the Sudanese began in earnest.

A most helpful source, “A History of the Beja Tribes ofthe Sudan” by A. Paul 1954 (available at Archive.org), describes the various tribes and their geographical location. The political background is briefly sketched in chapter IX and does fuel a myriad of possibilities for an imaginary conflict, much of the information is provided by Leo Africanus, a writer on Africa of his time. 

The miniatures.

Meroitic Kush and the Noba before transformation.

Beja warriors

Beja cavalry and camelry

Baggara cavalry and camelry

Emirs

Scenario test - Capture a strongpoint

A defensive position overlooking an important supply route is the objective for this scenario. Held by a battalion of infantry, a small brigade of infantry supported by two squadrons of dragoons have been assigned to capture the position and hold it to the following day. Assault is to begin during the early morning and its capture should be made before noon.

Forces:

A battalion of French occupy the position and these are classed as raw.

The British consist of a battalion of Highlanders and the combined companies of grenadiers, supported by two squadrons of dragons. The latter are positioned off table to will arrive immediately on a roll of a 6 or the expenditure of 4 pips following the Collision Course system.  

 

Test one.

British troops are seen deploying to line quickly bringing them in range of the fort’s heavy artillery. A courier is despatched to alert the general of the assault.

After scaling the earthwork, the Highlanders engage the defenders. Informed they would find untrained troops defending, the enemy demonstrate a surprising resilience. After losing half their number, Alsace flee and seek shelter behind the newly arrived reinforcements.  

During the action surrounding the capture of the fort, British dragoons had taken a position near the hamlet to guard against reinforcements arriving. They did not have long to wait as French dragoons headed the advancing column. Both sides deployed to line, but the French are first off, the mark and wreaked havoc among the British sending them to flee.  

As dusk approaches, the French general does not have not enough troops to recapture the fort nor to engage the British in a fire fight and so relinquishes the position to the British.

Test two.

The second test was replayed on the same terrain, but with the British attacked from another side. The grenadiers lead the assault while the Highlanders were sent to secure the hamlet and delay any possible reinforcements.

The defense of the fort was tenacious, such that the Highlanders changed direction to join the assault, entering through the back door. This proved too much for Alsace and survivors fleeing wondering why the reinforcements had not arrived.

Observation

Both sides began the scenario with an even number of troops, with the defender having the majority his off table, its arrival would be decided by a die cast. After two relatively easy victories, a number of ideas were come to mind to bring some balance to the scenario. Much should depend on the commanders leading their detachments.

Leader capacity, in this rule system, is described as either cautious, bold or rash. In this scenario, the attackers, lead by a bold general, fought a cautious defender and the quality of troops under each should reflect their level of leadership, in this case, elite and veteran troops attacked raw or untrained recruits.

This might be the direction needed to balance play, cast a die to determine the quality of their general and troops. One could envision a defending bold general strengthening the fort’s defenses with an abatis, easily made to delay an attacker’s approach.    

Scenario test - An accidental encounter

Both armies are on the move and in an attempt to hinder their opponent the attacking army have despatch an advance guard to seize and hold a key junction. This must be held until nightfall as reinforcements will arrive the following morning. The opposition have caught wind of the plan and have despatched their own force to contest the move.

Forces and time clock:

Both forces are of equal strength, consisting of two battalions of infantry, a unit of light troops and two regiments of cavalry. Hanover have a ‘bold’ general commanding their force and the French, a ‘rash’ general. Forces sight one another at 09.00 hours leaving 13 hours of daylight.

 

Test one

Using the Collision Course variant, both forces have marched cross country delaying the formation of a battle line. The Franch have deployed their cavalry to the left of their battle line while Hanover have positioned their cavalry to each flank.

Before infantry lines reach shooting distance, a cavalry fight erupts on the Hanoverian right. The resulting combat proves ineffective and both sides break off to rally. Following an exchange of musket volleys, the 1^st battalion of Swedes sweep the Hanoverian jaegers away and come face-to-face with Hanoverian line infantry.

Despite being disordered, the 1^st battalion of Swedes charge the Hanoverian line forcing them back. Elsewhere, French light troops skirmish with a second Hanoverian battalion. French cavalry, in reserve, wheel right to take the Hanoverians in flank, needing little time to send them off the field. The Hanoverian centre critically exposed, leave the field as nightfall approaches, leaving the French to hold the crossroads.

Test two

Terrain is changed slightly to give both sides the advantage of road movement. Rain has fallen making both fields a quagmire limiting the available dry ground.

The brigade of Swedes surge passes the crossroads and are met by the Hanoverian infantry. The Swedish left is charged in flank by Hanoverian cavalry, but these take a withering fire from French light troops positioned at the edge of the wood.

The attack to their flank proves devastating and the Swedes are routed leaving a lone second Swedish battalion to grimly hold on. It does not take long before French command decides to withdraw and leave the crossroads to Hanover.

Observations

Both sides were able to score a success which is good news. The current series of tests take place in Western Germany where terrain may vary between arable, hilly or forest regions. This is determined first by a die cast, followed by the random selection of a terrain card from the appropriate deck. This negates the use of maps and time taken for map movement.