Through the Dakla Gap

"Ma'am, scouts report a caravan about 3 miles out and closing."
" Major, Please take your command and advance to the caravan and determine whether or not they are the source of that dust cloud on the horizon."
"Yes, Ma'am."

As reported in the last episode the regiment forms into two lines and moves forward.  Reaching the column Major Heinz, in temporatary command of the regiment along with Princess Louisa Marie question the caravan leader about the dust cloud behind the caravan.

 

 "Abu Said, do you know what is causing the dust cloud on the horizon to the north."
"Yes, Miss, the cloud is from a tribal mass from the hills east of El Shab.  They travel fast and light on foot, we are escaping from our village with our wealth and families.  We left a week ago once we had word that the tribes were rampaging toward us demanding tribute."
"We have soldiers coming along the trail behind us and we will attempt to stop them from destroying you and your families."
"God is great, we will not forget this help."
"Major, send a runner back to the column to move forward with all speed to that low mound just west of us. We will hold them back there."

"I want your wagon drivers and surveyors to arm yourselves and stay with the wagons, our regular troops will reinforce you if we get surrounded."
"Princess, we did not sign on as gunmen."
"I understand that Watkins, but we might need your help if we are to survive the coming battle."
"Officers, this hill will form our forward defense and set the wagons behind us to form a square of sorts.  Captain Moab, you will take your company and refusing our left flank, Major Suliemen you will take your two companies and form the right flank, refusing one company. Majors Hesse and Sewald you will place your regiments in the center.
Majors Heinz and Berg you will take your regiments and the animal a mile or so to the rear out of sight and detail troopers to hold them there, then you will divide to each flank about two miles out and advance when the tribe is about 1000 meters from us.  Charging or firing when close enough to the enemy."

The tribe crossed the horizon about 2000 meters away and quickly spread out to encompass the hill.
The rubs on either flank moved faster than the center and came on to attack the flanks.  The Right flank under Major Suliemen fought valiantly with some help from the drivers on that flank.  Firing began at about 400 meters, two rubs were demoralized before they got to within 200 meters.

Two other rubs advanced and charged the line reaching it to melee the troops.  Outnumbered, Suliemen's troops acquitted themselves well, killing or wounding nearly twice their number, while taking 2 KIA and 4 WIA.
Gunfire from the advancing natives caused only one casualty, most bullets going high over head.

Several rubs lost high numbers of natives to gunfire and dropped out of the fight in the center.  Captain Moab's company did great damage to the charging natives causing massive casualties to two rubs.  While the center rubs were in their final charge to contact the cavalry arrived.  A final volley from the center regiments caused three native rubs to route before contact.

Major Berg's Dragoon regiment fired a volley disrupting the final charge on the right flank; while Major Heinz' lancers charged into the flank of the native attack on the left flank disrupting and scattering the rubs.

The natives scattered back the way they came with barely five rubs left of the nine that began the attack.  More would die before the day was out as the cavalry followed their retreat closely.
The Princesses survey column to El Shab suffered 3 KIA and 4 WIA.
The column would continue several days later after caring for the wounded and burying the dead. A messenger was sent back to Princess Viktoria requesting more ammunition be sent forward to the village just ahead where the column would rest a further four days while the survey crew began mapping the plain.  Another messanger was sent to Abu Said caravan that it was safe to return to their village where the column would be waiting for them.

NOTES:
1) The Sudanese and Egyptian troops (Essex) were recruited in Aswan to bolster the few infantry available to Viktoria.   Also a battery of artillery has been added.
2) Three infantry regiments of Hussars will soon grace the available forces as well as soon as their uniforms are completed.  A battery will soon be added as well. 
3) The Naval brigade will be adding two quick fire guns soon to operate along the rivers and coast.
4) The first regiment has been named an historical unit (Eureka, Pricess Sofia SYW figs) and will be used for ceremonial and guard duties in the capitol. A battery will be included.

 

5) A unit of Zouaves (in fez, brigade Games figs) has been recruited locally and will soon join up.  Increase to regimental size will occur this fall to both zouave units with the addition of at least three batteries of mountain guns (Tiger) for regimental use.
The next installment will be in late Sept. or early October.

Advance to El Sheb

As soon as the troops are ready to play I will post the results of the Advance to El Sheb.  I expect to game this next segment on 3-4 August.  So expect the write-up on the 4th or 5th.

25 miles west of Senegal - May, 1876

After the arrival of several new regiments to Senegal (located across the bay from Dakla).  The Princess' decide that they need intelligence of the country further away from Senegal than now available.  Toward that end the Princess' send Louise Marie with a strong force of cavalry, infantry and surveyors to map a roadway to El Shab somewhere over 100 miles into the interior.  The column consists of an advance section of either infantry or cavalry, a cavalry regiment of hussar rifles, infantry, supply wagons, a lancer regiment, and finally an infantry rearguard.  Vedettes are posted on the flanks to worn on danger.

At sunset of the third day out a jaeger section scouts ahead, nothing seems amiss. 

At dawn a Hussar troop on a nearby ridge spots a dust cloud in the far distance.  A galloper is sent back to report and Princess Louise Marie halts the column.

The Princess sends a galloper to the Lancers' commander to move to the head of the column.

The 1st Lancers move forward and begin the evolution into two lines.



As the lancers move forward at the trot Princess Louise Marie orders the column forward to higher ground a a more defensible position to await the lancers' report.

Notes:

1. The Zouave dressed Jaegers are from Brigade Games.

2.  The Lancers and rifle armed Hussars are Hinterland.

3. The wagons are a mix of 4Ground and Old Glory.

4. Soon the the column will discover what made the dust cloud.

After an all toooo long break my Mafrica campaign continues late next week with at least one new adventure or the beginning of a major exploratory campaign into the unknown landscape of Senegal.  New troops have landed and been recruited locally and trouble is brewing in El Shab with the Emir.

Hinterland sends more troops

Hinterlands latest as well as some older casts are in the process of obtaining their uniforms and weapons.  Soon to arrive in Mafrica for their campaigning are three Hussar Regiments. Two of two troops of 6 plus a squadron (3 figs) of command.  Two of these are mounted, lancers and rifles, and one dismounted of two troops of five, two command figs (Officer and standard) and one representative horse holder (made from a Hinterland zombie but painted like a live person, with maybe another horseholder later).
Coming soon after will be at least two infantry regiments of 24 troops plus 4 command.  Already uniformed and armed is a Regiment of Jaegers (Brigade Games' female Zouaves) and a Naval Brigade of 11 with 3 command.
Over Christmas I am planning two scenarios for Mafrica, hoping I can get some troops painted to use beyond the Jaegers and Navy.  Although the natives have long been painted and are ready to deploy.  Of course, I will be using Sword and the Flame.
I am hoping Santa will bring some new buildings as well as a new Regiment of infantry, we'll see soon enough.

The Flashback

"Well, von Drake you have had a taste of Mafrican warfare and it has not come out to your satisfaction. How does this affect your orders?"

"Herr Jepson, actually not very much.  You know they were give to me by the Kaiser himself. It happen thus after the summer manuevers:
I was approached by a General of infantry I did not know, who instructed me to attend the Kaiser.

"There I was greeted by Bismarck, who introduced me to the Kaiser."

“At ease Gentlemen, I am ready to listen to your plans for ‘Our’ portion of Mafrica. You may begin Bismarck.”
“ Sire, as we all know the Berlin Congress of 1873 gave Mitteland a portion of Western Mafrica. As I was about to explain to everyone, you have decided to give the area of Senegal to Kronprinzessin Viktoria und Cecille to administer as they see fit. Apparently they have formed some infantry and hussar units to protect their fiefdom.”
“Enough of that Bismarck, we made them a promise that we will keep.”
“Yes, sire. To continue, although the Jutland government will transfer their territory officially in six months, there are pockets of Jutlanders who will refuse to leave. We want these people gone before our troops arrive. “
"Your basic orders, von Drake, are to see that the Jutlanders leave our new possessions. Come Bismarck we have much to discuss."

"Bismarck and the Kaiser left me with three generals and a Duke."

“Major, we have an assignment for you. You will command an expedition of officers and other ranks as well as natives you find qualified to carryout your orders. Your immediate superior is Otto Jepson, our unofficial and incognito man on the spot. He is not to be revealed to the Jutlanders as our man. You will have autonomy in actions, which are to make the Jutlanders who want to stay-- leave and retire to Jutland or to their territory north of the Semar River in the Kaffia. You will keep out of Senegal and west of the Dakla/Semar Rivers.”
“And if they refuse to leave our territory, sir?”
“You are authorized to use any means necessary. Your written orders will explain your limitations. Any other questions?”
“No, General.”

 "I was then left with Klink and a staff officer who arrived with my formal orders."
“You have picked your team of Officers and Other Ranks?”
“Yes, General Klink. Here is the list.”
“Ah, yes this looks very good, except for Karl Peters, we have other plans for him. You will need several Warrant Officers to train your native troops unless you can find some with training from other European countries. You and your men will depart from Bremerhaven within the fortnight, on the SS Prinze Oldenburg. You may open your sealed orders once you enter the Bay of Biscay."

"The staff officer left and the Prince of Bavaria arrived."
"Your Highness”
“Major, I have been asked to hand these further orders to you, not to be opened until you are in the company of Jepson and not to be over heard. The contents are extremely sensitive with regard to current conditions here in Europa, so keep them on your person at all times, do not let them out of your sight.”
“Yes, your highness I quite understand and will comply with my life.”
“You had better, von Drake and we want another list from you by morning of a further 20 individuals you have confidence in, who will form the cadre of your new unit and who can comply with orders to undertake any mission no matter how distasteful to a gentleman. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Herr General!”
“Good, these others will arrive within a month of you.  You will report to me at Dongala within a week of our arrival, we may have additional orders and men for your unit at that time.”

"So von Drake if they kept to their timetable General Klink will be landing with the majority of our troops by the end of next week.  What will you tell him, that you have lost two dead and five wounded of your men with no favorable results?"

"Actually, Jepson, yes, I will and tell him that the Jutlanders resistence was stronger then they thought and it will take more men, properly trained not natives to shift them off their land.  And, by my orders that is exactly what I am to do, I will no longer report directly to you but through you to the General."

"Let me see the orders....So you need a hidden valley to train your men and whatever natives we can find to fight for you.  I think I might have one in mind that will suit you perfectly, the locals think it has bad juju and stay away."

"That sounds perfect, when can we go there?"

"Tomorrow too soon? It will take two days by steamer and a couple of hours through the jungle to get there."


Notes:
The figures here are all 30mm Tradition General staff from about 1910, 35 years too late but they work for me.  They are based on one inch fender washers with oriental carpet cut to fit then their metal base was just barely painted to give the impression of carpet.

Next time, hopefully by early October, the adventure continues with the Pricesses while von Drake and his cutthroats begin training.

Visitors on the Dakla, part 2

Well von Draken your orders are simple, you will take two companies of Ruga Ruga and some of my best men to Nyebye, the Jutlanders new town.  Give them a chance to retire but get that mine so we can pursue our orders with as many natives as we need to get rid of the Jutlander settlers and eventually the Militar-madchen down river.  You will use my steam to help transport the men down river rather than march overland as they will hear the native drums before you ever get near.
After landing and camping overnight the Mittellanders and Ruga Ruga move towards their destination.  A Nyebye scout breathlessly runs into town.

Bwana! Bwana! Ruga Ruga coming!  Many Ruga Ruga.

 Beat the drums, everyone must know and prepare.

Quick get the women and children to the Askari village and into the forest!

Askari families and cattle are driven off into the jungle.

The first group of Jepson's Ruga Ruga arrive on the outskirts of Nyebye.

Von Drake advances into town under a flag of truce telling the Miners to leave now and they will be left alone. Stay and there will be no holding the Ruga Ruga back from their depredations.

We will stay and fight and never leave the mines to you and your ruffins.

The first Ruga Ruga company attacks led by Jepson's European mercenaries.

A small flanking movement moves forward on their right. While the second company moves forward led by the Mittellanders.

The first Ruga Ruga company has stalled in the advance and the second company moves forward adding to their morale and they all move forward.  Above a mercenary kills the local mullah and moments later falls to his death attempting to jump to the next roof.

 Meanwhile the attack on ruins by the flanking movement after cleaning the ruins has stalled and been pushed back with many casualties.  Several Askari are killed but with the help of a couple of miners drive off the Ruga.

 The advance up the main street continues until finally within throwing range of the dynamite sticks the miners had reeking havoc with the Ruga and stalling the attack.  Miners have taken casualties as well as at least a dozen of the Ruga and mercenaries.  The Ruga regain their morale and charge the blockading wagons killing most of the defenders and forcing them back

Moving past the wagons the Ruga Ruga and Mittellanders make a run for the far mine killinga miner as he threw his last stick of dynomite which blew up next to him.  The miner still living move in behind and around the Ruga Ruga killing and capturing the few remaining.  Several of the Ruga Ruga have escaped and are attempting to make it back to Jepson's steamer vowing to return and teach these Jutlander miners a lesson.

Notes:

Major Von Draken escaped but will eventually return with more Ruga Ruga.  The miners may apply to Princess Viktoria's forces for protection as more of them arrive from Mittelland.  Also on that front, Mittellander regular troops are about to begin landing at Dakla.

Figures are mostly Wargames Foundry and Copplestone with some Westwind and Pontooner/Badger Games miners.  Buildings by Miniature Building Authority and Hovels; mines by Howard Whitehouse, and wagons by Old Glory and 4Ground.  The 4Ground wagons are laser cut wood/fiberboard? are a dream to assemble and while I painted one I think that they look great unpainted.  Finally a few scenery bits and pieces are by Ainsty Castings or Acheson Creations.

Next time the Princess sends out a survey team to map her territory.  The El Shab emir will not be happy.