First battle of the campaign

[FierceKitty]

It was. There were a few special panic rules for Egyptians coming within charge distance of Hadendowah, and the result was remarkably close to reality. Hicks currently imprisoned in Suakin, Gordon dispatched to supervise evacuation of Khartoum, Mahdi ordering a raid on Abbysinia. Pix should follow.

[Leman]

Look forward to those.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Me too!

[FierceKitty]

The Mahdist campaign has encountered its first major deviation from reality. The raid into Abyssinia was repulsed yesterday with crippling losses to the Faithful and minimal losses to the defense. The time stream is now hopelessly compromised, since the besiegers at Khartoum are weaker than expected (Gordon has also beaten off the first attempt to storm the town).
Sir Garnet has landed and has elected to start at once, following the Nile south without waiting to gather camels or train better Egyptian troops. Ironically, he could have spared the time for a more leisurely campaign. It'll be interesting if Gordon has to sally out to rescue him instead of the historical scenario.
Pix should follow soon.

[Poggle]

I'm looking forward to this!

[FierceKitty]

https://plus.google.com/104084964744926294929/posts/5topz7aRqbA?gpinv=AMIXal8LVjRW8LlYk748G-cUzhISWgRvAU2DLmkq24G_Msmx3fNNoSvm6WPLvma_mDBfVFgE1mlDWiCJkMlHNb-Acc3n5IA6tA_nNkdztD4TUiFu-paLugI&cfem=1

The pictures were taken by the Negus of Abyssinia, not me.

[Bodvoc]

That is a very impressive looking game.

[FierceKitty]

Over too soon, however. The Mahdist player bunched his good troops with no room to deploy on the right wing, failed to cover the flanks of his attacks despite favourable numbers, and lost his commander, Ali ibn-Yaq, to a lucky artillery salvo. As if that weren't enough, even the Tuareg mercenaries were too tough in melee for Ansar camelry, and beat them off, which proved costly, since their retreat was now blocked.

[FierceKitty]

(He was Thai, naturally.)

[FierceKitty]

Sir Garnet is now marching up the Nile; pre-battle skirmish in progress.

[getagrip]

Lovely looking battle FK

[FierceKitty]

The relief has already failed, Brits have retreated to Egypt, and Khartoum has fallen. We've skipped ahead to Omdurman.

[FierceKitty]

And the campaign is over, Gordon avenged, and Madhism defeated. It was interesting that I included the hidden wadi feature, and what do you know, the 21st charged right in!