Battle of the Wadi, 13 January 1916

[paulr]

Thanks again, that is a better quality image of the map than I managed to find online

[paulr]

Second test game for Sheikh Sa'ad successfully completed. I did come up with one question that I have posted to the TFL Yahoo group

I'm doing some test games for a demo game in late January, part of day 2 of Sheikh Sa'ad in Mesopotamia, roughly 100 years on.

One situation I have had a couple of times now is an Ottoman company spread out along a trench line being attacked by two British or Indian companies.

I can see at least three ways to handle this, there may be others:

1. count each side as one unit and apply the combat calculator modifiers
2. split the Ottoman company in two and fight two close combats, applying the close combat calculator modifiers to both parts of the Ottomans and each attacking company
3. apply the close combat modifiers to each company and split the Ottoman dice against the two attacking company

Which is the correct way?

Thoughts from any of the ITLSU players here welcome as well.

[WeeWars]

You're right, there aren't any obvious Multiple Combat rules. Use ITLSU's mantra 'The key unit in these rules is base.' Don't handle any two units (especially with different ratings) as one unit. Split the outnumbered unit in two and use one die per base. Question would be: do you also split any suppression points? I would, seems fair.

In this case, I would add both attacking units' Spunk Ratings to the defending unit's Willingness to Fight throw. So the outnumbered defenders may simply surrender before any multiple combats.

[paulr]

Thanks Michael, so you are suggesting 2a.

Question would be: do you also split any suppression points? I would, seems fair.

I hadn't thought of that, I assumed that the suppressions would apply equally to both parts of the defender, similarly to an attached MG 

In this case, I would add both attacking units' Spunk Ratings to the defending unit's Willingness to Fight throw. So the outnumbered defenders may simply surrender before any multiple combats.

I used the best Spunk rating not both, you subtract the attackers spunk rating so using both would make the defender more likely to stand (unless they were both Diggers)

[WeeWars]

As combat is in bases, it seems appropriate to split the bases. As kill and suppression is taken on either a troop base or attached MG, it seems appropriate to also split suppression modifiers when the troop bases split. However as with the rule mechanics not being able to cope with reaction to two charging units, the assumption probably is that full suppression is applied all round.

Nevertheless, it would seem that the rules assume that combat is always unit v unit and that any other units are treated as flank support - flank support that has no effect on reaction to being attacked. That may be the way to go. Except, of course, that chargers will be moving...

What are the sizes and formations of your units in this situation?

[paulr]

Typically it has been a company of Ottomans of 3 stands charged by two companies of Indians of 3 stands each.

The Ottomans have been spread out in the trench to cover ground so cover about 5". Five of the Indians can attack the front and the 6th counts as an overlap.

In my test games I have attacked with two companies up and the second two companies make the charge...