Tri-State Bolt Action and other wargaming stuff Blog

Turn 1

The revolt begins in the north which is a surprise to the government in Alexandria expecting the revolt to begin in the west after the disastrous defeat of General Hicks.  The revolt starts at Dongola where half of the 5^th Egyptian Regiment is either killed or converts to the cause of the Mahdi and is absorbed into the ranks of the Dervish.  Next to fall is the vital location of Abu Hamed.  Here the loss is greater. Half of the 6^th Egyptian and the 4^th Squadron of the Egyptian Cavalry is lost, this regiment was new and the recruits were suspect. The Camel Bashi Bazooks simple disappeared never to be found.  These volunteer Turks were more than likely killed outright.  The good news is that the garrison at Wadi Halfa, Berber and Atbara all held out.  Wadi Halfa has 4 turn of supplies, but this should be no issue being close to Egypt as they await reinforcements to arrive.  Atbara has 5 turns of supplies and with the steamer Hermes, should hold out for several turns.  The concern is the remaining elements of the 6^th Egyptian Regiment and the Mounted Bashi Bazooks at Berber.  They only have 2 turns of supplies so the Hermes, may have to make a run to Berber bringing supplies with it.  All other areas remain very quiet, but tensions are high with the link to the north cut off. 

The Hermes is ordered to push to Berber and pick up some supplies.  As the Hermes approaches Berber the besieging Dervish melt back into the desert and do not put up a fight.  The Hermes brings in 5 turns worth of supplies. A very fruitful trip.

In the west the commander of the 1^st Egyptian Regiment orders the elements at Dara to march to El Fasher to join up with the rest of the regiment.  In the south the elements of the 2^nd Egyptian Regiment begins a march down the Nile from Fashoda to Kosti.  In the East, General Valentine Baker orders the 2^nd Egyptian Cavalry Squadron and the 2^nd Gendarme to begin advancing to Berber to help keep access to the Nile open. 

Back to the Hermes, after arriving at Berber and delivering sufficient supplies for several turns, the Hermes returns to Atbara with no sightings of the local Dervish.

The 1^st Egyptian regiment rejoins with the parent regiment at El Fasher. Elements of the 2^nd Egyptian advances from Fashoda to Renk with no sightings.  Finally the 2^nd Squadron Egyptian Cavalry and the 2^nd Gendarme arrive at Sinkat on their way to Atbara.

 

The Khedive and the British Government act quickly send to begin the relief of Sudan and stop the Revolt:

At Aswan the following arrive:

2^nd Egyptian Infantry Brigade Commander

Xth Sudanese Regiment

XIth Sudanese Regiment

 

At Suakin only the following unit arrives on their trip back from India:

3^rd Infantry Brigade Commander

2^nd Battalion 46^th Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

 

Closing out the turn the revolt index in the north goes up by 2 since 2 towns fell and there was no battle at Berber.  All other revolt indexes go up by 1 to 2 in the west, 3 in the east and 4 in the south.  The Mahdist only gains 15 points for the turn.