Interrum SvP work

SCIENCE versus PLUCK

OFFICERS POCKET BOOK

SCIENCE versus PLUCK

or

too much for the Mahdi

THE SUDAN CAMPAIGNS 1881-99

A VICTORIAN WARGAME

BY HOWARD WHITEHOUSE

OFFICERS' POCKET BOOK

CONTENTS

IntroductionMovement

Playing SvPFiring

On Being a British OfficerImperial Reaction

On the SudanMelee

Callwell on Small WarsPersonal Combat

Advice to Soldiers of the QueenDisorder

An Officers Personal KitRallies

The RulesVisibility

Character BriefingsDuties of Officers

ScalesEmergency Responses

The ForcesEnding the Game

Sequence of EventsBasic Campaign Information

(Howard Whitehouse

SCIENCE versus PLUCK, or TOO MUCH FOR THE MAHDI

The Sudan campaigns 1881-99: a Victorian Wargame.

The relief of General Gordon and his garrison, so long besieged in Khartoum, is the glorious mission that the queen has entrusted to us.

It is an enterprise that will stir the heart of every soldier and sailor fortunate enough to have been selected to share in it, and the very magnitude of its difficulties only stimulates us to increased exertions.

Sir Garnet Wolseley,

General Order of November 30, 1884

Yesterday Thornton and I rode out to some villages near here and looted everything we could lay hands on.

Lt. Percy Marling after El Teb

INTRODUCTION

Science Vs Pluck is a game of the Sudan wars set at a generalship level; in which players portray officers in the service of Queen or Khedive, and seek to solve a variety of problems posed by the enemy, the harsh terrain and climate and, indeed, their own orders. All the participants serve together in, one would hope, some degree of cooperation, while one or more umpires, control the wild Sudanese foe-men, other Imperial officers and their troops, and the universe in general. A distinct degree of roleplaying is required; players are expected to devote themselves to behaving in a properly Victorian manner, while the umpire will ensure that his own dramatic performances of fellow Britons, Arab merchants, Syrian interpreters and suitably obsequious other ranks are appropriately Kiplingesque. Tea and buttered scones should be available at all times, stronger spirits only after noon.

For myself, the fascination of this period lies in two areas. Firstly, there is the distinctive spectacle of the British officer abroad in Africa. Some of these gentlemen, like Kitchener and Wingate, were not only thoughtful professional soldiers but also keen students of Sudanese culture; others fitted Sir William Butlers ironic portrait of The young bloods of Mayfair, pig-sticking their way through the world, convinced that they are Bearing aloft the banner of British freedom and western culture.

Secondly there is the unknown. By this I do not mean fear of the unknown, since our stalwart Victorian officer, of course, knows no fear, but simply that, since he is serving in an alien land against a cunning enemy who observes his own set of rules and prefers not to advertise his whereabouts, our hero must expect to be faced with a number of situations outside his general run of experience. The game reflects these qualities rather than the wargame orthodoxies of choreographed manoeuvre and data charts. In practical terms this means that our gallant band of players will often blunder around the brush in complete and utter ignorance until they are informed that drums are beating and that a subaltern of the 19th is riding in on a lathered horse... While the umpire may choose to be charitable to his players or not, he should expect them to believe that he is determined to wipe them out as cruelly as possible; if this is not the case, something is clearly wrong.

There are few strict rules to Science Vs Pluck; this is an informal game based on conforming to a given character and to a Victorian ideal rather than a rigid set of instructions. The tactical rules are devoted to brigade or divisional actions - the El Tebs and Atbaras - rather than the skirmishing of outposts. Many situations rely on the expertise and imagination of the umpire rather than on specific rulings, and indeed the umpire is welcome to set aside strict adherence to the rules where it is in the interests of a tense, flowing game. The rules function as a structural support for an improvisational wargame, not as binding judgments.

H.J.W.

PLAYING SCIENCE versus PLUCK

O cursed one your time has come.

Unidentified Arab to General Gordon, 1881

Welcome to SvP. As a player in this military entertainment you will be systematically persecuted by a person known as the umpire, an apparently malevolent character who will seek to keep you in suspense most of the time, and in hot water for a very good deal of it. Equipped with only partial knowledge of the rules by a deliberate ploy on the part of your humble Game Designer, the player is required to enter into the spirit of the British officer corps of the late Victorian period, by means of the Cultural Briefings contained in this short manual, by specific personal briefings given to you by the umpire as a guide to your individual character, and by any reading that you may care to do on the Sudan and on the British Empire and its army. Watching Zulu, on the VCR is as good a place as any to start - my father took me to see it when I was seven, and I turned out rather well...*

* Publisher's note: This is, of course, a matter of opinion...

This Players Handbook contains the following:

SYMBOL 183 \f "Symbol" \s 10 \hA lecture on the key issue of Being a British Officer.

SYMBOL 183 \f "Symbol" \s 10 \hA collection of relevant military doctrines taken from Small Wars an intelligent and insightful treatise by Major (later Colonel) Callwell, originally published in 1896.

SYMBOL 183 \f "Symbol" \s 10 \hAdvice to Soldiers of the Queen, being brief selections from Victorian military authors useful to the officer on campaign.

SYMBOL 183 \f "Symbol" \s 10 \hAn Officers Personal Kit.

SYMBOL 183 \f "Symbol" \s 10 \hSelected portions of the Umpires Handbook, detailing those parts the rules system to which I feel the player should be, largely for the sake of convenience, a party to.

The reason for this last provision is as follows. In most miniature wargames the player has two functions. He is both the commander of forces and the divine eminence who administers the mechanisms by which they conduct their tactical manoeuvres. Very often this latter role, allied to the very basic fact that all wargamers are much larger than their model soldiers, serves to undermine the critical role-playing aspect of the game. As a result, many wargamers never feel any particular identification with their chosen historical personality, and believe that role-playing is the sphere only of small, non-historical games. SvP is a role-playing game in which players command fairly large forces - battalions, brigades and divisions - but view their circumstances from a personal man on the spot perspective. Thus the player does not have access to the bulk of the rules, but relies on the umpire to handle the administration aspect of the game. Those rules which the player is involved in serve to represent the military knowledge essential to the Victorian Officer but not to a wargame hobbyist of a century later. An officer would, for instance, know how well his men were carrying out their musketry drill (and so is allowed to throw his own dice for fire Hits), but not the precise effects of that fire, which is secretely determined by the umpire. This holds good for all situations in which the officer would have a degree of control over events as they proceed. He must accept that there is a great deal over which he has little influence, and hope that the foresight of his plans and both sights of his Martini-Henrys suffice to ensure that Queen Victoria receives no unpleasant news over the breakfast table.

Despite all indications to the contrary, the umpire is your friend. He does not control the actions of the Dervishes except in a very general fashion, and he can be relied on to give helpful advice and encouragement, at least sometimes. He will be party to your plans, and will control all Imperial forces that are not directly under a players immediate command; ambushes and surprises (and it is perfectly possible to surprise all but the wiliest Mahdist) will be heavily dependant on the goodwill of the umpire and on the roll of his fickle instruments, the dice.

God save the Queen.

ON BEING A BRITISH OFFICER

by an Officer

I adore war. It is like a big picnic. I have never been so well or so happy.

Capt. the Hon. Julian Grenfell, lst Royal Dragoons

...and God has arranged that a clean run youth of the British middle classes should, in the matter of backbone, brains and bowels, surpass all other youths...if he dies, he dies like a gentleman.

Rudyard Kipling, Drums of the Fore and Aft

Gentlemen, you are all officers on the service of Her Majesty the Queen-Empress Victoria. You understand your duty and your men. Many of you will have seen foreign service before, in the Crimea, the Great Mutiny, New Zealand, Canada and in the many campaigns across Africa and Asia. Now you are to go against an enemy who threatens the peace and security of the Empire.

A few words may be in order before you embark upon your business. Those of you who gained commissions prior to the abolition of Purchase in 1871 will attest to the long tradition of honourable service, of ancient regiments steeped in history, of officers to whom the mess was home and their brother officers family, of men enlisted for twenty years or more, of the Thin Red Streak, Balaklava and Waterloo! In these Cardwellite days of short service, regimental amalgamation and other radical reforms, as some call them, let us not forget those sterling values upon which the British army was founded.

It is in the deep rich soil of tradition and service that our army has its roots. Never forget that, gentlemen. As long as you behave with courage and coolness, treat your men with proper interest and care, and above all conduct yourself in the manner proper to an English gentleman, the soldiers will follow you anywhere. The other ranks of the British army, whether Tommy, Jock or Paddy, whether clad in scarlet or the new-fangled Kharkee, recognise that there is no finer species of fighting man, either in discipline or spirit, than a white soldier of the Queen led by a sound British officer.

We are, perhaps, somewhat of a narrow caste. Our fathers were officers themselves, or members of the land-owning classes; few come from mercantile stock or the professions. Educated at Wellington or Rugby and destined for the army from an early age, spending our time at our clubs or at the hounds, we are something of a breed apart from our fellow man.

There has been much talk in recent years - perhaps too much talk - of professionalism, of better training and more rapid promotion for officers of merit. There is something to be said, granted, for those who wish to improve themselves by private study, or by enrollment at the Staff College, and by postings to a unit on foreign service. Yet we must beware the wolf of ambition, which seeks promotion at every opportunity, and by favouritism, which seeks to select certain officers for positions to the detriment of the service as a whole. Not should we permit allegations of Amateurism to go unchallenged. Many officers who are not by temperament cut out for bookwork and intellectual pursuits are well endowed with the qualities of bravery, leadership and good character so vital to a British officer. Nor let us decry the dedication of many gentlemen to field sports; the occupations of hunting, shooting and other manly

sports are conducive both to the physical and moral wellbeing of the individual and to the spirit of the regiment as a whole. Ours is a profession-at-arms, gentlemen, and it behoves us to be ready to face the rigours of campaigning in all ways.

Warfare has changed a good deal in the course of the past fifty or so years. The powers of modern artillery and the principles of scientific musketry have made many of the methods of the past obsolete, at least against a European opponent; the spirited attitude that beat Montcalm and Buonaparte remain, however, the keys to future glories for British regiments on the field of valour.

ON THE SUDAN

Surely enough When Allah made the Sudan, say the Arabs, He laughed. You can almost hear the fiendish echo of it crackling over the fiery sands.

G.W.Steevens

Gentlemen, a few words about the theatre of operations may be of assistance. The Sudan is somewhat of a harsh and barren land. The valley of the great river Nile cuts what passes locally for a swathe of verdant fertility through a bleak terrain of granite rock desert. The land is dissected by dry watercourses known as Khors, by bare stone massifs, and by patches of broken, rocky ground. What little vegetation there is outside the proximities of the Nile consists of stunted thorn scrub, spindly mimosa trees and very little greenery. In some areas - notably the hinterland of Suakim and the region of Kordofan where Hicks Pasha lost his army - this thorn scrub is dense in its growth. On the banks of the Nile, especially after the annual flooding, there is a luxurious growth and a certain prosperity amongst the Arab cultivators dwelling in those parts; the Dum palm grows thickly in some areas.

An army cannot expect any serious contribution to be made towards its victualling needs from the scant resources of the Military Sudan. A yet more serious difficulty is the scarcity of water in any quantity. Outside the Nile valley reliance must needs be placed on the presence of wells found on the caravan routes; at Suakim it may be possible to utilise the services of ships equipped with purification devices. The heat of the sun is intense, intolerable in summer.

Transport requirements will depend either on water craft, or on a large number of camels. It is not to be expected that local markets will be able to completely fill these needs. Many authorities consider that a Military Railway must offer the best prospect of success in this field. The followers of Mohammad Ahmad, the self-proclaimed Mahdi or messiah, are an enemy to be reckoned with. The strength of these Dervishes lies in the charge of their foot soldiers, who are armed in a most primitive yet effective manner. A large quantity of Remington rifles, and some pieces of modern artillery - mainly Krupp guns - have been captured from the defeated Egyptian forces, but reports indicate that no great danger is to be expected from them. The Arabs use their mounted strength largely for reconnaissance. Many of the Dervish chiefs, or Emirs, are very crafty individuals, who rely on surprise movements to attain their successes.

How much reliance we can expect to place on the Egyptian forces is a question of doubt. The army in the Sudan consists largely of the worst elements of the army beaten by Wolseley at Tel-el-Kebir in 82; this is augmented by irregulars known as Bashi-Bazoukhs - men of Balkan or Circassian origin - whose discipline and martial abilities are open to grave question. The new Egyptian army which Sir Evelyn Wood is even now building from the old, will no doubt be a far more effective instrument.

Addendum for the 1890s

The events of the past few years have brought a number of changes. The new Egyptian army has won its spurs, and its Sudanese battalions of black troops show a distinct spirit of vigour. The officer corps, consisting largely of very dedicated British officers, is of the highest calibre, and Col. Wingates

intelligence department has made good the deficits of knowledge that hampered our efforts in earlier years.

The initial raw enthusiasm of the enemy forces has to some extent waned as the misrule of the Khalifa has brought desolation to much of the land. There is, however, a greater professionalism, if that be the word, amongst the soldiery. The Jehadia - black riflemen, drawn largely from the old Egyptian army - and the Khalifas bodyguard, the Mulazemin have some semblance of drill.

Young Mr. Churchill describes The Military Soudan

The real Soudan, known to the statesmen and the explorer, lies far to the south - moist, undulating and exuberant. But there is another Soudan --- whose solitudes oppress the Nile from the Egyptian frontier to Omdurman. This great tract, which may conveniently be called The Military Soudan, stretches with apparent indefiniteness over the face of the continent. Level plains of smooth sand are interrupted only by occasional peaks of rock - black, stark and shapeless. Rainless storms dance tirelessly over the hot, crisp surface of the ground. The fine sand, driven by the wind, gathers into deep drifts, and silts among the dark rocks of the hills, exactly as snow hangs about an Alpine summit; only it is a fiery snow, such as might fall in hell.

Through the desert flows the river - a thread of blue silk drawn across an enormous brown drugget; and even this thread is brown for half the year. Where the water laps the sand and soaks into the banks there grows an avenue which seems very beautiful and luxuriant by contrast with what lies beyond. Yet the character of the vegetation is inhospitable. Thorn-bushes, bristling like hedgehogs, everywhere predominate and with their prickly tangles obstruct the path. Only the palms by the brink are kindly, and men journeying along the Nile must look towards their bushy tops, where among the spreading foliage the red and yellow glint of date clusters proclaims the ripening of a generous crop.

There is life only by the Nile. If a man were to leave the river, he might journey westward and find no human habitation, nor the smoke of a cooking fire, except the lonely tent of a Kababish Arab or the encampment of a traders caravan, till he reached the coast-line of America. Or he might go east and find nothing but sand and sea and sun until Bombay rose above the horizon. The thread of fresh water is itself solitary in region where all living things lack company.

CALLWELL ON SMALL WARS

The conduct of small wars is in fact in certain respects an art by itself, diverging widely from what is adapted to the conditions of regular warfare...face to face with Sudanese and Zulus, old orders of battle, discarded in face of the breech-loader and of shrapnel shell, are resumed again. The hostile forces are essentially aggressive, and...the regular forces are compelled, whether they like it or not, to conform to the savage method of battle.

It is a cardinal principle in the conduct of warfare of this nature that the initiative must be maintained, that the regular army must lead while its adversaries follow, and that the enemy must be made to feel a moral inferiority throughout. The lower races are impressionable. They are greatly influenced by a resolute bearing and a determined course of action.

ON INFANTRY TACTICS

...When determined onslaughts of masses of reckless fighting men armed with spears and swords are to be expected, a scattered fighting line has not the firmness and rigidity needed to meet the shock, and...the old shoulder to shoulder formation in two ranks is resorted to...strong nerves are not generally needed...the losses from hostile fire are not as a rule very severe...irregular warriors seldom stand to receive a bayonet charge...a battalion might put six companies in the fighting line...the two companies in reserve would follow 100 to 200 yards behind... it may be laid down that as a general rule fire should be reserved as long as possible, and until it is likely to be really effective... nothing has so great an effect upon undisciplined forces holding a position as a steady advance, except, of course, threats against their lines of retreat...it must never be forgotten that in small wars it is not capturing hostile positions but thinning hostile ranks which brings operations to a triumphant close...if the troops are hurried they straggle, their fire becomes ineffective, and if suddenly rushed by fanatics they may not be able to meet them with a firm and steady front.

THE SQUARE

The square is adopted...as a battle formation to meet special situations, and it may be used both offensively and defensively...being able to show a fighting front in any direction, and protecting its supplies and wounded...when the terrain is uneven or intersected, the force is very apt to get into confusion. The most careful supervision will not prevent gaps from occurring, the pace of the artillery and of the machine guns is not, as a rule, the same as that of the foot soldiers the larger the square is, the more difficult it is to keep it intact...the best way of providing against gaps...would seem to be by detailing a reserve, or several reserves, within the square...the best arrangement is a reserve at each corner, for experience shows that a rush of fanatics or savages is generally directed at a corner...if there is a fairly clear field of fire, the enemy as a rule indeed never reaches the square.

CAVALRY TACTICS

"Small wars offer the cavalry leader magnificent opportunities on a minor scale. On favourable ground there is scarcely a limit to what his command can effect if handled with boldness and skill...against irregular warriors shock tactics are by no means out of date. Savages...have a great deal of dread of the mounted man...the regulars should not shirk an encounter even with very superior numbers of hostile horsemen on suitable ground...in pursuit of an enemy who scatters in all directions, who lies down...the lance is simply invaluable.

Dismounted duty..- there ought to be a party of men on horseback ready to charge and to cover the mounting of the remainder should these or the horse-holders be rushed.

CAMEL CORPS

Their mobility is strategical rather than tactical...it is not desirable to expose a force which possesses so little tactical mobility to the danger of combat with very superior bodies of fanatics capable of very rapid movement...a sudden onslaught can best be met by the men dismounting and forming a square around the camels...but...there is grave risk of disaster...camels thrive on shrubs and bushes that other animals cannot eat...they cannot travel over rough country on account of their feet, and they are quite helpless on slippery ground.

ARTILLERY

Artillery can and should as a general rule be handled with boldness...throughout an engagement guns should be used at as close quarters as possible...forward tactics will almost always be expedient...massing of guns will seldom be applicable...supposing the enemy to have guns, it may sometimes be desirable to crush these as a preliminary, and a concentrated shell fire will soon achieve this...mud villages have been found by experience to resist shell fire very effectively...to check attacks at close quarters a supply of case shot...is generally to be very desirable.

MACHINE GUNS

On the defensive, machine guns can hardly fail to be valuable...against rushes of Zulus, Ghazis and other fanatics the effect of such weapons is tremendous as long as their fire is well maintained...machine guns can be trusted to commit destructive havoc in the hostile throng provided that their mechanism does not go out of order.

ZERIBAS

Zeribas...are enclosures fenced in by abattis and thorn bushes...not so much to provide cover for the defences as to oppose obstacles to the attack...it economises outposts...zeribas afford a means of pushing supplies ahead of an advancing army.

HOWEVER...the soldier who daily fences himself round with abattis and obstacles to keep the enemy off, may come to think that deprived of this shelter he is no match for the savage he has come to beat.

PURSUITS

Irregular warriors once defeated are so apt to become panic-stricken that regular troops following in pursuit can generally act with great boldness...to have a few parties of horsemen ready to follow up is a most important point if a decisive tactical triumph is contemplated...a strenuous pursuit, even if it be slow, always has a great effect.

RETREATS

It is generally essential to conduct the retreat as a whole with deliberation, and to offer as bold a front to the enemy as possible, because any precipitation will only tend to draw down great hostile bodies upon the troops...the slightest haste or flurry may prove fatal...some form of square formation for the whole force is almost indispensable.

FEINTS AND SURPRISES

It is strange that commanders of regular forces should so often succeed...in drawing the enemy into action by subterfuge and stratagem...that adversaries so strongly addicted to the employment of ruses and feints should often be so easily deceived themselves is...due to their contempt for the solid methods of regular warfare...by a show of weakness, accidental or intended, irregular forces are often completely misled...taking into account the tendency of irregular warriors to threaten the flanks and rear of the regular forces, such adversaries seldom seem to be prepared for attacks upon their own flanks or rear...such antagonists are always in great terror of having their retreat cut.

OUTPOSTS

Foes like Dervishes and Zulus cannot be kept at a distance by the weakly ring of piquets which merely mask the fire of the troops in case of an attack...

Use of vedettes The system...of keeping two men together pushed out from 500 to 1,500 yards according to circumstances; one man could ride back and report if anything unusual occurred...no need for piquets...in bush or in broken ground that regular forces must, when at the halt, be especially on the look out against surprises...savages can crawl through the thickets almost noiselessly...

Outposts at night ...double sentries posted from 100 to 400 front, but as a rule not much over 200...in case of attack the sentries fired their rifles and then rushed in on their piquets...

ATTACKS AT NIGHT AND DAWN

It is surprising how seldom...night attacks have been attempted by the enemy...early morning is a specially favourite hour for savages...to deliver their assault upon regular troops...they are able to creep up mute and unobserved...

Attacks by the regular forces the danger of confusion in delivering a night attack is extreme, and confusion...may lead to disaster...the smaller the force...the less fear there is of mistakes and disorder...the bayonet is the proper weapon for night attacks...by night even the steadiest of troops will fire wildly...experience has shown how very effective attacks at dawn of day are...such enemies rarely seem to anticipate danger at this hour...

THE WOUNDED

The responsibility for safeguarding the troops who may happen to be placed hors de combat is a perpetual source of worry for the commander...they cannot be left in the lurch...at times this will endanger the safety of the entire force.

STRATEGY

...in a small war the only possible attitude to assume is, speaking strategically, the offensive. The regular army must force its way into the enemy's country and seek him out. It must be ready to fight him wherever he is found. It must play to win and not for safety...the object is to fight, not to manoeuvre...delay must not occur...every pause is interpreted as weakness...it is essential that the campaign should not be commenced til there are sufficient forces on the spot to prosecute the work with vigour, and till these are thoroughly organised and equipped for the task...

DIVISION OF FORCES

Division of force, often necessitated by circumstances, is less objectionable in these campaigns than in regular warfare...invasions by several lines tends to impress the adversary without, as a rule, involving serious risk...when each fraction is strong enough to stand by itself.

INTELLIGENCE

It may be taken to be a feature of small wars that the regular army labours under grave embarrassments due to want of accurate intelligence...the extreme rapidity with which the enemy conducts his movements...is to increase the perplexity and uncertainty in which the regular army is plunged...to correctly interpret the auguries derived from reconnaissance, from information brought in by spies, and from the various forms of circumstantial evidence...is often one of the most difficult of military problems...the enemy is generally aware of every movement which the regulars make as soon as it is completed, and often before it has begun.

SUPPLY

...if it were not for the difficulties as regards food for man and beast which roadless and inhospitable tracts oppose to the operations of a regular army, good troops well led would make light of such obstacles in their path...In the British expedition to Abyssinia in 1868, the moveable magazine for a force of 10,000 fighting men amounted to 36,000 animals and 12,000 followers...when during the last Afghan war Sir D. Stewart marched from Kandahar to Kabul, his force of 7,000 had 6,000 transport animals...it may be taken as a rough rule that a transport animal cannot under the most favourable circumstances carry food for itself for more than a month...it is often of vital importance...that the army should be as short a time as possible away from its base, and that the troops should be kept back while the supplies are pushed ahead under the escort of the smallest force which can safely be entrusted with the duty...the best means of doing this is to create fortified depots in the enemy's country, where the supplies are collected and stored ready for the army to use when it advances in force.

LINES OF COMMUNICATION

Communications cramp the operations of the regular army, they act as a drag on its mobility and they tend to tie it down...they are often of immense length and are generally much exposed to hostile enterprises...however...an army without communications in a hostile country, which meets with a reverse, is in a very serious plight.

This brief precis of Callwells volume, which seeks to condense several hundred pages into a few paragraphs, makes no claims to do justice to the full extent of that work; the reader is recommended to seek Small Wars; out for himself.

ADVICE FOR SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN

During the Victorian period British officers became, for the first time seriously concerned to pass on the practical tricks of the trade to others by means of written instructions, advice and anecdotes.

Here are some relevent insights from the following sources:

SOURCES:

Major E.G. Barrow: Infantry Fire Tactics 1895

Maj. Gen. Sir Redvers Buller VC: Notes for the Use of Camel Regiments 1884

Lt. Col. J.D. Stewart: Report on the Sudan, 1883

Maj. Gen. Charles Gordon: Khartoum Journals 1884

Lt. Col. J.M. Grierson: The British Army 1899 (AKA Scarlet into Khaki)

Col. C.L. Harvey: The Organisation & Tactical Use of Cavalry, Artillery and Infantry 1893.

General Lord Chelmsford: from the Journal of the Royal United Service Inst. 1885

Surgeon T. H. Parke: from his instructions for the officers of the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition, 1887

Field Marshal Sir Garnet Wolseley: The Soldier's Pocket Book 1874 edition.

LT. COLONEL STEWART:

ON THE PEOPLES OF THE SUDAN

Besides the main division of the people into Arab and negro, they are again subdivided into a number of tribes and sub-tribes, some sedentary and others nomad. Of the negro tribes, all are sedentary and cultivators, but the Arabs are for the most part nomads, or wanderers, each tribe within certain well- known limits. All these Arab tribes are large owners of cattle, camels, horses and slaves. These last, along with the Arab women, generally cultivate some fields of doora (a kind of millet), or corn, sufficient for the wants of the tribe. The Arab himself would consider it a disgrace to practise any manual labour. He is essentially a hunter, a robber, and a warrior, and after caring for his cattle, devotes all his energies to slave-hunting and war.

Among these Arab tribes, some are called Baggara (cattle-owners), but I have been unable to find a satisfacory definition of the distinction between a Baggara and an ordinary nomad tribe. Some assert that all the tribes that do not own camels are Baggara.

Besides the above, in the north of the Sudan there are the inhabitants of the Province of Dongola, said to be the representatives of the ancient Nubian race. Besides Arabic, they have a language of their own --- the people are mostly boatmen and small traders (Djellabas). In the latter capacity, they are to be found all over the Sudan. Many of them are or were engaged in the slave trade.

Between the Nile and the Red Sea, in the latitude of Berber, there are the tribes of Besharin, Hadendowa and others. These tribes are also said to be very old residents in the country, and to belong to a race different from that of the Arab. They have a language of their own, and some of them hardly understand Arabic.

The Arabs, Dongalawis, negroes, and others settled within the Arab zone are all Mohammedans --- of an emotional and superstitious nature. Hence the enormous influence of the Fakis, or spiritual leaders, who are credited with a supernatural power, and are almost more venerated than the prophet.

GENERAL GORDON'S VIEWS ON THE CAMPAIGN

I would not attempt to pass the bulk of British Force (sic) across country, only the fighting column, to co-operate with the three steamers. No artillery is wanted with either force; it is not needed in any way in this country.

I cannot too much impress on you that this expedition will not encounter any enemy worth the name in an European sense of the word; the struggle is with the climate and destitution of the country. It is one of time and patience, and of small parties of determined men, backed by native allies, which are got by policy and money. A heavy lumbering column, however strong, is nowhere in this land. Parties of forty or sixty men, swiftly moving about, will do more than any column. If you lose two or three, what of it - it is the chance of war. Native allies above all things, at whatever cost. It is the country of the irregular, not of the regular. If you move in mass you will find no end of difficulties; whereas if you let detached parties dash out here and there, you will spread dismay in the Arab ranks. The time to attack is the dawn, or rather before it (this is stale news) but sixty men would put these Arabs to flight just before dawn, which one thousand would not accomplish in daylight. This was always Zebehr's tactics. The reason is that the strength of the Arabs is their horsemen, who do not dare to act in the dark. I do hope you will not drag on that artillery: it can only produce delay and do little good. I can say I owe the defeats in this country to having artillery with me, which delayed me much, and it was the artillery with Hicks which, in my opinion, did for him.

SIR REDVERS BULLER:

DISCUSSES THE ENEMY

If we have to fight in the Sudan, we must expect to meet an enemy far outnumbering us, and who may at first charge recklessly home, apparently regardless of the intense fire we bring to bear upon him.

His arms are immeasurably inferior to ours, and to hurl back with heavy loss any such rush of undisciplined Arabs, we have only to keep in close formation that will give him no opening, while at the same time it enables us to give full development to our fire.

The attack formation for infantry of our Drill Book is not intended to be employed against an enemy like the Arabs of the Sudan. It is designed to enable infantry to advance with the 1east possible loss over ground swept by a heavy fire from guns and rifles of an enemy as well armed and disciplined as ourselves, against whom an advance in close order would be impossible.

In acting against Arabs who are indifferently armed and bad shots, the open formation of the Drill Book is not necessary.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CAMEL CORPS

The soldiers of the Camel Regiments will fight only on foot. They are mounted on camels only to enable them to make long marches. The camel is a good traveller; but he is a slow mover.

He cannot be managed as easily as a horse, and he cannot be mounted, or dismounted from, with great rapidity. The men of the Camel Corps must therefore trust solely to themselves and their weapons when once they have dismounted for action.

In deciding what the tactical formation of the Camel Regiments should be, we have two cases to consider -

1) When we have ample time to make preparations previous to an advance upon the enemy's position, or his advance upon ours --- the invariable rule will be that as soon as the near approach or presence of the enemy in force is known, the men will dismount and either at once form their camels up, as hereafter described, or advance, leading them to the point selected for them to remain at (sic). The camels should be placed close together, each camel having both legs securely fastened, so he cannot rise. A guard, not exceeding one fourth the total strength previously told off undcr one or more officers, will remain with the camels.

2) When we may be suddenly attacked --- the men must at once dismount, tie the legs of the camels, and fight, either is close order, two deep surrounding the camels, or in two-deep squares at the angles of the square oblong (sic) formed by the camels.

BARROW ON FIRE DISCIPLINE

Fire Discipline means the habit developed in the men by training, of firing only in the manner directed by the commander. The soldier must be thoroughly impressed by the efficiency of collective fire as compared with independent fire, and by strict discipline only can the full result of this knowledge be obtained. In the modern battle fire discipline is everything.

RULES AND AXIOMS FOR GUIDANCE

1) Volley firing must be maintained as long as possible

2) The frequent change of objectives is objectionable. Those selected should be fired on till destroyed.

3) Every opportunity must be taken of ascertaining ranges.

4) The lying down position is the best, but as a rule it should not be used within 600 yards of troops advancing to the attack.

5) Long range fire should never be used by troops told off for the attack.

6) Long range fire should be used chiefly by troops on the defensive at known distances, or by troops specially detailed to fire from the preparatory position.

7) On good objectives the fire should be rapid, on bad targets it should be slow.

8) As a rule the Firing Line should not open fire over 800 yards.

9) The Firing Line should be strong from the commencement.

10) Distant fire and frequent halts by troops on the offensive are bad.

SURGEON PARK DISCUSSES RULES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTH IN THE TROPICS

WATER - All drinking water - no matter how sparkling and pure - should be invariably boiled to insure its freedom from dangerous constituents. Cold weak tea, without sugar or milk, is best for the march. Water should be drawn from the centre of the stream.SUN - No precautions can be too great for protecting the head from the direct rays of the sun. The use of a proper head-dress and umbrella, also a spinal pad for the morning and evening sun, is judicious.

CHILLS - Draughts, sitting in damp clothes, especially when heated after violent excercise and copious perspiration - also cooling of the body suddenly in any way - are certain to be followed by fever.

CLOTHING - Loosely fitting woollen clothes are preferable. Light Kommerbund should be worn day and night.

SLEEP - As far as possible off the ground, and always under mosquito curtains at night.

DIET - Should be plain: meat - rejecting the fat; fish, vegetables well boiled; fruit, rice and cereals. Alcohol habitually, especially during the day, is most dangerous; medicinally, on occasions, it is very useful.

TACTICAL ADVICE

ARTILLERY

--- the usual regulations for delivering an attack are not observed. The guns are to be pushed well forward, and worked with resolution and boldness, the moral effect of artillery being very great --- It is easily possible to push the guns into close proximity of the enemy, as their musketry fire is mostly very harmless. The necessity of combining the guns in heavy masses does not arise; on the contrary, it is desirable to have guns ready at hand, wherever they can be usefully employed.

GRIERSON

As a few hundred yards difference of range does not materially affect the value of Artillery fire, a movement over a short distance with the object of slightly diminishing the range is undesirable.

As the retirement of Artillery, which can never fail to be observed, has a bad effect on the troops of other arms, batteries in action will on no account retire except by orders of the officer commanding the force ---

Batteries will often have to fire over the heads of the own Infantry advancing to the attack. Infantry which are half a mile in front of guns are safe from premature shell, and infantry which are a quarter of a mile from the target, run no risk from the effects of short bursts.

HARVEY

To open fire beyond the limit at which the effect of your fire can be ascertained by good sight, aided by telescopes, is merely to waste valuble ammunition; that limit is about 2500 yards.

WOLSELEY

THE CAVALRY ATTACK

There are 3 phases in Cavalry action -

I. The reconnoitring phase.

II. The manoeuvring phase.

III. The attack.

The reconnoitring patrols should give early and accurate information to enable the cavalry leader to manoeuvre to best advantage, and to make the best dispositions for the attack, viz:- to work round the enemy's flank, or to lead him on to the place he best fancies for delivering his blow.

The advance to the attack is generally made in line of Squadron Columns, and Line is formed - between 500 and 600 yards - when the exact point of attack has been decided on and the direction adopted.

In general terms, but subject to such variations as circumstances may dictate, the fighting formation of a body of Cavalry is in three lines.

The lst line - consists of half the force; its duty is to break into and ride down the enemy.

The 2nd and 3rd lines - make up the other half of the force, the 2nd line following at about 250 yards in rear and 50 to 100 yards to one flank, acts as a support to the lst line.

The 3rd line follows at about 400 yards in rear of the lst line, on the inward Or protected flank. It does not join in the combat without specific orders from the brigadier, or in case of obvious need. The 3rd line should never be entirely engaged as a portion might be required to meet eventualities.

The ground in front of advancing cavalry should be examined by 'ground scouts', usually one man per squadron. They should, as a rule, be not less than 200 and not more than 500 yards away from their squadrons.

HARVEY

The trot is the true manoeuvring pace for cavalry; if changes of position, and the advance preliminary to charging are made at the gallop, the horses are blown, before that moment, when brought into actual contact with the enemy, they should be able to exert their greatest speed.

It has also become an axiom that the same squadrons can seldom be got together for more than one grand charge in a day; theoretically this sounds strange, but experience has proved its truth.

WOLSELEY

The attack begins at a distance of from 1200 to 1800 yards; of this, one third is ridden at a trot, and two thirds at the gallop. At 500 yards distance the command The Line will attack! is given, and thereupon the pace is increased to the utmost allowed by regulation.

GRIERSON

DISMOUNTED ACTION

Is only resorted to when the mounted combat is unsuitable,viz:-

To attack villages and localities in advance and to hold them until the arrival of the infantry;

To force or hold a bridge or defile;

To cover a retreat.

HARVEY

MOUNTED INFANTRY

Mounted infantry is attached to an advanced guard. It would be used to move rapidly to seize important tactical points, such as bridges, defiles & c., to support reconnoitring Cavalry, to protect advanced Artillery.

In a tropical climate the employment of mounted infantry spares the marching soldier much unnecessary fatigue.

HARVEY

CAVALRY SCOUTING

Cavalry works in two elementary forms, viz, a collection of isolated groups for scouting and screening, and a compact and concentrated mass for fighting. The Contact Squadrons (scouts & screen) communicate with each other laterally, either by communicating posts (signallers) or communicating patrols, and connecting posts are established between the contact squadrons and the main body.

The limit to the front covered by a squadron may be taken at about two miles.

HARVEY

There are no occasions in life when officers have such opportunities for displaying coolness and intrepid bravery, joined to extreme caution, as when they set out with a troop of cavalry to reconnoitre. This is a duty that cavalry officers, above all, should strive to make themselves perfect in --- Next to courage, daring, physical strength, good horsemanship, good eyesight and quick intelligence, an aptitude for finding one's way over a country is the qualification most necessary for all ranks employed in this duty.

All officers employed upon such duties should have a telescope, compass, watch, metallic pocket-book, and above all things a good map of the country.

Wolseley

OUTPOSTS

Outposts of cavalry are placed upon the same principles as those of infantry, only the piquets are usually weaker but more numerous, and rarely consist of more than a single troop; a squadron supplies two piquets and a troop in support. Double vedettes are pushed forwards from the piquets for a distance of 300 to 600 yards (these are the so-called Cossack posts of 3 men each) --- it is assumed, on grounds of usual conformation, a piquet of the strength of one troop can guard a front of 1 mile in extent.

GRIERSON

At night, sentries should be on low ground, keeping the high land between them and the enemy, so that any one passing over it should stand out against the sky, and so be easily seen.

Smoking should be strictly forbidden to sentries, and they should not converse above a whisper. Sentries by night should be relieved every hour. It is most desirable to have piquets divided into four reliefs for nightwork, but there should never be less than three. In most countries few sentries are required by day. Bayonets should never be fixed during the day, or on bright moonlight nights: in thick weather, and on moonless nights they should always be fixed.

WOLSELEY

The placing of outposts presents very great difficulties in a war against savages. Night attacks are little to be apprehended, but night skirmishes and attacks upon single sentries are part of the tactics of many races --- It frequently happens that a detachment of troops is attacked on al1 sides, and must be protected by outposts all round --- the outposts are not, as a rule, expected to resist an attack, but only to alarm the troops and then to retire --- as in such wars the men sleep under arms, a short alarm is sufficient to put them in array.

GRIERSON

NIGHT OPERATIONS

Night attacks upon savages are made but rarely, because the country is mostly unknown, and the danger of disorder and panic might be too great. If, however, they appear necessary --- the work must be done with cold steel. Attacks at dawn are frequently successful, because just then savages also are least watchfu1.

GRIERSON

A practical manner of insuring troops keeping touch at night, is for the leading files to drop scraps of white paper.

HARVEY

FLANK ATTACKS

--- turning or flanking movements are of great importance, savages feeling very nervous about their communications. An attack on the flanks must be executed with great secrecy, as otherwise the enemy speedily abandons his positions and retires, ere the expected success has been secured.

GRIERSON

The Savage is fond of plots and stratagems, and must be treated, and combated, in the same manner. At times therefore a retreat is feigned to entice the enemy to quit his strong position and put him in disorder; the troops then wheel round and attack him. On occasions the enemy is led into an ambush, and feigned attacks are also made to hide from the enemy the real point of assault, and no means are neglected to force him into grounds that are unfavourable to him.

GRIERSON

PURSUITS

The general who, in pursuit, acts with precaution, who manoeuvres instead of charging, will never inflict much harm upon an enemy; caution is out of place when you have a beaten army before you.

WOLSELEY

RETREATS

When, during an action, a general in command imagines that things are going against him, he should at once direct his QMG, or C. of the S., to make the

preliminary arrangements for a retreat. This must be done most quietly --- the first thing is to get away the baggage, sick, wounded and reserve supplies &c. They should be despatched at once to the rear ---

WOLSELEY

THE SQUARE

The object of a close square where the infantry stand shoulder to shoulder is to receive the assault of an enemy (such as the Zulus and the Soudanese) who rely on a hand to hand fight. The march in such squares presents great difficulties, partly because the space within is too limited to receive the huge number of carts and baggage animals that accompany such a body of troops, and partly because the movements of a square on ground which is uneven or covered with vegetaion must be accompanied by some disorder, or disarrangement. The endeavour is made to diminish those difficulties by the following practice; When a battle is about to begin, the baggage is left behind in a fortified camp, whilst the square advances unhesitatingly against the enemy. It is seen that the square is both an aggressive and a defensive formation. The artillery is usually posted in the corners of the square, the cavalry remains outside it, and the reserves within are placed in small sections along the sides or the corners.

GRIERSON

MACHINE GUNS

If a machine gun can be invented that may safely be entrusted to infantry soldiers to work, and could be fired very much as one grinds an organ, I am satisfied of its great value. They should, however, be considered as essentially an infantry weapon, and should be worked by infantry soldiers. So utilized, they might, I feel sure, be used most effectively not only in defence, but in covering the last stage of an infantry attack upon a position, where the troops have at last to cease firing and endevour to get home with the bayonet.

WOLSELEY

BALLOONS

One of the most effective means of learning the whereabouts of an enemy is by means of balloons, for although the undulations of the ground when viewed from the car of a balloon at an elevation of about 1000 or 1200 feet do not show, yet the positions of troops can be accurately acertained in close, still weather. Ascents by night --- are most useful for this purpose, as the fires indicate the enemy's position, and his numbers may be roughly estimated, by allowing ten men to each fire.

WOLSELEY

WOLSELEY 'S ADVICE ON THE DAILY MARCH

--- it should be an understood thing, however, that the men should have their breakfast before starting; when the marches are over 15 miles the men should halt for dinner, and have an evening meal when they reach camp.

In warm weather the earlier that infantry march the better, but one hour after daybreak is more convenient for cavalry and artillery, as horses feed better then, and the men have light to arrange their saddlery and harness, which is generally badly done for marches begun in the dark.

Brigadiers and general officers should stop frequently to see that the order of march is kept regularly; it is a good plan for all commanding officers to see all their men file past them once every day on the march.

DISTANCES IN THE SUDAN

The distances given in miles are derived from a pamphlet entitled The Soudan and the British Ministry, reprinted in Burleighs Desert Warfare (1884); the comments regarding Caravan Marches and Post Marches (ie despatch riders) are from Stewarts confidential report.

KhartoumCairo1250

Berber200

Abu Hamed350

Korosko510

Debbeh220

Wadi Halfa450

Suakin480 Via Berber

El Obeid230 Nile route; 180 mile desert route 12 caravan marches, 5 post marches

Sennar180

Fashoda490

Lado1000 18 davs by river steamer

Lake Albert1,300

El Fasher550 32 caravan marches, 22 post marches

SuakinSinkat30

Tokar50

Berber280

Kassala300

Khartoum480

KassalaGedaref120 "5 days by camel"

TACTICAL FORMATIONS 1880-1900

Theories on the deployment of troops for battle had changed since the middle of the nineteenth century, based on the lessons of the key European wars of the '50s, '60s and '70s, and on Britain' s own colonial campaigns - Often these theories clashed with one another, while military conservatism was an important element in holding to time-honoured practice. Here, in simplified form, are some basic deployments derived from Grierson and Wolseley.

INFANTRY FORMATIONS

ADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES

concentrated firepower, strong defence & attack.vulnerable flanks, slow movement.

SINGLE LINE

as line but reserves to reinforce weak points.loss of troops from firing line.

REINFORCED LINE (Egyptian attack formation 1890s)

quick movement, presents difficult target.difficult to control, poor in close combat.

SKIRMISH LINE (firing line & open order supports)

quick, flexible, reserves reinforce front line

.limited firepower; hard to use correctly.

MODERN ATTACK FORMATION (skirmish line, supports and reserves - used vs European opponents)

strong in melee, often used as part of a square.lessened firepower

DOUBLE LINE (4 ranks deep)

ADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES

strong defence, no flanks or rear; guns at corners.

very slow; vulnerable to break-ins; corners need guns or reserves.

SQUARE (guns at corners)

fast & manoeuvrable, can form line by turning to flank.very limited firepower, likely to be overwhelmed in melee.

COLUMN OF COMPANIES

(march formation)

ARTILLERY DEPLOYMENTS

spreads morale advantage of artillery.

limited effect of fire; enemy encouraged if gun ceases fire.

ARTILLERY PLACED SINGLY

spreads morale effect of artillery.limited fire effect.

ARTILLERY IN PAIRS OF GUNS

concentration of fire.all eggs in one basket; limited choice of targets.

ARTILLERY IN BATTERY

CAVALRY FORMATIONS

ADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES

all troopers able to fight; good firepower.likely to become blown after charge.

SINGLE LINE

supports give secondary punch/follows up victorylessens initial impact

LINE + SUPPORTS

keeps formation in rough terrain; difficult target.limited power in melee.

OPEN ORDER (skirmish line with support)

easy to manoeuvre or change formation.

extremely limited front line for combat.

MARCH COLUMN (1) regt in squadron-columns

KEY

= Infantry Company (4-8 per Battalion)

= Cavalry Troop (2 per Squadron)

= Artillery Piece (4-6 per Battery)

MARCH COLUMN (2) column of troops

AN OFFICERS PERSONAL KIT

It is very necessary to have padded protection to the backbone when exposed to the sun. Blue goggle spectacles are indispensable ---

Sir Garnet Wolseley, 1885

The well equipped officer will carry the following items:

1) On the person -

haversackwhistlepocket compass

swordservice revolverpocket book &

water bottlefield dressingArmy Message Book

11) On the horse -

field glassesnose bagspare clothing & blankets

mess tinhead ropespare shoes & nails

cloakpicketing pegs

Additions may include personal items like bottles of champagne, flasks of whiskey, and risqu French novels.

THE RULES TO SCIENCE versus PLUCK

And, Thomas, here's my best respects to you!

Rudyard Kipling, Tommy

This section consists of a heavily censored version of the rules. My intention was, in the earliest version of the game, to allow the player nothing beyond the various briefings and his own native wit. The problem with this approach was that the player never had any idea of what he would be called upon to do next, resulting in a rather slow game and a feeling of lack of control that resulted from an overly cautious manner amongst Imperial commanders, who felt that their historical counterparts would have personal experience to guide them. Accepting this to some degree, I have chosen to give the player a partial insight into the workings of the game, partly in order that he may know what is expected of him at a given point, and partly on the grounds that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Therefore, the following pages consist of edited sections of the Umpires Handbook, with certain portions left out. Nothing of any consequence, please rest assured...

CHARACTER BRIEFINGS

You will be provided with a character briefing. This details your role in the game. You are expected to follow it to the best of your ability, remembering at all times to thank God you are an Englishman!

SCALES

The game pieces used in SvP are multi-figure stands rather than single castings, and all combat procedures are expressed in terms of stands. SvP can be played at a number of different levels from the Brigade Action in which each stand might represent a company, a troop or a single gun, to the Omdurman - type battle in which a stand might serve as a half-battalion. The ground scale will vary accordingly. The umpire will apprise you of the scales appropriate to the game in question.

THE FORCES

The Imperial forces are distinguished in two ways. Firstly they are defined by the quality of their discipline;

1 Good Drill: Confident, highly trained regulars, including all British troops, and the better Indian units - Sikhs, Bengal Lancers etc.

2 Fair Drill: Competent but less polished units, Indian line units, the reformed Egyptian Army, and the best troops of the early period Egyptian forces.

3 Poor Drill: Ill trained, low morale types - Bashi Bazouks, Bakers Gendarmerie, and most of the old Egyptian army in the Sudan.

In addition, troops are classed according to their character. The Victorians were believers in strong racial elements in human behaviour and

although a modern observer might see the matter in rather different terms, there is no doubt that units did conform to certain traditional cultural expectations. Thus we can say that English, Egyptian and most Indian troops had Cool-blooded characteristics - stolidity and calmness - while Scots Highlanders, Sikhs, Sudanese and all cavalry tended towards impetuous dash; thus a British infantry battalion is defined as Good drill/Cool-blooded while a Sudanese unit of 1898 would be Fair drill/Hot-blooded. One might ask whether patently bad troops such as the Gendarmerie count as Hot or Cool-blooded; their miserable drill status is likely to ensure a shambling, cowardly performance however you choose to characterise them. Perhaps I'm being unfair...

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

---the news that Bendigo had won the Lincolnshire handicap was heliographed to the zareba, while the convoy was engaged with the enemy---

Captain E.A. De Cosson, 1885

The turn sequence is as follows:

1 Intention: Players tell the umpire their immediate plans for the situation at hand.

2 Time allowance: The umpire decides how long the current turn will represent - anything from a minute to several hours.

3 First Dervish move: The Mahdists move half the distance they could cover in the time allotted. Regulars take any Dervishes within 300 yards reaction tests.

4 Imperial move: The regular forces move their whole allotted distance.

5 Dervish fire: Any and all Mahdist fire, any Imperial reaction tests.

6 Imperial fire: All regular fire takes place.

7 Dervish reaction and second move: Units test and move remainder of their turn, according to the dictates of the test result.

8 Melee and post-melee movement: Any close combats resulting from the movement phase are resolved, (Note that melees will add extra time to the move) and any compulsory moves resulting from the melee are made.

9 Rallies: Imperial forces attempt to reform disordered and demoralised units.

The players may seek to interrupt this sequence, at any time the umpire chooses to allow, with one or more Emergency responses, doubtless attempting to save their worthless hides...

DERVISH MOVEMENT

With that instinctive knowledge of war which is the heritage of savage peoples, the whole attack swung to the right, changed direction from north to east, and rushed down the trough and along the southern ridge towards the Nile ---

W.S. Churchill

The rocks, piled up in detached masses around us, gave countless hiding places, in and out of which the Arabs kept moving, like rabbits in cover.

Colonel William Butler, 1885

Dervish movement is determined by the Dervish reaction test, and is divided into two parts, one half of the permitted move before Imperial movement and all firing, and the remainder afterwards.

The exact rates of movement of the Mahdist forces are not known by the Imperial player. Winston Churchill estimated that the host at Omdurman moved at about 7 miles per hour. One may assume that the foot warriors may move around 100 yards per minute at a walk, and perhaps twice that at a run. The horsemen move at the same speeds, one would expect, as their Imperial counterparts, while what artillery the Mahdists posses is likely to be slowly dragged into action.

IMPERIAL MOVEMENT

--- our scouts rather late getting in square, should have gone round to rear but forced their way in the front face, nearly humbugged the whole arrangement.

Corporal F.H. Middleton at Abu Klea

Unlike their adversaries, the Imperial forces move only once during the turn.

Movement rate in yards per minute:

TypeMarchTrotGallop/Double

Infantry Columns75-100

Infantry Lines50-75

Infantry Squares25-50*

Infantry Skirmishers100-125

Cavalry100200250

Cavalry Patrols100200300

Mtd Officers & Couriers150300400

Camel Corps75150-

Mountain Guns75125Action Move

Horse Drawn Artillery75125Action Move

Pack Animals &

Heavy Guns4075*-

* Automatic disorder

Rough ground

One may expect that in thick scrub, rocky ground, water-courses etc. troops will move more slowly and perhaps with a degree of disorder. The umpire will inform the player of these effects. One may assume that open order troops, mountain guns and the like will have few problems, and that squares, horse drawn guns and transport animals will have the most.

Squares may choose to move at line speed in open country at the risk of falling into disorder and gaps forming.

Contact with the enemy: Imperial forces initiate melee by means of a deliberate charge, either on a players command or in consequence of an excited result on a reaction test. To begin a charge, take a reaction test and score a follow orders or the aforementioned excited result. Formation changes: Changes of formation are conducted at march speed, and the time required for a manoeuvre thus depends on the time it takes for all participating stands to move to their allotted position. Complex movements and changes involving more than one unit may be delayed at umpire's discretion. Troops are disordered during the manoeuvre.

Changes of face / lying down / standing up, are free.

Mounting / dismounting horses / limbering and unlimbering, 1 minute.

Mounting / dismounting camels / assembling mountain guns etc. takes 2 minutes.

FIRING

--- it seemed just as if we were on a field day at Aldershot, everyone cool, talking, and when not firing having a smoke, and the officers had to tell them to lie down because they would stand or kneel to see what was going on ---

Colour Sgt. Edward Fraley, Rifle Brigade at Omdurman

Point BlankCloseMediumLong [Ranges, in Yards]

Modern Rifle1003007001400 (Lee-Metford 2000)

Carbine /

Old Rifles1002505001000

Mounted Carbine-100200400

Thrown Spears--50100

Modern Artillery

1003001200Various: 7pdr-3000

Heavier guns, 4-6000

Smoothbore Artillery-1003001000

Machine Guns1003007001000

Procedure: Roll a D6 for each stand firing (1-3 dice for artillery depending on the number of guns represented by the stand); scores to get a Hit (H) are:

Point blank: 3,4 = H5,6 = 2H

Close:4,5 = H 6 = 2H

Medium:5,6 = H

Long: 6 = H

Modifiers:

Firers moving -l

Firers in 2nd rank -l

Each disorder marker -l

Once the number of Hits has been found, the umpire will roll again on a table which considers the effect of cover, target formation, status of firers and other factors. This will convert the Hits which are only potential casualties, into actual results. It is possible that the total of Kills scored will be far less than Hits rolled. Don't worry about this, it will do you no good, but instead consider that the enemy's shooting is sure to be far worse than ever your own is!

AMMUNITION EXPENDITURE

Ammunition is considered in terms of minutes of fire. Assuming that the weapons of the late Victorian era could fire at 5-10 rounds per minute at a rapid fire rate (actually faster rates were technically possible but not recommended in tactical manuals), we can suggest that infantry, cavalry and machine gun crews would have about 10 minutes worth of fire carried with them, and perhaps 20 minutes for artillery; more would be available in reserve. The player does not have to expend ammunition at such a rapid speed, although Excited troops will do it for him. In a given turn of five or ten minutes the player could, if he wished, fire rapidly throughout, rolling for hits 5 or 10 times for each stand. The cautious approach might be to expend only one or .two minutes fire (roll once or twice per stand) as closely controlled volleys, thus conserving ammunition for a critical moment later on.

MACHINE GUNS

As I fired I saw the enemy mowed down in rows, dropping like ninepins.

Lord Charles Beresford, 1885

SvP considers two categories of machine gun, the early models used in the first years of the Mahdis rebellion - the Gatling, Gardner and Nordenfelt guns, and the more effective Maxim of the 1890s. When a machine gun engages in fire, a roll of 1 means not only that no hits are scored, but also that the damned thing has jammed; roll a D6:

score 1; Our gallant crew clear the jam in time to fight next minute.

score 2, 3, 4; Jam cleared in next minute, fire the minute after.

score 5, 6; Jam cleared in two minutes, fire the minute after that.

Note: Deduct 1 from the roll if the firing gun is a Maxim.

IMPERIAL REACTION

As for the 17th Bengal Native infantry, they could not face the music, the terrific scream which burst upon the air at the moment of attack --- and they broke and fled --- a hideous chaos of demoralised men, shouting and firing in the air.

Wentworth Huyshe, The Times

The miserable Egyptian soldiers refused even to defend themselves, but throwing away their rifles, flung themselves on the ground and grovelled there, screaming for mercy.

John Cameron, The Standard

The umpire will inform the player when he considers a test of the Imperial forces reaction to a given situation is necessary. This test consists of one or sometimes two rolls of a single D6, modified by a number of factors. Of these one might suggest that better quality troops, good cover and a beaten foe would be positive contributions to good morale, and that heavy losses and bad discipline would not be helpful. The umpire will inform the player of the perceived Reaction Stage of his command, together with any obligatory actions they may be compelled to make. The four reaction stages are as follows:

Calm: Obedient to orders, cool in combat and kept well in hand.

Excited: Aggressively impetuous, will fire as fast as possible if shooting, will otherwise attack nearest enemy with cold steel and pursue wildly.

Nervous: Dispirited, will make no forward movement until rallied, firing and fighting poorly.

Panicked: Flee in abject terror and confusion, no effective fire and only the barest attempts at self-defence.

MELEE

The Gatling gun redoubt had been rushed by the enemy, all our poor fellows near it slain, and the Berkshire working parties --- were fighting hard, bayonet and bullet v. spear and sword.

Wentworth Huyshe, The Times

Melee takes place in four steps, as follows:

1) Defensive fire: As the attacking force closes to contact, the defender may fire at point blank range for one minute if they do not counter-charge. In theory this fire would have taken place during the previous turn as rapid fire, in effect allowing two minutes fire in one mad minute.

Casualties from this fire are removed as usual, and their number noted. The remainder of the charging unit is then placed in contact with the defender, with the following exception. Any defending stand that rolls a 6 not only scores 2 Hits, but is considered to have put forth such a volume of fire that no enemy stand will dare to make contact with it. Instead, the charging unit will divert its efforts to less dangerous adversaries; the gallant defender does not, therefore join with its fellow stands in resisting the foe with bayonets / rifle butts / fists this turn, but may fire and move on the appropriate phases as required. It is thus possible, especially if the defenders are formed two stands deep, that the entire enemy force may be prevented from contact by virtue of a handfull of sixes; the charging mob is brought to a stand-still perhaps 20 or 30 yards short of its target, and must expect to receive yet more fire before it can make another attempt to close.

2) Attacking stands that survive defensive fire are placed in contact, one to one, with the defender; remaining stands may be placed to achieve local 2 to 1 odds, but only one rank may fight, and in general extra ranks will follow at the rear, to fill gaps and perhaps swarm round a flank.

Once opposing stands are paired off, roll a D6 for each; where 2 stands fight 1, roll once as a 1-1 against one of the enemy stands, counting the result as per usual. Then roll again against the second stand as a parry; if they lose, they lose, but if they win there is no effect.

N.B. The Umpire has an alternative way of handling 2-1 odds which he may prefer to use. Hell tell you.

Compare the rolls, plus or minus relevant modifiers. If one exceeds the other by 2 points, the loser is disordered and thrown back 25 yards. If one exceeds the other by 3 points, the loser is eliminated.

Combat odds

You may assume that close order troops have an advantage over skirmishers, that cavalry is most successful in pursuit or against a shaken foe, and that gunners, mounted infantry and camel troopers ought to guard against attack carefully. The umpire will inform you of the odds for or against your troops only as the melee commences.

3) Any stand that eliminates its opponent may advance through the gap thus created, and immediately engage the first enemy unit in direct line ahead and within 150 yards in a melee, which will be resolved at this point. If this unit is eliminated, the attacking stand will halt anyway, but may move again on its appropriate movement phase. This process of bursting through an enemy line is known as a Breakthrough. Any stand that does this is assumed to be elated at its own success, and will disregard any reaction result that applies to the remainder of its parent unit, fighting on until itself disposed of ...

4) Once all individual combats have been resolved in a given melee, the overall result is found. Total the following for each side:

Each enemy stand eliminated in hand-to-hand action; 2 points

Each enemy stand eliminated by defensive fire;

1 point

Each enemy stand disordered and thrown back; 1 point

Each Breakthrough by a victorious stand;

1 point

At this point the umpire will inform the players of the precise consequences of the close combat, revealing not only what the participants do now, but how they feel about the whole affair. This runs the gamut from Calm, for cool Anglo-Saxon gentlemen easily seeing off a savage host, to the PANIC result that is likely to precede complete disaster in the next few minutes.

PERSONAL COMBAT

--- our Colonel was on his knee firing buckshot from a double breech-loader during the battle. He has got the V.C. already, and I expect to see his name prominently over this affair.

Corporal Frederick Bennett, R.E., at Tofrek

Characters may engage in personal combat when their figure is present with a stand that becomes involved in melee. There are two ways of doing this:

1) Umpire simply tells the player what is happening, and asks for his response. Dice for results of combat. Continue action until character is victorious, deceased, or gallantly rescued.

2) Umpire portrays the action with model figures, possibly of a larger scale than those nomally used. I prefer 54mm replicas of old fashioned Britains toys of pre-WWI vintage for this phase, playing on an unused corner of the board.

PROCEDURE: The character engages D6 enemies, who obligingly attack one-by-one. The character may opt to -

A) Shoot. A revolver has six individual shots (l D6 each), a shotgun, 2 barrels (4 dice per barrel). 4,5 = wound, 6 = killed. Hits are divided equally between opponents, incredibly enough. Shooting modifiers: Good shot +1, Poor shot or Poor eyesight -1.

B) Fight. Our heroic characters can wield a sword in one hand and a pistol in t'other, though fellows using shotguns must either swing them like a club (-l compared to sword) or count -2 for a round of combat while drawing the arme blanche. Roll a D6 each for the character and his foe:

Character wins by 1 point:enemy falls back, may engage again.

by 2 points:enemy wounded, falls aside defeated.

by 3 points:enemy killed.Mahdist wins by 1 point:character disarmed/ horse killed; -2 next turn

by 2 points:character slightly wounded, -l henceforth.

by 3 points.character wounded, -2 from now on.

by 4 points:character killed - end of innings, old bean!

C) Modifiers: mounted vs foot/charging into combat/ up to 2 characteristics acceptable to the umpire (eg Good swordsman, agile, huge, etc) +l Mahdists get no bonuses. After all, they arent British yknow ---

D) Run Away! But that would hardly do, would it?

E) Rescue another gallant Briton. Subject of rescue bid may be another character or an NPC invented for the purpose of displaying proper heroism. If the character kills 1 or wounds 2 of the enemy, they will flee abjectly, leaving our man to carry off his comrade with the help of 1-3 admiring other ranks.

F) Be rescued himself, either by a character or some suitable NPC - a devoted orderly perhaps, or a grinning one-eyed Sudanese corporal---

Umpire may add extra features as needed - I like the occasional thrown spear appearing at random moments, hits for a 6. The general object of Personal Combat is to show gallantry in the face of the enemy, win medals and impress War Correspondents. Thus, the umpire will note that the rules are heavily biased in favour of the character. However, sometimes they will get themselves killed anyway ---

DISORDER

All was confusion for a few seconds, men tumbling over one another, almost fighting for their arms.

Corporal Fred Warde Bennett, RE, at Tofrek

The Imperial forces suffer disorder whenever:

1) They suffer a D or 2D result from fire. This represents a few casualties, a number of men aiding the wounded and a general loss of cohesion. Ds are divided among the stands in the target unit. Thus a unit under heavy fire might accumulate several Ds per stand, but note that a stand that has 4 Ds on it at any time - from whatever cause - is eliminated.

2) They pass over rough ground, picking up a D - or 2 Ds for extreme terrain. These Ds affect each and every stand involved.

3) Another Imperial unit routs through, or otherwise becomes entangled in their formation. Early Egyptians do this all the time.

4) They complete a melee.

5) Troops who have become Excited fall into immediate disorder (1 D per stand) if they fail a roll of 1D6:

6) Good Drill - disorder on 1,2; Fair Drill on 1-3, Poor Drill on 1-4

7) Troops who have become Nervous may fall into disorder the same way:

Good Drill - disorder on 1-3; Fair Drill on 1-4, Poor Drill on 1-5

Units remain disordered until rallied. Some units, of course, never actually achieve this ---

RALLIES

I thought it was going to be another Hicks Pasha affair, but General Graham came riding right up to the front of the square and got about 200 around him, and then the other regiment came rushing up, and were prepared to do or die.

Private James Hope, Black Watch, at Tamai

The last phase of any turn is Rallies.

No matter how long the turn represents, roll a D6 for each stand that has a D marker, or is at a reaction stage other than Calm. The only exceptions to this are charging units, or routing / escaping units whose pursuers are still within 300 yards. These people are obviously too busy to attempt to rally!

Roll a D6. The umpire will inform you of the results. You may assume that good troops will respond better than poor, and that the presence of senior officers will assist in reforming the men.

VISIBILITY AND CONCEALMENT

When daylight made things plain, we saw as far as sight reached, the great plain covered with white jebba-clad dervishes, banners flying and drums beating - a splendid sight!

Sgt. Tom Christian, Seaforths, at Omdurman

In daylight:

Enemy consists ofRecognisedSeenDust if enemy is moving

Scouts in the open100030005000

Scouts in partial cover40010003000

Formed bodies in the open2000700012000

Formed bodies, partial cover100020006000

Dust clouds will be as follows: thick cloud means infantry, high, thin clouds mean cavalry, broken clouds indicate artillery or transport. Can you tell cavalry from herds of goats?

Gunfire can be heard at 7000 yards, troops on the move at about 2000.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

At this moment Captain Wilson sprang to the front and engaged in combat with five or six of the enemy, in the course of which he broke his sword at the hilt - it had probably been made in Germany - over the head of one of them.

Charles Lowe, Battles of the Nineteenth Century

Apart from performing acts of conspicuous gallantry like that of Captain Knyvet Wilson of HMS Hecla, the duties of our players are as follows:

In one minute a character can do one of the following:

1) Roll again in melee for a stand he accompanies, bearing in mind that a second roll may be worse than the first.

2) Issue verbal orders to a unit of up to 10 stands.

3) Issue a written order to a messenger for despatch; lengthy orders will obviously take longer, at umpires discretion.

4) Direct (+l to die roll) an Emergency response.

5) Add 1 to Rallies test for any stand within 50 yards. In addition, characters are at all times expected to conduct themselves like gentlemen.

EMERGENCY RESPONSES

...the rear rank faced about...shooting them down in scores.

Lt Count Gleichen at Abu Klea

The Emergency Response is a device by which players may seek, at some risk, to overturn the normal sequence of the turn to permit some - hopefully advantageous - action at a point in the turn other than is usual, or to attempt some activity a little more rapid or heroic than is generally the case. The procedure is as follows:

1) The player informs the umpire of what it is he wishes to attempt, and which stands will participate. There is no limit to the number of stands beyond the discretion of the umpire. The player may roll for 1, 3 or 23 stands simultaneously (all stands abiding by the result), or hedge his bets by rolling for single stands.

2) The umpire will say whether he will permit the chosen maneouvre, and state any special penalties involved in failure. Permitted Emergency responses include:

A. Withdrawal of units in danger of being overrun before the first Dervish movement phase.

B. Local cold steel charges to pin the enemy in melee before they endanger the safety of the force, eg. to deal with a Breakthrough.

C. Firing for a minute at a time other than Imperial fire.

D. Withdrawal from a melee by choice rather than necessity.

E. Extra actions, such as mounting and escaping or turn 180o and charge, when only one would usually be permitted.

F. Any other action that the player asks for that the umpire thinks feasible.

Sometimes the player may wish to make an action as a normal part of the turn which the umpire may consider sufficiently awkward or complicated to require it being done by emergency response.

Procedure: 1 Roll a D6. The umpire will inform you of the consequences. You may assume that Calm, well drilled troops are more likely to respond favourably than Nervous, disordered soldiers. The presence of senior officers will expedite matters. Units with more than 5 minutes to undertake their task are assumed to get it right without major disorder or catastrophe.

ENDING THE GAME:

Generous, indeed, is the man who will share his store of ice and soda water with the stranger in the desert.

Captain E.A. De Cosson, 1885

There are no formal victory conditions in SvP. Except in the case of an overwhelming Mahdist victory, the Imperial forces are likely to control the field at the end of an action, and to have inflicted massive losses on their enemy. This does not mean they have necessarily won, and they may indeed have suffered a major defeat in terms of their stated objectives. The losses of the Desert column at Abu Klea and Abu Kru did much to destroy its effectiveness

as a military formation. At the end of an SvP game - usually denoted by the destruction or withdrawal of one or the other side - a few minutes for de-briefing should be found. The umpire will give his assessment of how he views the action just completed, and on the conduct of the players.

Judgement should be made not only on the grounds of pure military efficiency, but in terms of prestige and moral ascendancy. A player who loses a major part of his command - especially if they are British regulars - will need a very good excuse. Mere annihilation of the foe, while it may be the essential key to persuading the Mahdists to desist in their rebellious activities, will not suffice if the cost in expensive Queen's regiments is even modestly high. Risks that are rewarded by success are daring, textbook operation, conducted with skill to achieve a complete triumph at minimal loss to ones own force may be less so, but it represents by no means a simple task.

Aside from the technical considerations of military command, the umpire should examine the personal aspects of leadership. Physical example and courage were key issues in the Small Wars of the Victorian era, and an officer who remained in the rear would be unlikely to be highly regarded. In circumstances of extreme heroism the umpire may award the Victoria Cross to a particularly brave model soldier.

A final consideration is the matter of ethics. While the Sudan wars, in common with Imperialist campaigns from ancient times to the present day, featured a distinct element of barbaric behaviour on both sides, a code of honour governed the actions of the British officer. Treachery would not be acceptable in any form. The civilian populace should not be harmed. The treatment of the Dervish wounded after Omdurman, and the desecration of the Mahdis tomb brought a great deal of opprobrium upon Kitchener, and players who behave as if they are leading central American death squads should be suitably cautioned as to their future prospects as Soldiers of the Queen.

The umpire will thus assess the performance of the players as a group and as individual officers. They may in turn comment on their own and on their comrades performances, or the complete unreasonableness of both their given objectives and the umpires judgements throughout the game.

BASIC CAMPAIGN INFORMATION

"--- We left Assouan on 3rd March, took boats till we got to a cataract, then marched, or rode on camels (in kilts) for 14 or 16 miles at night, falling over rocks and down ditches, half asleep."

Sgt Tom Christian, Seaforths, 1898

Times of sunrise & sunset at 20oN (just south of Wadi Halfa)

Average Temperatures

at Assouan, U. Egypt

DawnDuskHighLow

JAN6.45 AM5.15 PMJan7551

FEB6.355.45Feb7957

MAR6.206.00Mar8857

APR6.006.15Apr9765

MAY5.306.00May10373

JUNE5.156.45Jun10877

JULY5.156.45Jul10778

AUG5.306.30Aug10680

SEPT5.456.15Sep10374

OCT6.006.00Oct9971

NOV6.155.30Nov8861

DEC6.305.15Dec7849

Field Engineering - per stand of 100 men

TYPECOMPLETEDTIME

shelter trench100ydslhr

full trench100yds2hrs

zariba /abatis100yds2hrs

gun pit12yds per gun2hr

clearing bush1500 sq ydslhr

wire entanglements400 sq yds1hr

Lengths of Columns on the March

Infantry battalion350 yds

Cavalry Squadron in fours60 yds

Cavalry Squadron in sections120 yds

Battery of Field Guns150 yds

Artillery Battery with ammunition wagons, etc.300 yds

Mountain Battery of 6 guns (mule or camel borne)440 yds

Pack Camels (4 abreast)1yd per camel

Engineer Company150 yds

(Cavalry 'in fours' are 8 abreast, 'in sections', 4 abreast.)

Movement rate in yards per minute:

Troop TypeMarch Trot Charge

Infantry columns75--

Infantry lines50-75

Infantry squares25-50*

Infantry open order75-100

Cavalry100175225

Camel corps75150

Horse drawn artillery75125

(action move)

pack animals+ heavy guns4075

*Automatic disorder

Movement (In Miles)Per DayPer Hour

Troop Type(Ideal Conditions)

Infantry, light order202.5

Infantry & heavy baggage142

Cavalry & horse guns303.5

Camel corps243

Mahdist main force364

Mahdist light force546

Weapon TypeRanges in Yards

Modern rifle100300

7001400

(Lee-Metford 2000)

Carbine/'old' rifles100250

5001000

Mounted carbine-100

200400

Thrown spears--

50100

Modern artillery

7pdr:

Heavier guns:100

100300

300

1200

12003000

4-6000

Smoothbore artillery-100

3001000

Machine guns100300

7001000

Point blank:

3,4 = H

5,6 = 2HClose:

4,5 = H

6 = 2HMedium:

5,6 = HLong:

6 = H

preliminary arrangements for a retreat. This must be done most quietly --- the first thing is to get away the baggage, sick, wounded and reserve supplies &c. They should be despatched at once to the rear ---

WOLSELEY

THE SQUARE

The object of a close square where the infantry stand shoulder to shoulder is to receive the assault of an enemy (such as the Zulus and the Soudanese) who rely on a hand to hand fight. The march in such squares presents great difficulties, partly because the space within is too limited to receive the huge number of carts and baggage animals that accompany such a body of troops, and partly because the movements of a square on ground which is uneven or covered with vegetaion must be accompanied by some disorder, or disarrangement. The endeavour is made to