Battle Report: 10th October 1992 Mahdist  ~vs~  Late British (Robert Avery ~vs~ Nog Norgren)

.

Mahdist Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points    CinC 1           Infantry Unit A 36 1x36 FanA sw/sp,sh        Unit B 18 1x18 IrregB sw/sp sh,blr       Unit C 18 1x18 IrregB sw/sp,sh,blr         Unit D 32 1x32 IrregC sw/sp,sh,½mlr        Unit E 32 1x32 IrregC sw/sp,sh,½mlr        Unit F 32 1x32 IrregC sw/sp,sh,½mlr      Cavalry Unit G 10 1x10 FanB sw,sp.l.mlr      Unit H 10 1x10 FanB sw,sp.l.mlr        Unit I 10 1x10 FanB sw,sp.l.mlr      Artillery Unit J 3 1x3 IrregB medium mlrb FA                    1998

.

Late British Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points CinC 1     Foot 24th Foot 40 8x5 LightsB blr   Highlanders 40 8x5 RegB blr   Cavalry 17th Lancers 16 4x4 RegA s,blc,p,l   Artillery 1st Battery 3 3x1 RegB light blrb FA     2nd Battery 1 1x1 RegB hmg                    1987

.

. Mahdist Late British Foot 3360 1600 Horse 600 320 Guns 6 8

Report The Mahdists advanced cautiously against a British force which was still largely in column. The British snapped their artillery into position and, with precision counter-battery fire, wiped out the Mahdist guns in the first 15 minutes of battle! Realising that to continue with their current tactics would render them vulnerable to a slow death by artillery, the Mahdists charged forward with everything they had: all at the right side of the British line. Although they managed to see off the British skirmish line, they were unable to break the British square and, with most of their force shaken or routed, and beginning to come under fire from the British guns, they retreated. Casualties The Mahdists lost a total of 750 tribesmen. The British lost 38 men. Results A victory to the British. Analysis The Mahdists made a mistake in advancing cautiously, so giving the British time to use their artillery.