Turn 9 started with more Mahdists arriving on table.
Then two groups of Mahdists charged the Desert column.
A group charging closest to the Naval Machine guns was hit by the Egyptian artillery.
Still they charged forward!
The Naval Infantry gave them a volley and when machine guns could see the whites of their eyes they opened fire!
They managed 18 rounds between them and then both jammed!
The Mahdists hit!
The other group took very few casualties as they lined up against the the Bombay Infantry.
But at the last minute they unleash a ferocious volley.
This was followed up with cold steel and the Mahdists were routed.
At the same time the Mahdist moral against the machine guns also failed and they also withdrew!
All seemed in control for the River column.
The Mahdists were only shadowing the column.
Then on move 10 out of the haze a horde of mounted Dervishes came Charging towards
them.
The screw guns fired with devastating effect. Long range volleys had little effect.
Onward they came, thinned to only a quarter of there number.
Still the column wasn’t worried, the Berkshire Battalion and the screw guns fired at close range.
BOTH MISSED!
The Dervish cavalry and Camels hit home.
A brief melee with only light casualties resulted with the Dervishes being outnumbered and routed.
As Darkness fell the field hospitals were busy patch up the wounded.
Another day survived, but still an all out attack had not come!
Well done chaps. Clean the guns and be ready for the morrow.
Maj I M A Ardmann.
1st Egyptian Battalion.
Before my posting to the desert I recall meeting a chap who was promoting his latest weapons for sale. He claimed that his “machine guns” were considerably more reliable than the ones our forces had been buying. I think his name was…. Ah I have it, (as Gilbert and Sullivan said) Hiram Maxim. I have contact details for his representative in Cairo and I understand that next day delivery is promised by balloon on receipt of an order by carrier pigeon. I understand that deliveries are often easy by river transport as well which is why the company is named after the (AmXXXX) Nile. I am prepared to stump up a contribution if it will help our gallant soldiers. I am at a loss to understand why the Army is so underfunded at present. I intend to take it up with that reporter chappy who has influence, Winston somebody or other.
Have a good nights barbecue chaps.
Lt. Col Tweedie.