As Camels crossed the Wadi the boats steamed to safety and the Desert Column marched alongside.
The next move the drums fell silent and the huge body of Mahdists charged.
The 19th Hussars charged Some Mahdist horsemen to the rear of The square.
At the same time the huge body of Mahdists split. Half charged the square and half the Camel Regiment.
The column fired furiously at the enemy but still they came on!
The Guards camel Regiment fired into the Wadi. There first volley was rather poor!
The second was devastating, but still the Mahdists hit.
The Cameron’s in the square put in reasonable volleys as the enemy closed.
But the closing volley was terrible (missed). This meant when the Mahdists hit home they had the advantage.
Both melees were bloody affairs.
The Camel Regiment won and the Mahdists withdrew!
The Cameron’s took massive casualties and the square was broken in two places.
The Mahdists poured in and the square broke in a desperate melee.
The Berkshires held a line just long enough for casualties to escape across the Wadi. The fighting was desperate and the columns officers encouraged General Stephenson to save himself.
The 19th Hussars beat the Mahdist horsemen and drove them off.
But then a large body of warriors appeared!
It is with mixed feelings that at the same time as I report the success of the Desert Column and Flotilla picking up civilians along the Nile, I must also make you aware of the misfortune that overtook the River Column.
As we completed our mission we watched aghast, unable to help, as the River Column was overwhelmed by Mahdist forces. Whilst some of the Camel Corps and Lt Gen’ Frederick Stephenson managed to escape, the rest of the column was wiped out – it looks like the Cameron’s, Berkshires and Egyptians were killed to a man, from where we stood it looks as though precious few have survived. However they made a stiff fight of it and killed many before they were finally overwhelmed. Her Majesties honour is maintained.
As he survived, and because we were watching at distance through telescopes I will allow Lt Gen’ Frederick Stephenson to make a fuller report when he has recovered his composure. It is understandable that he is weak and shaken, as an honourable man he feels the losses deeply. It is completely unfair to Frederik to criticise him for making his escape and those who suggest that he should have gone down fighting with his men (as the late General Gordon did) are surely wrong for Fredrick is, as I mentioned above, an honourable man. I have little doubt we will be able to find a suitable place for him to serve in the future, I hear the command of the Chelsea Hospital is coming vacant.
As for my own column I would like to put the following on record.
28th Battalion Bombay Infantry: Lt Col’ F.C Singleton led his men in an exemplary fashion. The Bombay Infantry acquitted themselves with conspicuous gallantry; Private Sunil Gupta, Lieutenant Depak Mitstry and Captain Mahatma Anscarf deserve particular praise.
1st Battalion Black Watch: Lt Col’ W.Green: Took the lead position in our marching square formation in the later part of our march and provided invaluable support to the Marines. These are my medal recommendations Lt. Col. Green may have more.
• Private Jock Strap – for holding up under the pressure of several Dervish attacks
• Lieutenant Angus McCoatup – for setting about the enemy with his fists having run out of ammunition
• Captain Jack Daniels – for always cheering up the men
1st Battalion West Kent: Lt Col’ J.L. Tweedie: along with the Marines this unit bore the brunt of the fighting early on but were always resilient and ready to counterattack with vigour. Lt. Colonel Tweedie will soon forward on his nominations, there are so many.
Tweedie was kind enough to provide hospitality on numerous occasions, as a result one of the less serious highlights of our march was shared with me. The service of Private Jones whose skill with the bayonet has become something of a column legend “they don’t like it up em” is now a catchphrase. But the bayonet use as a kebab stick with sausages provided by Private Walker was a revelation and made a great change from the usual Camel steaks. Commissionaires take note, we can adopt this practice when field kitchens are unable to be provided, you see gentlemen even as firepower increases there is a point to the bayonet.
Royal Marine Light Infantry: Lt Col’ N.F.Way: The marines were in the thick of the fighting and provided invaluable support to the column even if they have a somewhat eccentric interpretation of following orders. In the light of the results I am willing to put this down to the different traditions of the Army and Navy. I must say that the Gattling Guns proved their worth although prone to jamming. Lt Col Way is making his nomination via the Admiralty – I will endorse them.
9th Bengal Cavalry: Colonel Palmers Cavalry was a major factor in our success providing cover for both our rear and forward positions, fighting of several large attacks.
• From the rear squadrons – Brevet Major Ivor Spearman was conspicuous in the fighting waving his men on vigerously
• At the front were are indebted to the aplomb of Captain H. Rider who being wounded saving some of his men, is looking a little haggard but making a full recovery.
• Whilst on this subject I must also mention the nurse Ayisha who insists that he obeys her instructions during his recovery
Egyptian Artillery Battery – acquitted itself with honour
River Steamers: Capt’ Reginald Barrington-Smythe: I would like to thank this gentleman for helping our wounded and providing covering fire, I am sure staying within range of their guns contributed to our success.
So there you have it my Lords, triumph and tragedy all wrapped up together
C in C Desert Column: Maj’ Gen’ Grenfell
The Ice Cold Bar
Alexandria.
To the CinC, Desert Forces, from Havergast Bombast Apoplexy, Candonobetter, Australia.
My Dear General, appalling, simply appalling to read that British force of arms was dealt such an abject blow by the fuzzy wuzzy rabble in the desert. I was so shocked as I absorbed events via the medium of my much rumpled copy of the local electronic news that I almost spilled tea on my crumpets! Surely, Sir, ‘honour’ demands an immediate resumption of hostilities and a return to the field by Maj Gen Grenfell and his men. This matter cannot be left to stand as is … Grenfell must be made to understand that, as a consequence of publication on this blog of matters as they unfolded, the public is now crying out for more! Please, set to it man.
Brian Fish
It is with mixed feelings that at the same time as I report the success of the Desert Column and Flotilla picking up civilians along the Nile, I must also make you aware of the misfortune that overtook the River Column.
As we completed our mission we watched aghast, unable to help, as the River Column was overwhelmed by Mahdist forces. Whilst some of the Camel Corps and Lt Gen’ Frederick Stephenson managed to escape, the rest of the column was wiped out – it looks like the Cameron’s, Berkshires and Egyptians were killed to a man, from where we stood it looks as though precious few have survived. However they made a stiff fight of it and killed many before they were finally overwhelmed. Her Majesties honour is maintained.
As he survived, and because we were watching at distance through telescopes I will allow Lt Gen’ Frederick Stephenson to make a fuller report when he has recovered his composure. It is understandable that he is weak and shaken, as an honourable man he feels the losses deeply. It is completely unfair to Frederik to criticise him for making his escape and those who suggest that he should have gone down fighting with his men (as the late General Gordon did) are surely wrong for Fredrick is, as I mentioned above, an honourable man. I have little doubt we will be able to find a suitable place for him to serve in the future, I hear the command of the Chelsea Hospital is coming vacant.
As for my own column I would like to put the following on record.
28th Battalion Bombay Infantry: Lt Col’ F.C Singleton led his men in an exemplary fashion. The Bombay Infantry acquitted themselves with conspicuous gallantry; Private Sunil Gupta, Lieutenant Depak Mitstry and Captain Mahatma Anscarf deserve particular praise.
1st Battalion Black Watch: Lt Col’ W.Green: Took the lead position in our marching square formation in the later part of our march and provided invaluable support to the Marines. These are my medal recommendations Lt. Col. Green may have more.
• Private Jock Strap – for holding up under the pressure of several Dervish attacks
• Lieutenant Angus McCoatup – for setting about the enemy with his fists having run out of ammunition
• Captain Jack Daniels – for always cheering up the men
1st Battalion West Kent: Lt Col’ J.L. Tweedie: along with the Marines this unit bore the brunt of the fighting early on but were always resilient and ready to counterattack with vigour. Lt. Colonel Tweedie will soon forward on his nominations, there are so many.
Tweedie was kind enough to provide hospitality on numerous occasions, as a result one of the less serious highlights of our march was shared with me. The service of Private Jones whose skill with the bayonet has become something of a column legend “they don’t like it up em” is now a catchphrase. But the bayonet use as a kebab stick with sausages provided by Private Walker was a revelation and made a great change from the usual Camel steaks. Commissionaires take note, we can adopt this practice when field kitchens are unable to be provided, you see gentlemen even as firepower increases there is a point to the bayonet.
Royal Marine Light Infantry: Lt Col’ N.F.Way: The marines were in the thick of the fighting and provided invaluable support to the column even if they have a somewhat eccentric interpretation of following orders. In the light of the results I am willing to put this down to the different traditions of the Army and Navy. I must say that the Gattling Guns proved their worth although prone to jamming. Lt Col Way is making his nomination via the Admiralty – I will endorse them.
9th Bengal Cavalry: Colonel Palmers Cavalry was a major factor in our success providing cover for both our rear and forward positions, fighting of several large attacks.
• From the rear squadrons – Brevet Major Ivor Spearman was conspicuous in the fighting waving his men on vigerously
• At the front were are indebted to the aplomb of Captain H. Rider who being wounded saving some of his men, is looking a little haggard but making a full recovery.
• Whilst on this subject I must also mention the nurse Ayisha who insists that he obeys her instructions during his recovery
Egyptian Artillery Battery – acquitted itself with honour
River Steamers: Capt’ Reginald Barrington-Smythe: I would like to thank this gentleman for helping our wounded and providing covering fire, I am sure staying within range of their guns contributed to our success.
So there you have it my Lords, triumph and tragedy all wrapped up together
C in C Desert Column: Maj’ Gen’ Grenfell
The Ice Cold Bar
Alexandria.
Pete Rixon aka HBA
To the CinC, Desert Forces, from Havergast Bombast Apoplexy, Candonobetter, Australia.
My Dear General, appalling, simply appalling to read that British force of arms was dealt such an abject blow by the fuzzy wuzzy rabble in the desert. I was so shocked as I absorbed events via the medium of my much rumpled copy of the local electronic news that I almost spilled tea on my crumpets! Surely, Sir, ‘honour’ demands an immediate resumption of hostilities and a return to the field by Maj Gen Grenfell and his men. This matter cannot be left to stand as is … Grenfell must be made to understand that, as a consequence of publication on this blog of matters as they unfolded, the public is now crying out for more! Please, set to it man.
Chris Charlton
Great stuff, Messrs Legendary Wargames. Shame about the broken square and subsequent demise. Cheers!