Sunday, 30 August 2026

Khartoum

Today I made up a foursome to play a game based on the storming Khartoum.

The scenario was taken from the Black Powder Blood on the Nile supplement (although the rukes being played were not Black Powder).

Khartoum was defended by three units of Egyptian infantry, one of Bashi Bazooks, several small units of citizen levy, three field guns and a Gardener gun.  A secondary force of one unit of Egyptian infantry and a gun occupied a smaller fort across the Nile. The attacking force consisted of four warbands: one (the Mahdi's) of four units, another three each of two units.

The game was always going to see the Dervishes storm the city, it was just a matter of how longbit would take. 

A view across Khartoum before the attack began

My command (above and below) were assigned to attack the separate fort


The remainder of the force sweeps forward against the main walls

  
My first attack against the fort - this attack was repulsed, but a subsequent one succeeded

The main force strikes the main wall like a tidal wave

Gordon is getting worried

Above and below, the main wall is stormed.


The Dervishes pour through the streets

My having taken the fort follow up on the routed Egyptians

Above and below, Gordon's anxiety grows as the defence collapses






Moments before the Dervishes came knocking on Gordon's door

In the end Gordon was captured. His fate is unknown at this point.

It was a good way to spend a few hours on a wet and windy Sunday.

8 comments:

  1. Fine looking game there Mark and it reminds me of enjoying Charlton Heston in the lead role, ditto watching the original 'The Four Feathers', where the Fuzzie Wuzzies did indeed have that great hair etc. Not my period at all but a feast for the eyes for sure:)!

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    1. Indeed...I was bitterly disappointed by the 2002 remake of the Four Feathers. It looked so good in the trailer, but was dray and tedious in the end.

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  2. Super looking game, lovely table and figures on show.

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  3. Superb looking game and a good way to spend a few hours on a wet and windy day

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    1. Thanks Neil. Indeed it was a good way to spend a bad weather day.

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  4. Khartoum looks terrific and the walls are beautifully done. I think I can guess what may have happened to General Gordon. The next suburb over from us is called Gordon Park and one of the children bought a house there and the other is renting a unit. I have often thought about telling them the story, but don't enjoy that look when their eyes start to glaze over.

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    1. The walls were actually 15mm, but looked the part. Ah, the glazed eyes...still the ultimate has to be when they say 'fascinating"!

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