"Calling Col. Campbell... Colonial Egyptian Cuirassier" Topic

I have come into a quantity of these figures, from the original Ral Partha line. Does anyone have any OOB info on them? I searched the TMP threads and found one reference back in 2008 that speculated squadron strength, but nothing else.

My home brew colonial rules use a 1:25 scale, so I have more than enough to represent the unit, if indeed it was only one squadron in size. Were they regimental sized? Did the squadron actually fight or was it ceremonial? Were multiple squadrons employed together or scattered throughout the country?
Thanking you in advance,

~Lou

Even the Mahdist Wars sourcebook has little info on them. I recall seeing a source that said they were about in squadron strength(around 100) and there was an English lieutenant attached to them at one time. There are conflicting reports about whether or not they wore the chainmail armor on campaign.

However, it is a cool unit to have on the tabletop,, so everyone should be encouraged to paint up a squadron!

Fred Vietmeyer, in the Column, Line and Square rules (page RW-POR 2) stated that chain mailed cavalry appeared "in the Khalifa's bodyguard in the Madhi's army of 1899." He did not, alas, state his source for the information.

Rick

link

I went on another search via Google. I came upon the above link which has lots of color plates for various Victorian era units, as well as many others (FPW, i.e.)
Good stuff…

The Woodville painting of the 21st Lancers at Omdurman on the link shows a cuirassier in action against the lancers.

Rick

There were Egyptian Cuirassier as part of Hicks Pashas expendition in 1883 against the Madhi. I've read there were about 100 chain mailed horse men that were part of the army. I don't have my Madhist Wars Source Book and I'd have to look at my Official History of the Sudan Campaign, but I think there was another unit also attached to Baker Pasha too (I know there were Bashi Bazouks in both armies).

But as far as armored Madhist cavalry, you might be out of luck other whatever the Kalifia had for his ceremonial bodyguard. However, you can probably do what you want for the armored cuirassier in whatever scenario you decide to run.

The Khedieval Egyptian army had a unit of chainmail lancers that accompanied the Hick's Expedition of 1883. They were destroyed with that expedition. It was rumored that the Madhists captured their chainmail. It was packed away in boxes for the march. They are a cool looking unit and I see no problem putting them on the table.

The Madhists did have chainmail armored cavalry that rode horse with quilted armor. Whether they actually wore it in combat is debatable; except maybe against the Abyssinians. Again I see no problem using them. You'll probably find they aren't worth all the trouble. Back in the eighties I was just starting to play TSATF. This guy had 2 "Dervish armored noble units" I think they were MiniFigs. One unit was on barded horses. He charged my regular Egyptians and his units were slaughtered. Pretty figures, but they just weren't a match for my below average Egyptian infantry with Reminington rifles.

Seems to me you can throw them in the mix or not.

I would, and probably will, when I get the time.

A very small force. I did mine as a half unit (6 figures) for TSATF. As with all my units I did a mounted and dismounted (conversion) version.

Good view of them in the movie Khartoum.

Vince

I appreciate the insight guys. Its not a question of whether or not I'll use them, or how to paint them; I'm looking for an org chart of sorts. The concensus thus afr seems to be about 100 or so in one squadron. So at my 1:25 scale rules, that puts them on a single four figure heavy cav stand.

I might do two units; one with lances and one with scimitars/maces, etc.

I agree with everything already said.

Lou, I think your urge to have 'an org chart of sorts' will probably not be confirmed by any historical evidence. You'll have to make it up and – if questioned – just say that you have the figures and you wanted them in your army :)

Mexican Jack is spot on.

anybody who is determined not to play you because you have a few "semi questionable" curassiers in your Egyptian army is not worth the bother to try and convince. Go ahead a add them!!

Lou,

Thanks for calling on me, but unfortunately I can add nothing beyond what has already been offered.

Jim

You can always center the action around a group of 30 or 50 of these guys if you want to get a lot of them on the table.

I used to think that native cavalry was weak in TSATF until the day one of my sons caught me in open order with a unit of Ansar cavalry. I'm sorry to say that my Queen's Guides melted away in short order.

Rick

I would use them in the Egyptian army or the Mahdis. Have fun with some of the early war units. Isolated garrisons of Egyptian troops, Gendarme, Sudanese, Bazingers, Bashi Bazouks, allied local tribes and some cuiriassiers. Include the leaders but don't allow any leadership bonus to apply. Very colorful units and lots of fun.

They shouldn't make that big of a difference I would give them a +1 in hand to hand (TSATF) making them a little better off in hand to hand but no protection against rifle fire.

I agree with Dragon Gunner. The Khedieval Egyptian army in the Sudan was for a lack of a better word, garbage. It did have some interesting units. My Egyptian army is larger than my Brits (both 1884 campaign and Reconquest), and more fun to game with. I've had situations where it actually wins. The variety of troop types and wide array of fighting styles/weapons makes it challenging.