"The Sudan campaign" Topic

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have finished my Sudanese force and now have 3 units of sword/spear and 1 of riles. Would this be a correct organization or should riflemen be included as part of the
spear units. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

There was no formal organization in the Mahdist armies.

However, for what you have, it's OK for TSATF. The Rifle armed unit could easily be treated as Jihadiya, the large majority of whom were impressed Egyptian prisoners still equipped with their 11mm Remington's. Never the best-trained troops, these involuntary riflemen would not have improved under their new masters, so the "Dervish Rifles" firing classification certainly applies to them as provided.

More as a matter of taste, I might increase the number of sword-and-spear units by as much as twice as many in order to get a more nearly historical ratio of rifles in a Mahdist force, but what you have is serviceable indeed.

TVAG

I am looking at the rules to remind myself and they recommend one rifle unit to three melee armed Dervish, just as you have. IIRC, the Dervishes kept their riflemen separate. Here's a link to a good article about Mahdist firepower: link

Patrick, I actually have twice that many Ansar plus 4 Fuzzy Wuzzy units, as well as cavalry, camelry and guns with crews. I really have to stop buying figures and painting them (s/off)

@oldjarhead: if you're painting them as you buy them, it might be time to buy Brits, instead.

@Lion in the Stars,

11 British infantry, 7 seven Indian Army units, 4 Cavalry,
2 mounted infantry and 9 guns with crew (as well as ammunition and baggage mules). I also have appropriate Afghan/Pathan and Chinese units with US, Italian, French and Japanese for Boxer rebellion. As I said should take a break, but so many figures available and retirement has been fun.

oldjarhead!

No one needs to give you any advice on YOUR collection!

And least of all this Old Duffer.

Though if you'll forgive what must seem a transparent effort as self-service, you might wish to consider this link
and the information provided.

Merry Christmas!

TVAG

Patrick,

Bought this some time ago, convinced me to buy more figures. Also have some of your Perdicaris etc figures and plan on more soon.

Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year.

Colin (old jarhead)

You know, I think you may need to stop painting minis and get some games in!

There were organised riflemen, see:
ORGANIZATIONS AND UNIFORMS OF THE MAHDIST ARMIES, 1883-1898 BY DOUG JOHNSON ILLUSTRATIONS BY GREG ROSE

Riflemen: The Jihadiyya, divided into three rubُs, each under an amir with his own flag, and each further subdivided into groups under a raُs miُa (head of a hundred, or centurion). Two of the rubُs had three raُs miُas each, and one had two raُs miُas. This does not mean that the total force numbered 800 riflemen, as it appears that the commands of each raُs miُa were considerably understrength.

Druzhina
19th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

Colin!

I didn't recognize your flag!

Sorry, but with your collection and the MWSB, plus TSATF in hand, I must agree with Lion In the Stars: Get some games going!

Good On You, Sir!

TVAG

I pulled up my OOB and I've got 5 melee units (2 fuzzy-wuzzy), 2 rifle units, 1 cav, 1 camel and 2 artillery. All normal strength for TSATF, but the artillery only has three gunners and a slave driver who doesn't count for dice (house rule).

Murvihill,

I like your artillery unit organization, do you mind if I use it??

Also how do you designate the slave driver type? In 15mm I don't know of a middle eastern figure with a whip

at 15mm, should be easy enough to find a middle eastern figure with a dagger or pistol, then replace the weapon with a bit of bent wire.

Lion in the Stars,

Didn't have a figure with pistol or gagge. However, I did have a couple on OG Ansar with swords, a few cuts a little drilling and some filing. Used the wire from a twist tie.
Should be just about right when painted.

The artillerists are ottoman with ragged uniforms and the slave driver is in Arab garb with a beard. Also, if the slave driver dies the gunners run away.