Raid on a rail junction: 1916

 It was time to bring out Jon's awesome 10mm middle east WW1 figures. Jon designed a small simple fictional scenario: an allied daylight raid on a critical rail junction defended by a Turkish infantry regiment, and a cavalry regiment, supported by two batteries of field artillery. The raiding forces were two mounted Brigades, one from the Imperial Camel Corps, the other a regiment of Australian Light Horse. They included several armoured car squadrons, and six artillery batteries, in support. There was also some possible RFC support. The game was played using the Great War Spearhead rules.

The raid was planned to approach from opposite sides of the objective to try and split the defenders.

Overview of the rail junction

The junction, with two 'village' sectors

Defending Turkish infantry

A deep ravine outside the villages

The overall defence, the Turkish cavalry, alerted to the impending raid, had taken up a position against the rail embankment (top centre of the photo)

Defenders occupying the village sectors (these count as 'outskirts' under GWSH

The 'southern' sweep made by the ALH

The northern wing of the attack (ICC). This Brigade had a timed order bringing it to just short of the objective, a timed order intended to see it attack the junction at the same time as the southern ALH .. I got the timings wrong (surprise, surprise). Both forces dismounted short of the objectives to attack on foot.

The ICC advance

The ALH were accompanied by two squadrons of armoured cars

However the Turkish commander occupied/reinforced the high ground to the west of the junction

The ICC took heavy casualties from flank fire

... and then failed its morale. The raid had failed

The game was intended as a small scenario to get the 'feel' for the theatre. The attack lacked subtlety (my fault entirely) being caught in the open with flank fire. I also forgot the two RFC flights, although casualties mounted so quickly it would most likely have made no difference.

However when all said and done, it was great to see Jon's 10mm figures out on the table.