The British expedition to Egypt in 1807 is one of the lesser known British disasters of the Napoleonic period, and for the gamer who likes a good old 'last stand' action, this scenario is ideal.

In 1807 Britain and Russia were at war with Turkey and France, and in order to achieve anything at all against the Turks the British invaded Egypt which was technically an Ottoman province. In practice Egypt had become independent under Mohammad Ali, and at the time Ali was involved in a civil war against the Mamelukes. The Mamelukes had been the previous rulers of Egypt, but were now in their death throes. The British had landed in expectation of the Mamelukes joining them as allies, and were not aware of their true weakness.

A British force of 7,000 men landed in March and entered Alexandria and Rosetta. The former surrendered without a fight, but the Albanian garrison hid within Rosetta and ambushed the British columns jammed in the narrow streets, causing 400 casualties. In retaliation a 12 day naval bombardment ensued, and the town later fell. A detachment of 2,300 men under Brigadier-General William Stewart then marched ten miles up the Nile (southwards) and occupied a village called El-Hamad.

THE BATTLEFIELD

Terrain for the resulting battlefield is in the Nile Delta, and is basically flat irrigated desert. Fields are burnt stubble and are bordered by narrow irrigation ditches which are no obstacle to movement nor provide cover. The collection of palm trees is quite dense with some undergrowth, and will slow formed movement and provide soft over. The village is small, with just a few single story flat topped abodes and perhaps a small mosque. The walls will be bullet proof (just!) just will provide little protection against roundshot. The riverbank has a shallow slope and the typical Nile craft can easily beach on the shore.

Large Map (slow 57k)

The game starts at 4.00 am, when visibility is only 500m due to the early morning mist rising off the Nile. The mist disappears after movement during turn 2 as the sun burns through.

TROOP RATINGS: BRITISH

The British forces are mainly garrison troops hastily removed from Malta for the campaign, and so they should be classed as regular line with average morale. Artillery ammunition was limited and runs out when a 1 is rolled (whatever type of dice you use).

DEPLOYMENT: BRITISH

Around El-Hamad & rows 1-4 in squares. They are resting at night in preparation for a 4 am move. Squares are used as raiding Bedouin can arrive in any direction. Others are for the force to rest until 4 am when a withdrawal northwards should begin. It is known that a large Egyptian force is two hours away to the north, on both sides of the river. Friendly Mamelukes are awaited (reported to be several hundred cavalry) from the south west.

BRITISH FORCES

BRIGADE COMMANDER Brigadier-General William Stewart

Chasseurs Brittanique Regiment (8 Companies)

800 Light Infantry armed with Baker rifle and sword bayonet. These may skirmish if wished.

2nd Battalion, 78th Highlanders (10 Companies)

800 Men armed with flintlock musket and bayonet.

35th Line Regiment (10 Companies)

Armed with flintlock musket and bayonet.

Foot Artillery Section

2 x 6pdr guns

Naval Artillery Detachment

1 x Gun 1(?) x Small Mortar

TROOP RATINGS: EGYPT

Egyptian infantry are close order, second rate line, using attack columns and 3 deep line. They cannot form square. The Djellis are fanatic light cavalry - treat as 2nd rate hussars with high morale. They can deliver a charge in relatively close order as well as skirmish. They are however very impetuous and can decide to charge without orders. If you rules do not cover such an event then they must take a Control Test when in charge reach of the enemy or if a friendly cavalry unit charges within sight. Roll 1D6 and on a 1 or 2 they charge! The Bedouin cavalry regiment is French trained, recently formed, lancers. Treat them as 2nd rate lancers. The Bedouin raiding party are the same as Cossacks, i.e. skirmishers with poor morale incapable of a formed charge.

DEPLOYMENT: EGYPT

This force should be split into 2 wings and a centre for command purposes, there being no such thing as European style brigades in the Ottaman armies at this time. Egyptians deploy in row 6, after the British have deployed. Native fellaheen and Kurdish dromedary scouts will have reported British deployment, and the Egyptians have the advantage of an early morning mist rising off the Nile in northwesterly direction. Orders are to destroy the British invaders.

EGYPTIAN FORCES

HQ 'ELEMENT' Hassan Pasha (Supreme Commander) and 2 Wing Commanders

12 - 18 x Infantry Battalions

Each of approx. 400 men armed with matchlocks and swords (no bayonets).

1 x Mercenary Regiment (4 Battalions)

Each Battalion of 500 Infantry armed with matchlocks and swords (Bosnian, Greek, Turkish and Sekhan).

1 x Cavalry Regiment

400 Kurdish Djellis armed with carbine, spear, sword and pistol.

1 x Cavalry Regiment (4 Squadrons)

Each of 125 Bedouin Irregular horse armed with lances (red pennons), sword, pistols and carbine.

1 x Bedouin Raiding Party

400 Cavalry armed with spear and sword.

No artillery is available as the force marched from Cairo after a previous battle against the mamelukes at Assiut.

THE BATTLE

In the actual battle, it appears (this has yet to be confirmed) that the 35th were caught by surprise, the enemy appearing out of the mist just as the regiment was forming up (into march column?) and turning north. They were quickly overrun. The Egyptians then attacked the 78th from the south & south-east with cavalry. This was received in square and deflected, the cavalry however causing some casualties and disorder before sweeping past to the west. A mass of Albanian infantry they stormed the 78th (which may have formed line) and succeeded in overrunning the regiment, a few survivors escaping to the north west into the Chasseurs. A firefight then ensued during which all the artillery ammunition was fired off. The Chasseurs were deployed in square and suffered heavily. The British, seeing the Egyptian cavalry preparing to charge again, surrendered.

Overall British casualties were severe, at least 400 being killed and many of the wounded later lying in prison (in Cairo). Surviving prisoners were released after negotiations in September 1807.

SOURCES

Exact details of this battle, indeed of the entire campaign, are not easily found and the sources are contradictory. Full and further details are being researched in depth by Neil Carleton, the results of which will appear in "another place" (if they haven't already).

The battle details are mostly taken from historical novels based on the life of Lord Keith, a prisoner taken at the battle who went onto become an Egyptian governor. Details of forces and terrain layout may not be 100% accurate, but the battle is such as ideal 'wargamers scenario' that is deserves reporting. The action certainly puts pressure on the British player and provides the opportunity for another glorious British last stand.

For uniform details see over for sources 3-6.

Bibliography & Sources

D. Martin, "Twin Souls, Twin Swords", Zultan Productions Ltd, 1971.
R. Sutcliffe, "Blood & Sand", Hodder & Stoughton, 1987.
M. Bevis, "Tangier to Tehran", SOTCW Publication, 1994.
J. Sabini, "Armies in the Sand", Thames & Hudson, 1981.
W. E. Johnson, "The Crescent Among the Eagles", 1994.
Military Modelling, October 1987, p. 684-5.
Private correspondence and inspiration from Neil Carleton.