An Alternative 1930s scenario for solo play set in French Somaliland, 1935. Suggested scale 6-20mm.

This is a battalion level attack-defence game, easily scaled down to company level for 20-25mm scale. Although written for solo play it is also suitable for multiple players (ED - either as two 'conventional teams or as an 'all against the umpire' scenario'). Suggested rules include Jim Webster's 'Kalishnikov Tribal', or even colonial rules such as 'The Sword and the Flame'.

INTRODUCTION

In October 1935 the Italians invaded Ethiopia, causing international outrage. Public opinion in America forced their government to try and persuade the Italians to halt the offensive. With reluctant French permission, a Marine Expeditionary force landed at Jibuti, and drove inland to set up forward bases for a larger offensive further inland. By late November however French and local opinion became affronted by the US presence, and soon sporadic sniping and looting broke out. Gradually as the rains eased, local forces gathered to attack the USMC at the end of their long and vulnerable supply line.

It has rained recently so a surprising amount of greenery brightens the rocky landscape, and streams flow through the wadis and ditches. The air is hot and dry, tempered slightly by onshore breezes from the east.

US (PLAYERS) FORCES AND BRIEFING

You command elements of a reinforced Marine Battalion, stationed in village D3. You are in the process of refuelling and re-arming after a skirmish the previous day, in which you saw off several spear and sword armed natives who were trying to steal supplies from the village.

All troops have good morale and above average training.

All deploy in village D3, with the tanks and supply unit anywhere in C2 or C3. The tanks are being refuelled and re-armed at the start of turn one .

Orders are to complete the re-equipping of the tanks, re-ammo the mortars and then send a strong patrol eastwards (of at least 1 tank and 2 other platoons) on patrol for belligerent forces in A3. Troops cannot be dug in due to the stony soil but can be in stone sangers or loopholed buildings.

Virtually all of the local French colonial force has gathered in the hinterland to 'persuade' the Americans to go home.

Already deployed on move, hidden on hill B5 are forces as below.

US FORCES
1 MARINE INFANTRY COMPANY
CHQ:	2 x rifle/smg squads 1 x lorry, radio
1 MG Platoon:	1 x Colt MMG teams 1 x lorry
1 Battery:	3 x 3" mortars (no ammo!) 1 x lorry, radio
1 Supply Unit:	1 x petrol tanker 1 x ammo truck
1 attached Tank Unit:	3 x 6 ton M1917 (FT17 copy with 37mm gun and no radios)

FRENCH/SOMALI FORCES
Battlegroup HQ:	1 x rifle squad 1 x native rifle squad
2 COLONIAL INFANTRY COMPANIES each of
CHQ:	1 x rifle squad 2 x 50mm mortars
4 Platoons each of:	4 x rifle squads 1 x LMG
1 Colonial MG Platoon:	1 x Hotchkiss MMG Pack mules

NATIVE FORCES (Deployed off table at A2/3)
1 'Infantry Company'	150 irregular native infantry with javelins, swords, muskets and single shot rifles.
1 'Scout Company'	100 native infantry mounted on camels with single shot rifles, swords and spears.
1 'Gun Section'	2 x 62mm M1906 pack howitzers on camels. They have sufficient ammo for 6 salvos.
1 'MG Platoon'	2 x very old Maxim MMG and pack camels.

STOP!

Colonial infantry have French officers, and local soldiers drilled in European style. These will lay in hiding overlooking the village until the feint force (see below) retires. Then they will advance in open line on the village at D3, covered by the MMG teams. Morale is Good, Training Poor.

US ENFORCEMENTS
ON MOVE 9 the following enters at H4
1 Marine Engineer Platoon:	3 x rifle/engineer squads 2 x BAR (no radio)
2 Marine Infantry Platoons each of:	3 x rifle squads 3 BAR (no radio)
They will advance towards D3 via the road unless a runner with fresh orders is received from CHQ.
ON MOVE 18 a roving patrol enters at G6 of 1 MARINE COMPANY
CHQ:	1 x rifle/smg squad 1 x lorry, radio
3 Platoons each of:	3 x rifle squads 3 x BAR 3 x trucks
These will advance 'to the sound of the guns', or probe towards D3 to investigate events. They are not in radio contact with the original Marine force as they are from a different battalion.

NATIVE ENFORCEMENTS
The sound of the battle will attract others to the scene. On each move after shooting occurs, roll 1D6-3. This is the number of Somali native 'squads' (10 men) which appear randomly anywhere on the table edge, heading via the hills to the combat.

All (above) are Average Morale, Bad Training. However, being native irregulars, they move in rough terrain as if it was clear and they melee as well as regulars.

Orders are for the native force to advance on table on Move 1 with the camels leading (in skirmish formation). The guns and MMG are to set up on hill B2 and shoot up the village.

Both companies are to halt upon seeing the Americans and blaze away for several moves, harassing the Americans until they are provoked into attacking. When this happens they will retire to the west, whereupon the Colonial Infantry will attack against C/D3 hopefully catching any advancing USMC in the flank. If any Americans make a run for it the camelry will pursue. The remainder will loot the town for 2D6 moves and then slowly advance to the east against the G/H-3/4 area.

French forces have no radios or grenades.

The 50mm mortars only have enough ammo for 1 salvo each.

The Maxims may jam, use your own rules or every time one fires roll 1D6. On a '1' it jams (needing a 5-6 to be cleared).

VICTORY

Left to your discretion! You have your orders...

GAME NOTES

At the end of Move 1 the Americans roll 1D6. This is the number of moves of fuel and ammo the tanks have. Each additional move of uninterrupted resupplying adds an additional move to this total.

If the ammo truck makes it to the mortars it takes 3 moves to resupply. After this roll 1D6 +3. This is the number of salvos the battery has. Normally the trucks, having delivered their supplies return to Jibuti(off table from H4).

65mm shells will penetrate the M1917 tank armour. Also sustained MMG hits may immobilise a tank (10% chance).

The US lorries are old designs and cannot outrun galloping camels!

If you feel the French need 'beefing up' then add a platoon of two FT-17 with 37mm guns.

TERRAIN NOTES
Large Map (slow 144k)

The ditches, although full of water, may be used by infantry as trenches. They are impassable to vehicles.

Hills and wadis are rocky and steep sided. They give cover to infantry but are impassable to vehicles.

Buildings are bullet proof (mud/stone) but are vulnerable to HE hits.

Scatter plenty of fields, ditches and 'hull down' ridges about.

FIGURES

For the USMC use early WW2 British (or if available c1941 USMC in British style helmets, the SMG is the Thompson and the MMG is water cooled and so looks similar to a Vickers). For the French 1918 or 1939 French figures will do (in Adrian helmets). For the Somalis use colonial 'Fuzzy-Wuzzy' Hadendowa or Beja tribesmen. If available mix in some Bedouin arabs in robes and keffayah.