Resistance in the Desert
Part II: Wargaming the Period

Scenario 4: Repulse from Metarfa

by Ian Croxall

With the spreading news of the resistance, Major Falconnetti of the Arab Bureau Office requests reinforcements from Timimoun. With captain Pein and his Goumiers he prepares his attack on the kasar.

The kasar is surrounded by dunes and it is not possible to get a line of sight on the walls. The sand is particularly soft and has the effect of absorbing the effect of the guns.

Order of Battle

French Forces

(Modifiers when given are to morale die rolls, (- good, +bad)

C in C Falconnetti
Tirailleurs, 18 men, Fr. Sgt. Fr. Lieutenant
Tirailleurs, 18 men, Algerian Sgt. Fr. Lt.
Tirailleurs, 18 men, Algerian Cpl. Algerian Sgt.
8 cm mule gun. 3 French men. 1 Fr.. Sgt. 4 Algerian handlers 2 mules.

Pein
Mounted Goumiers, 10 men, Fr. Sgt, Bureau Officer.
Goumiers, 17 foot, Fr. Cpl. Fr. Sgt. Bureau Officer.
(the goumiers are disconcerted having heard the incantations of the Muslims in the dunes. They add +1 to their morale rolls.)

Setup

The French may set up anywhere within 24 inched of the dunes.
The Kasarians may set up anywhere within the dunes.

Kasarians

Dunes
Shereef
Mounted Warriors 15 men armed with Arab rifles. 1 Caid leader
Ahrar kasarians, 10 muskets, 10 rifles. Marabout leader.
Haratin kasarians, 10 muskets, 10 spear or sword, Marabout leader, Morale +1
Warriors, 19 men with rifles and swords, 1 Caid with rifle
Warriors, 19 men with rifles and swords, 1 Caid with rifle
Warriors, 19 men with rifles and swords, 1 Caid with rifle
Warriors, 19 men with swords, 1 Caid with rifle
Warriors, 19 men with swords, 1 Caid with rifle

Regeneration of Native Forces
The natives have no regeneration in this battle

French Objective

Drive the kasarians from Metarfa

French Credibility Factors
Each Warrior killed +1%
Each Foot killed -2%
Each Mounted Killed -2%
Each Frenchman killed -4%
Each Pack animal lost -5%
Falconnetti killed -15%
Pein killed -10%

Re-Fight Conditions

There is no re-fight, the French must win or withdraw from Metarfa. There is no victory for occupying the kasar if kasarians are still in the dunes, although occupying it might give a tactical advantage for line of sight or protection etc.

Special Conditions

The French gun is reduced to half effect (half dice thrown) while shooting at targets in the dunes. Should the defenders retire into the Kasar, the French gun fires at full effect. The wall can be breached as per the prior gun shooting table with D6 hits to make a 3” wide breach.

If any the defenders retreat into the kasar, all defenders will add +1 to their morale die roll. The French must be stopped in the dunes. Once in the Kasar, with their gun, it will only be a matter of time before they pound the kasar into dust.

Resistance in the Desert: Part II by Ian Croxall

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