Resistance in the Desert
Part II: Wargaming the Period

Scenario 5: Counterattack at Timimoun

by Ian Croxall

Timimoun as been significantly reinforced. The majority of the Garrison is out on patrol leaving a small detachment of French and Algerians to guard the two casbahs. The Moroccan Harka as approached the area undetected and has secretly got within the crumbling walls of the main casbah. The French have a few sentries on the wall. They “Thirty Thieves” open fire signaling their fellow tribesmen to start their attack.

Order of Battle

French Forces

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

Main Casbah
C in C Major Reibell
Bat d’Af, 18 men, Sgt. Cpt. Quisard
Bat d’Af, 18 men, Cpl. Sgt.
Bat d’Af Sappers. 9 men, Sgt. Vialis
Bat d’Af MG section (outside of main casbah). 3 men, Sgt. MG

Separate Buildings
Tirailleurs, 18 men, Algerian Sgt. French Lt.
Tirailleurs, 18 men, Algerian Cpl. Algerian Sgt.

Ruined Casbah
Ammunition Guard Detachment 5 Bat d’Af, Fr. Sgt.
Non Combatants, 20 cooks/nurses/bureau staff, 4 Bureau Officers (Morale and shooting as per Tirailleurs)

Harka War Party

Assault Party
Caid
30 Thieves, 29 men, Rifles & Swords, Leader. (Morale -1)
Warriors, 19 men, rifles only. Leader.
Warriors, 19 men sword only. Leader

Main Party
Sheik, 3 Musician, 2 Standards all rifle and sword armed.
Warriors in dunes. 20 men, ˝ rifle, ˝ sword only. Leader.
Mounted Warriors, 14 men, rifle and sword. Leader (May be substituted for dismounted figures before start of game)
Mounted Warriors, 14 men, rifle and sword. Leader (May be substituted for dismounted figures before start of game)
Mounted Warriors, 14 Sword only. Leader (May be substituted for dismounted figures before start of game)

Regeneration of Native Forces
There is no native regeneration in this game.

French Objective


Defend Timimoun

French Credibility Factors
Each French/Algerian killed -3%
Reibell killed -15%
Quisard killed -10%

Re-Fight Conditions
None, The Harka will withdraw even if victorious, their motive being to inflict intolerable losses on the French

Start Conditions

The Bat d’Af units in the main casbah have 2 guards from each main unit on the walls. They are half asleep and will only spot the Thirty Thieves on a one time attempt roll of a D10 (10 needed). If the Thirty Thieves are spotted, they give the alarm and the Thirty Thieves start from the “small building”.

The game commences with the Thirty Thieves firing first (unless spotted as above) at the sentries. The Bat d’Af (units asleep) may not fire in the first turn due to being confused

Special Conditions

The sappers can throw dynamite (one sapper per turn - ie they can't all be tossing it around). Throw 5”+D10”. Blast radius 6”. Everyone in blast radius subject to hit. For each in blast radius throw a D20.

    Target Terrain : Draw Hit Card
    Open Rocky Ground 1-17
    In Building 1-14
    In cover such as trees 1-10
    Open sandy ground 1-5

The French will not retreat from the Main Casbah, but will stand and fight to the last if necessary.

Resistance in the Desert: Part II by Ian Croxall

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