Introduction

Figure Ratio 1:1 - Ground Scale; One Foot = 25 Yards

I offer to the bolder Colonial Gamer this Christmas gift of a set of 1:1 figure ratio skirmish gaming rules. Not a particularly new idea to be sure, but the concept of ground scale being in scale to the figures is indeed, a little bit different. One foot equals 25 yards, hence, a 6 foot by 12 foot table (the size I use), is actually 300 yards by 150 yards in true scale with the figures!

By Gawd, you must be thinking, everything on the table is in range! By Gawd, sir, you are correct ! Now, Gentlemen Rankers, we must pay attention to terrain detail, and fields of fire, and line of sight, and the slight depressions in the ground, and the donga or wadi leading off to your flank. We must start thinking tactically like a small unit leader--we can't worry about what the staff officers had in mind when they sent you and your company to search out this native compound. This is the nitty-gritty of Colonial skirmishing; this is what you get paid for.

As you notice, these rules were developed for the Sudan, circa 1896, but as always, with my rule mechanics, they can be adjusted to any period desired. Again, these rules are in outline form--which for experienced gamers will offer no serious concerns in figuring out the little nuances and subtleties, and minor interpretations. For beginners, well, they will just have to become experienced.

As to organization of forces, attached is what I used in my games for the Sudan, and other than the ratio of Natives to Colonials, since we are talking 1:1 figure ratio, you can pretty much build the forces to whatever level you want to, or have figures for.

These rules have been playtested in some 9 games at three conventions without any serious drawbacks or concerns, so go ahead and give VOLLEY FIRE! a try and have fun!

GAME PREPARATION

A. Gamemaster builds the terrain, assigns players and forces to be used, and defines the scenario in detail to all players/commanders.

GAME TURN SEQUENCE

A. Commanders roll D6's for first move. High die roll will move first.
B. Simultaneously fire all weaponry in range.
C. Fight and resolve all hand-to-hand combat.
D. Test Army morale if applicable.

FORMATION CHANGES

A. Sudanese/British can move 1/2 the distance of their present formation and form a new formation and facing in their new location.

B. Sudanese/British, if charged, can always attempt to reform, evade the charge(one normal move distance), or charge to meet a charge. Cannot do so if a 6 is rolled on a D6.

C. Dervish "groups" are always in "mass", so have no need to change so-called formation.

D. Dervishes can automatically attempt to avoid a charge by moving one normal move distance directly away from the charge - if out of range, they are safe. Will now have backs to the enemy!!!

MOVEMENT

MOVE DISTANCES The below number of D6 are rolled to determine distance in inches
Unit	LINE	COLUMN/SCOUTS	SQUARE
Sudanese Units	Three D6	Four D6	Two D6
British Cavalry	Five D6	Six D6	NA
British Guns	Three D6 (deployed)	Four D6 (limbered)	Two D6
Dervish Foot	Always Move Four D6
Dervish Horse	Always Move Six D6
Mounted Leaders	Always Move Five D6

A. Sudanese/British move by units, measuring from the front center of their present formation to the front center of their new formation in their new location.

B. Dervish groups move by measuring from the front center of their mass to their new location Dervish groups (no formations-just mass) can interpenetrate each other with no effect to either.

C. Sudanese/British units can move through friendly units with no disruption but their move distance is cut in half (round up).

D. Sub units or groups can be amalgamated to move as one group or unit under one leader.

MOVE MODIFIERS

A. All Sudanese infantry, guns, and all mounted troops move one-half the above stated distances when moving through rough terrain, and across walls, ditches, fences, and fordable water. Dervish foot take no such terrain penalty nor do mounted leaders (Round all fractions up).

B. Sudanese units can make a double time move by rolling two D6 for each unit so doing. The resultant number is the additional inches that unit can add to it's normal move distance that phase. The low die rolled, however, is the number of casualties down from "heat stroke" - mark as such. If "doubles" are rolled there are no such casualties. British units can do the same but the high die is the number of casualties from heat stroke.

C. British units with no leaders attached, and Dervish groups with no leader within 24", roll one less movement die than the Table specifies .

SCOUTS

A. Sudanese/British units can choose up to 3 figures as "scouts" who move independently from their unit.

B. See movement table for distances. Scouts cannot double time. Scouts take no terrain penalty.

C. Scouts move, call visibility, exchange fire, and then fight hand-to-hand, if applicable.

D. Scouts fire in a 45' arc to their facing direction. Roll D6's. 4,5,6 hits in open. 5, 6 hits in cover.

E. Scouts can attempt to evade fire and melee' combat by rolling three D6. An even number, they can move away that distance, an odd number and they stand in place, surprised.

MOUNTED LEADERS

A. Move five D6 and take no terrain penalty.
B. Cannot be fired upon and have a bonus in melee' combat.
C. Pistols hit with 6's only in all cases. Point blank roll 6 D6, deadly range roll 4 D6, and close roll 2 D6.

INFANTRY SQUARES

A. Get a bonus in melee' combat.
B. Can be in any hollow formation with the sides as equal as possible.
C. Can have guns at the corners or in any side.
D. Cannot initiate any melee's and cannot support other melee's.

CONCEALMENT

Cover is woods, scrub, gullies, ravines, embankments, etc., and buildings.

A. All concealment must be defined at the commencement of the game.

B. Visibility distance is the full table except into cover when the viewer must be 6" away and can only see 6" into and must call for "visibility". Concealed troops must be at the edge of any cover to fire out and they will then be exposed.

C. No firing into concealment unless a target is visible.

D. Small arms firing range into and inside woods and scrub, etc., is 24". Gun range is 36".

E. Visibility into cover from the edge of is 12".

BUILDINGS

A. To enter, must spend one turn halted outside - fire at 1/2 hit result (round up) while so doing.

B. Troops inside take less casualties from fire and get a bonus in melee' combat, but cannot support outside melee's.

C. To leave a building move out 12" in any direction from the center of same and form and face in any direction in any formation.

INFANTRY FIRE

A. Fire is simultaneous in a 45 degree cone from the facing direction of the firer. Fire by units or groups.

B. Sudanese and Dervish riflemen can only fire the front two ranks of any formation. Dervish spears can throw overhead with all figures in range (arc of fire for spears is 45').

C. For rifles or guns to fire overhead the target must be further from any "obstacle" than the firer, and the target or firer must be elevated.

D. TO FIRE; Point out the target, measure to determine how many figures are in range, then consult the Firing Table to see how many hits are inflicted. Roll one 20-sided die for each 13 to 20 figures firing or each 7 to 15 cavalrymen.

E. Hits equal the number of men down in the target unit.

F. The number of hits inflicted may never exceed the number of men firing

G. 12 or less infantry or 6 or less cavalry use regular numbers, but only inflict half effect.

GARDNER GUN FIRE

A. Guns fire in a 45 degree cone from their facing direction.

B. Deployed guns can move one D6 and fire that turn. Guns that limber or unlimber (in place), cannot fire the turn that they do so.

C. To self-destroy a gun, announce same prior to any melee, If a 6 is rolled on a D6, cannot do so.

D. If a gun crew loses a melee they rout to their direct rear, disordered, the gun stays in place. Guns that are abandoned, crewless, or captured can be manned by infantry or Dervish foot but, always fire as if target is in cover.

E. It takes two "hits" to mark one gunner as a casualty.

F. TO FIRE; Point out target and measure range. Roll one 20-sided die and consult Firing Table to determine how many hits are inflicted on the target unit. Two gunners or less manning a gun always fire as if target is in cover

G. Gun jams if a 20 is rolled on the firing die. Gun and crew fall back 12" to clear the jam (will not leave building or square), and does not fire that turn.

Firing Table
Unit	Point Blank	Deadly	Close
Sudanese Rifles Single rank	1-12	1-10	1-8
Sudanese Rifles Double rank	1-14	1-12	1-10
Mounted Carbines	1-8	1-6	1-4
Dervish Rifles	1-10	1-8	1-6
Dervish Spears	1-8	NA	NA
Gardner Gun	1-14	1-12	1-10
All Pistols (6s hit, 1-5 miss	6d6	4d6	2d6

FIRING NOTATIONS

A. Targets in cover take 1/2 hits from firing table results - round fractions up.

B. Mark casualties by laying them down on the table in place.

C. 1's and 2's on the firing die are always hits on key figures (dervish riflemen and gunners), if applicable in a mixed target group. If a separate target group is all key figures, normal hit numbers pertain.

D. Anytime a unit or group takes fire casualties roll a D20. If a 20 is rolled that units officer, emir, NCO, or standard bearer is one of the casualties. Die rolls determine which leader.

E. If either COMMANDER is in a zone of fire roll an additional D20. A 20 and the leader is killed, a 19 and the leader took a minor wound.

WEAPON RANGES Drastic reduction in visibility and range due to sun glare and dust (Ground Scale Ratio; 1 Foot = 25 yds, 12 feet = 300 yds)
Unit	Point Blank Range	Deadly Range	Close Range
Sudanese Rifles	0 to 4 ft	4 to 8 ft	8 to 12 ft
Mounted Carbines	0 to 3 ft	3 to 6 ft	6 to 9 ft
Dervish Rifles	0 to 3 ft	3 to 6 ft	6 to 9 ft
Dervish Spears	0 to 2 ft	NA	NA
British Pistols	0 to 1 ft	1 to 2 ft	2 to 3 ft
Gardner Gun	0 to 5 ft	5 to 10 ft	10 ft & over

HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT

A. The attacker announces a charge (before rolling the movement dice), points out the target, and rolls his movement dice. He then measures which figures will make contact with the enemy unit or mass. All that do, will fight in the melee'. The attacker will close in on the target halting 1" away and take any and all defensive fire as he closes in. The attacker cannot fire as he closes into combat.

B. Any defending figures within 6" of the initially contacted figures are considered support and will fight in the melee'.

C. The melee' will be fought figure-to-figure between the opponents in the order in which the units made contact. Officers/Emirs are the last to fight. The figures are paired and each combatant will roll one D6 with Modifiers (see Table). The highest total is the winner of that individual fight and that figure stays in the melee. The loser, with a 2, 3, 4, 5,or 6 on his die temporarily falls to the rear of the fight. If the loss was with a 1 on the die, that figure is marked as a casualty. If the attacker hit from the rear, a 1 or 2 marks the loser as a casualty -- other numbers to the rear.

D. When one side or the other has all it's figures forced out of the melee' area that side is the loser and the melee' is concluded. The loser falls back a six D6 distance directly away from the fight and is now SHAKEN. Loser effect no friendly units in their path, but are captured if they collide with organized enemy forces. If this fall back takes the losing force to the table edge, roll a D6 for direction along that edge. Fall back direction is perpendicular to the front facing of the winner. E. The winner of the melee can reform and or reface on the objective, or move one normal move distance and reface and reform. Winner cannot use this bonus move to initiate another melee'.

MELEE MODIFIERS
(Add or subtract from the D6 die roll)

Sudanese Infantry In Square (Defense Only) Die Roll + 2
British Cavalry In Line Die Roll + 2
British Cavalry In Column (And Scouts) Die Roll + 1
British Cavalry Any Other Formation Win Ties
Sudanese Infantry In Single Rank Die Roll + 1
Sudanese Infantry In Double Rank Die Roll + 1, Win Ties
Sudanese Infantry In Column (And Scouts) Die Roll
Sudanese Infantry Any Other Formation Win Ties
British Gunners, Foot Officers/Emirs, Foot Swordsmen Die Roll + 1, Win Ties
Mounted Officers/Emirs Die Roll + 2
Dervish Horsemen, Dervish Foot Spearmen Die Roll + 1
Dervish Riflemen Die Roll
Defending Buildings, Trenches, Walls, etc. Die Roll + 1, Win Ties
Shaken Units or Groups Die Roll - 1
Hit From Rear (Attacker started out of view) Die Roll - 2

SHAKEN UNITS OR GROUPS

(Losers of melee' combat)

A. Regroup on the next turn unless they roll a 5 or 6 on a D6, in which case they are still shaken.

B. Always fire as if their target is "In Cover", fight melee's w/penalty, cannot initiate melee's.

C. Can move through friendly units with no ramifications to either.

D. All move a two D6 distance until they regroup.

CAVALRY

(Neither British nor Dervish cavalry can fight dismounted)

In this time and place it was considered - by cavalrymen - a decided disadvantage to be in combat on foot!!!

MORALE TEST

MORALE TESTING

When a Force reaches less than 50% of its' starting strength, morale must be tested each turn. Roll one D10 and read chart below for results. If both Forces are testing morale , roll low die for who tests first - if this test fails, other Force need not test!!

Nationality	Die Roll	Result
SUDANESE	5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10	Morale holds, carry on the fight.
	2, 3, 4	Force routs from the table leaving all guns.
	1	Disaster, force is annihilated. Officers captured, humiliated, and placed in cages for public view!!
DERVISH	6, 7, 8, 9, 10	Morale holds, carry on the fight.
	3, 4, 5	Force routs from the table - game ends.
	1, 2	Leaders kill themselves, tribesmen throw down all their weapons and surrender!!

FORMATIONS:

Lines

[One Rank Line]

[Two Rank Line]

[Cavalry Line]

Field Columns

Road Columns		Square

Army Organizations

(Players are reminded the following tables are only suggestions and that variations are perfectly permissable.)

SUDANESE BRITISH FORCE
Major Stevens, Commanding

Ninth Sudanese Infantry No. 1 Company

Lt. Stribling, 1st Section (24 figures)
Lt. Carr, Jr., 2nd Section (24 figures)
Lt. Walker, 3rd Section (24 figures)
Lt. Maxwell, 4th Section (24 figures)
1 Gardener Gun (4 figures)
6 Mounted Officers (6 figures)

Ninth Hussars 'A' Troop: Cpt. Carr, Sr.

Lt. Brown, 1st Section (12 Figures)
Lt. Kadlec, 2nd Section (12 Figures)

DERVISH HADENDOWA FORCE
Osman Azrak & Flagbearer Commanding

Hadendowa Tribesmen (Fuzzie Wuzzies)
Mounted Emir & Flagbearer

Hadendowa Tribesmen Swordsmen (40 Figures)
Hadendowa Tribesmen Swordsmen (40 Figures)
Hadendowa Tribesmen Spearmen (40 Figures)

Dervish Tribesmen
Mounted Emir & Flagbearer

Dervish Tribesmen Spearmen (40 Figures)
Dervish Tribesmen Riflemen (40 Figures)
Dervish Tribesmen Riflemen (40 Figures)

Mounted Emir & Flagbearer

Dervish Cavalry Swordsmen (12 Figures)
Dervish Cavalry Spearmen (12 Figures)