The Egyptian command was at least competent and the rank and file were committed to their cause, fought bravely and gave a good account of themselves. However, there was a serious shortage of qualified company grade officers and NCO’s. with the result that discipline often could not be maintained once the fighting began and the Egyptian forces were tactically sluggish in reacting to events. Consequently, players should consider ways of preventing the Egyptians from moving large numbers of their forces at one time or of shifting the positions of their troops. Some sort of activation system might be in order.

(2) Training in both small arms and artillery firing by the Egyptians had been spotty and was therefore often less accurate than that of their Indo-British opponents. For a number of reasons the British were on a strict and short time table. Consequently, aggressive tactics were expected.

Likewise, Arabi’s government was not yet securely established. Indeed, it was never clear just how much authority Arabi had from one day to the next. The last thing he wanted was a long war with the British Empire. These last two points are meant as an indication that both sides should adopt a hell-for -leather attitude. All rules have exceptions as the first scenario shows:

Keeping Arabi Bemused

The initial British landings were at Alexandria and the balk of the Egyptian army was soon deployed against them. Sir Garnet Wolseley the British commander, intended to out-flank the Egyptians and cover the Suez Canal at the same time by landing his main force at Ismailia and marching to Cairo from there. For this plan to succeed, it was necessary for the force occupying Alexandria to act as aggressive as possible without actually committing themselves to a major battle in which they would be seriously outnumbered.

Consequently, a major demonstration was planned for 5 August but it didn’t begin until 4:30 PM so that the British forces could withdraw at nightfall without creating the suspicion of weakness that a withdrawal during daylight would cause.

Terrain

There is a canal on the British right and a railroad on their left. The Egyptian infantry are in rifle pits. Otherwise the terrain is clear.

British

Sir Archibald Alison, commanding

Left column: Lt. Col. Thackwell; half battalion, Staffordshire Regt.; half battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry; battalion, King’s Royal Rifles; @200 irregular mounted infantry; 2 9pr. Navel guns

Right column: Sir A. Alison; Royal Marine Artillery; 2 battalions Royal marine Light Infantry, 2 9 pr. Navel guns, Armoured train with one 40 pr. Gun, a Nordenfelt and two gatlings.

Each column consisted of about 1,000 men.

Egyptians

Force composition is unknown. Should be about twice the British numbers equally divided between infantry and cavalry. Strong Cavalry piquets were deployed in front and the rest behind the infantry. Half the infantry should be in reserve. Two Krupp guns should be deployed with every 500 infantry (wild guess on the author's’ part; he has found no record of the actual artillery deployed.)

Aftermath

The two British columns threatened the respective Egyptian flanks forcing them to slightly and grudgingly pull back. The Egyptian reserve was committed just as darkness fell and the British withdrew as planned.

More The Egyptian War

Introduction
Preliminary Considerations
Keeping the Water Flowing
The Messenger Blunders
The Marines Have Their Day