One of the three movies that sparked my interest in wargaming in the fifties and early sixties was Beau Geste (other two were Gunga Din and Charge of the Light Brigade). Back then I gamed the FFL and Arabs with old Airfix plastic figures. Things have changed since then I have graduated to lead and read Wren’s “Beau” series. The series consists of Beau Geste, Beau Sabeur and Beau Ideal.

The three books present the complete story of the Beau brothers and their friends from before their enlistment in the Legion until they return home, spanning about six years. Wren has intertwined their lives in a richly decorated tale of friendship, harrowing escapes and death, along with a little humor. Parts and pieces of the story are somewhat dull and plodding until you get to another book where the same scene is described by another participant and you go back and reread parts you previously skipped and think, so that’s what happened now it makes sense. There are a couple of other books by Wren that also include the Legion (The Wages of Virtue and The Stepsons of France) but they are not included here, may be sometime soon. While the best is still Beau Geste the other “Beau” books offer some interesting scenarios. I am not going to relate the battle at the fort again rather some of the other battle scenes.

An important point to remember is that most FFL operations were undertaken at the company level perhaps even platoon level, especially those listed here.

The Battle of El Rasa: a battalion of FFL hold an oasis against, what else, a vastly superior number of mounted Arabs until relieved by the rest of the brigade, quick firing mule guns (mountain guns), and a couple of squadrons of Spahis. The terrain is basically level; the oasis has palms and whatever else you want to add.

On Patrol: a section of four legionnaires are scouting for water and the tracks of a missing caravan and are riding in a long line just within sight of each other. The man on the right tops a small dune and comes riding back towards the second man followed at a distance (of at least two moves) a band of mounted Arabs, the third man joins the other two, however the fourth man, a bugler is out of sight. As a variant, your rifles were stolen last night.

The Charge: You command a squadron of Spahi and have a section of mountains guns. You charge a great Harka of infantry and mounted Arabs. The infantry go to shelter among the rocks and nullahs and fire while the cavalry attempts to outflank you, you charge straight up the middle in French fashion, not in line. Your horse is shot you go down under your horse, you have your pistol, your sergeant comes to your aid and defends you, your squadron charges by. Will they return in time to save you two?

Revolt: The scene is a large desert city with a garrison of two companies housed is a large two-story French government building facing a large square. Taller native structures are around the square. Two French Officers are in disguise as natives. The natives revolt. One company is sent out to dispel the rioters; they become trapped at least six blocks away and must fight their way back. Government house is under attack so no reinforcements are possible. Reuniting the two forces will end the revolt. Can your two disguised officers make the rioters believe a relief force has arrived long enough to get back to government house? Can they fight their way back with sufficient strength to end the revolt? Will those officers live? As another variant, or in addition to, you have two officers in uniform several blocks away, in a different direction; can they get back to government house? Can those in disguise help?

The Rear Guard: You command four men, are carrying troop placement maps to your brigade command, and are escorting two women. You were wounded in a skirmish earlier the day before and your left arm is useless. The Arabs you skirmished with yesterday are coming on fast behind you, you race to a narrow pass into the mountains. There is safety in the narrow pass, your orders are to ensure the women’s safety and deliver the maps, do you leave your men as rearguard and race off? The women think you coward and demand to stay, one or both are average or better shots with a rifle. With seven firing at the Arabs may rethink their attack. You start firing at 2000 meters by volley and then rapid fire; does this dissuade the Arabs? You must not loose either the women or the maps to the Arabs. Do you stay to the bitter end or leave your best men to their fate at the hands of the Arabs? Will the women stay or go with you?

Dawn Attack: Your native scout brings word that a large Harka is moving to attack at dawn. The camp is asleep, you have one turn to place your troops, they can only move 1d6 from their tent.