(Editor's Note: Reprinted with the kindpermission of the late Jack Scruby from THE WAR GAME DIGEST, Book 7, Volume 1, Fall, 19 71. This is part one and I have never been able to locate part two of this fascinating account. This article was responsible, in large part, for my large 25mm French Foreign Legion collection, as it was so inspiring! If anyone has access to part two, please send me a copy and we'll run it in MWAN!)

From the CHRONICLES OF JOCHAIM VON SCRUBANWITZ

PART ONE

In the Spring, 1968 "Miniature Parade" there appeared a report on a campaign (The Dakla River Campaign, 1878) David Rusk and I fought with 25mm African colonial miniatures. The Senegal Revolt was the torch that set off the great wars in Mafrica to see whether the Imperium (led by Rusk) or the Mittleland Empire (led by Scruby) would emerge victorious.

In the "chronicle" that follows - written by that intrepid historian Jochaim von Scrubanwitz who accompanied the expedition into Senegal - you'll find a fancy interpretation of two wargames David and I had.

In these chronicles, David Rusk played the parts of General Larusski, General Markovsky and General San Carlos. El Schmer, the Rebel leader, was played by Jack Scruby.This was the first- and last - campaign in which DWOOL a purely native force of military miniatures fought a European force, for we learned early in colonial wargaming that - as in real history - no native force could stand against long range rifle fire. As a matter of fact, the Imperium (European) force had about 1/3rd less troops than the Rebel (native) army in both battles and only tactical errors gave the natives any chance of victory. In all the many Mafrican wars that followed, our miniature armies were composed of combinations of native soldiers, European and Askari troops so that each side would have a chance for something besides a massacre. In italics through the narrative (which will come in two parts) I have put in editorial comment about things which will interest the reader. These of course were not included in the original manuscript as written by von Scrubanwitz. The maps were found in the leather map cases of Imperium Sappers who fought and died in the two battles. Von Scrubanwitz has added his own tactical markings to these maps for those who like to follow the battle action.

FOREWORD

Mafrica is the dark continent; a land of mystery and terror which for two centuries has attracted the strongest and the boldest men of the Imperium.

In 1692 the great native city of Dakla was discovered, and since that time has become the center of Imperium exploitation and explomtion.

Located on the mighty Dakla River that penetrates into the mysterious center of the continent, Dakla by 1876 had become rich and wealthy as King Pointu, chief of all Senegal, waxed fat upon his trade with the Royal Imperiurn Trading Company.

So great became the greed of Pointu for the white man's goods, that taxes upon his people grew monstrous in order that he could continue his way of life.

Then, in 1876, a small hill tribe in faraway upper Senegal (close to the Dongolo River) revolted against the Kings tax collectors. Led by an obscure local chieftain named El Schmer, the hill tribe slowly moved southwards towards El Shab, gathering up unhappy Senegalese tribesman.

By late 1877, El Schmer had firmly established a rebel kingdom at El Shab, and no taxes or goods were sent to King Pointu from most of Senegal that lay west of the Dakla River.

Trading Company caravans were raided, a Trading Company mission was burned, and other intolerable acts against the Company soon brought down the wrath of Roume upon the rebels.

An expeditionary force of Imperiurn regulars were shipped to Dakla led by the Emperor's cousin, General Laruchhi, and while these troops became acclimatized, Laruchhi uniformed, armed and began training loyal Senegal natives into Askari battalions, following the new Colonial policy of letting native fight native wherever possible.

By January, 1878, Laruchhi had outfitted, trained and armed two sizeable divisions, each composed of one brigade of Imperium regulars, and filled out with contingents of native scouts, irregular horsemen and well trained, but inexperienced, Askaris. It was with extreme confidence that the First and Second Imperium Colonial Divisions marched northwards from Dakla, crossed the great river, and began the westward march through Senegal Gap upon El Shab and the rebel, El Schmer.

The stage was being set for bloody drama, and to the dark continent of Mafrica was to come the scourge that had plagued the Great Continent from time immemorial VAR! The white man had come, and with him came slavery, death and destruction!

For three days young Lieutenant Bridges of the 2nd squadron, 8th Anglian Lancers, had been the point for the long column of the 1st Imperium Colonial Division. Three days of slow marching since they had crossed the Dakla river into rebel territory, had worn off the adventurous edge to Bridge's temperament and he slouched wearily in the saddle.

Ahead were two native scouts -- the extreme point of the column. Beside him rode his bugler, and behind him jangling warily along were his lancers, their blue jackets and white sun helmets faded and dusty. In their march so far, not one native had even been sighted, but Bridges knew his men were alert for this was enemy country, and not too many white men had ever been here before.

"It looks as though we'll get clear to El Shah without a fight," the young officer spoke to his bugler.

"Yes sir", replied the bugler, "guess them rebels will leave us alone, and you can't blame them when you see what we're coming wift"

Bridges turned in the saddle, glancing behind. Less than half a mile away, winding up the old caravan road, stretched the multicolored column of soldiers. In front marched the famed Ist Caladonian battalion, dressed in white helmets, red coats and blue trousers. Behind them clattered a couple of light field pieces, and after that a long, brown colored mass- the new Imperium Askan Dakla battalion recently organized and trained by the supreme commander, General Larusshi.

Bridges mused to himself that it would be interesting to see how these Senegalese natives would do in their first combat with rifles, for they were more accustomed to spear and close-in fighting than to long range fire.

A troops of dragoons- the 3rd Slavonians followed, making a bright streak in their dark green jackets and red facings, while behind them hidden by the great dust clouds that rose from the column, Bridges knew the Naval Brigade, the Royal Marines and the long column of mules and wagons was guarded by the 10th Anglian Light Infantry battalion. And, of course, 3 days behind this rear guard, marched the 2nd Imperium Division, to act as support in the event the rebels ever made a stand anywhere short of El Shab.

The column had been climbing a gradual ascent since they had reached the low foothills that bordered the flat country along the banks of the Dakla. No military engineers had ever been this far inland, and the only map that Bridges had was a copy of a hand drawn map by a Trading Company expedition some twenty years before.

It was known that once through Senegal Gap - at an elevation of some 3000 feet - the interior valley of Senegal was cool and lush and that few natural barriers lay ahead on the road to El Shab. And obviously, the natives preferred to live in this valley plateau, rather than in the harsh and dry country the Division had been marching through. Bridges realized this was the real reason no resistance had been encountered, yet it was a little eerie to move through enemy terrain and find no living soul.

Despite his saddle weariness, young Bridges felt proud and content to be a member of the first really important military force that had ever been assembled in South West Mafrica.

The last few hours march had been between ever narrowing hills - the farmel of Senegal Gap. But suddenly, the two native scouts ahead seemed to disappear over the brow of the trail, and Bridges spurred forward, to suddenly look down upon the flat valley ahead.

The trail wound slowly downhill, then disappeared around a hedgehog ridge about five miles ahead. This valley was narrow, long and surrounded on all sides by low, brush covered hills that seemed to tumble away for miles as seen from Bridges high position.

The trail was the only natural road course possible through these hills, and the only possible way a column of white infantry could have moved through this section of the Gap. With a military mans vision, Bridges instinctively knew this place could be a trap, that every hill could conceal an enemy force, and that care must be taken in marching through this valley.

His orders had been to proceed into the Gap, scout cautiously forward looking for a good camp site where the nightly Square could be established with enough room on each side of the faces to keep enemy soldiers from sneaking in unnoticed. Bridges studied the valley carefully from his vantage point, picked out a spot about two miles away that seemed to have all the prerequisite necessary. Calculating the speed of the column, he knew it could easily make camp before dark, and he dispatched a Lancer with the information to Division commander, General Markovsky, the Slavonian officer who led the 1st Division.

As Bridges had anticipated, the last of the column moved into the camp ground before dark. A huge square was formed as each battalion moved up - the Ist Caladonians being in the front, had formed the front face of the square. The Dakla Askari battalion formed the south face, the Marines and sailors the north face, while the I Oth Lights held the rear, facing back towards the way they had marched from.

Inside the square - whose faces were about 200 yards each - the wagons, mules and native carriers had disposed themselves, along with the light and heavy cavalry. outside the perimeter, native irregular horsemen scoured the hills in all directions, checking to see that no Senegal army lay in wait.

The faces of the square were soon dotted with cooking fires as the men prepared their meal, and the narrow valley, which was not more than 400 yards across, rang with the boisterous voices of men content with their days march. This was the third night, and the force was beginning to fall into place with much less confusion than had occurred before.

Lieutenant Bridges rested as much as he could after dinner, for his squadron was detailed for midnight patrol. The native horse would patrol until then, and his duty would end at dawn. Tomorrow, back to the head of the column, once again. A tough life, sighed Bridges, but better than garrison duty in Dakla!

The night was dark, the moon only at a quarter, when Bridges led his little troop out of the square towards hills to the rear of the Column, designated by the Sappers as Hills 3 and 4.

Here he was to mount scouts on the high spots, and patrol the low spots to be sure no one was approaching from the trail to Dakla. Little did he know that he was to be the first white casualty of the long series of wars that were to occur in Mafrica!

During the three day march of the Ist Division, hundreds of eyes had been watching their ascent through Senegal Gap. Although the land had appeared deserted to the Continentals, it very definitely was not. The whole march had been carefully detailed to the rebel leader, El Schmer, by fast riding Senegalese scouts.

The day before the Imperium troops had reached the valley in the Gap, El Schmer had chosen the ground where the trap was to be sprung. Little is still known concerning this leader, but we can guess that he was intelligent, that he had some tactical ability as a military leader, and he must have been eloquent for he had easily gathered together his rebel force, and had formed them into at least a fairly well trained organization.

Arms for his natives were plentiful, for though few modem rifles were available, the Trading Company had for years purchased antiquated weapons and had used these for trading with the natives throughout Mafrica. Years of trading off these old surplus weapons by the greedy Company was soon to be paid in blood the blood of such young men as Lt. Bridges of the Anglian Lancers.

For on Hill 3, as young Bridges rode by, a spear thrust ended his life silently as groups of rebels moved quickly under cover of darkness to take up positions on the hill tops surrounding the Square. on all the crests, men were silently pulled from their horses and killed by knife or spear, and by dawn, the Imperiurn soldiers had been totally surrounded by hundreds of Senegal rebels, waiting for first light to commence the action!

El Schmer rocked in disgust in the saddle when he heard a burst of musket fire from over eager rebels on Hill 2. Instantly, the great square seemed to come to life, just minutes before the black horde emerged from the hills in the first great assault.

Total surprise thus was not achieved, and it was now light enough for the Imperium troops to see their targets. The first attack upon the I Oth Anglian Light Infantry on the rear of the square was smashed by a sheet of bullets, and the rebel cavalrymen retired quickly, dismounted and from the base of Hill 3 and 4 began a harassing fire against the crack soldiers. (The 10th Light Infantry are actually 25mm British riflemen in green uniforms and white sun helmets - one of our really great game units)

Along the south face of the Square the Dakla Askaris settled down after the first surprise shots and behaved in good order. But from a small hillock (Hill 5) there now rose heavy fire from rebel riflemen stationed there. These men had modem rifles, not muskets, and aware that the Askaris were facing their first fire fight, General Markovsky wisely detached a company from the 1st Caladonians to support them. (The Ist Caladonians are 25mm British troops ofthe Zulu War, while the Askaris are Egyptian and Sudanese soldiers)

Senegalese cavalry appeared upon Hill 1, but made no menace towards the face of the Square held by the Ist Caladonians. General Markovsky ordered the 3rd Slavonian Dragoons through the Caladonians to see if he could open up a road forward, and to see what lay behind Hill 1. As the Dragoons trotted out of the square, they were met by heavy fire, and suddenly from their right flank -Hill 2- a great horde of Senegalese horsemen appeared, bearing down upon them. Fifty troopers even though fierce Slavonian dragoons - were no match for hundreds of native horse, and the Dragoons moved back into the square having accomplished nothing except to convince the Division commander that he was totally surrounded and cut off.

Hard on the heels of this action the first great native attack was launched against the north face of the square from Hill 2. At this point, the hill was barely 100 yards away from the face held by the Marines and Sailors. This ridge was about 300 yards long, falling off sharply at both ends. The slope facing the white soldiers was gentle and covered sparsely with brush. The top, however was crowned heavily with brush and small trees, and it was from here that a great band of native warriors now broke, and like a dark wave, made a dash towards the unbroken square.

This was exactly the contingency the Imperium troops were trained for. In precise drill order they raised their rifles, picked their target, and waited for the command to fire. When it came, the Senegalese rebels were no more than 40 yards away, a howling, screaming mob running at full speed hoping to dip their spears and swords into the white men.

For the first time in Senegal history, the warriors were met by disciplined rifle fire and the results were disastrous. In seconds, hundreds of rebels were slaughtered. The survivors, stunned at the noise and bloodshed, beat a hasty retreat back up the hill. Not one Marine or Sailor had been hit, and El Schmer looked on in astonishment, as he watched his ambush fast turning into total failure. He dashed towards Hill 2, hoping by personal bravery to rally the shaken warriors upon whom he had counted to break open the square. For this was to have been the main attack, and it had failed!

General Markovsky looked on in admiration. A professional soldier, he had never fought against natives before, and his main thought was that this little action was causing much delay in his time schedule. If he were held up too long by these dark-skinned natives, the word would eventually reach Rourne and the Staff, and his military reputation would be bound to suffer.

Taking the situation in hand, he began issuing orders. The square would remain intact and begin a slow movement up the Ridge of Hill 2 while the enemy morale was still cracked.

Then, still in square, he would resume the high ground- towards Ed shed these pesky rebels. He of the enemy to follow him, would irritate his men, but drive off isolated resistance. this move would pull the Askari's out of fire range from pesky Hill 5 where the rebel sharpshooters were stationed, and they would not dare follow this movement across the valley, for fear the Imperium cavalry would attack them.

Within a few minutes the movement began as ordered. The entire square began a slow movement up the gentle slope of Hill 2.

Meantime, on the rear slope of Hill 2, El Schmer had arrived. Pushing here and there, crying out in an angry voice, beating at craven men with the flat of his sword, he attempted to rally his beaten spearmen.

The native Senegal, as he was to prove in countless battles in the future, is a born warrior, tough, well muscled, and trained in native warfare as a way of life. the shock of the terrible fire they had encountered had only temporarily stunned them, and as they listened to their leader, they were suddenly shamed by their cowardice. As with most men, they had their moment of terror, had lived through it and now, under able leadership, were able to shake it off and continue the fight.

Thus, at the crucial time of the battle and as reserves came up to join in the battle, hundreds of rebels rallied to add strength to the coming action. And, these men had already faced a Continental volley, and were now burning to show their bravery to their comrades. It is doubtful that if Markovsky had known of the tactical reserve held by El Schmer behind Hill 2 that he would have ordered his square to advance. He did not know, and had not taken time to find out, and as a consequence the north face of the square was now moving into danger.

As the great square began this movement the rebels began attacking from all sides. By ones, then tens, then hundreds, they left their positions, pouring into the valley, attempting to get into close contact. Once begun, the movement of the Imperium soldiers could not now be stopped, and the square was forced up Hill 2 whether it liked it or not.

Within moments the square was being attacked on three sides, not an ordered or planned attack, but an unconscious movement that nothing could stop. (For once, the native model soldiers waded through fire without losing morale!)

El Schiner took in the action at a glance from his position on Hill 2. He estimated the red coats were now only 50 yards away, and he ordered the attack! So close were the Imperium soldiers, they could only get in one volley, which did not this time stop the Rebels.

With wild cries, the Marines and Sailors were hit - and suddenly, as Markovsky watched in horror - the face of the square burst open like a broken dam, and through the gaps a great torrent of Senegalese poured, bent on death and destruction.

The Askaris, turned in bewilderment to face this onrush, and back to back, fought until they died. In seconds, what had been a well organized square, had broken into a hundred fragments. Only the 10th Anglian battalion remained cool, forming its own square which dealt out death until overwhelmed by a black tide of rebel warriors.

The Imperium cavalry died bravely as Senegalese cavalry poured through the broken square, and many were pulled from their horses as the inside of the square resembled a beehive that had been turned upside down.

"Por Dios", muttered General San Carlos three days later, when his 2nd Imperium Colonial Division moved to the scene of the massacre.

It was easy for the General to see the fatal military blunder that his friend Markovsky had made, for rows of naked dead showed the final stand of the white soldiers. It was there for professional eyes to see that Markovsky had committed the sin of allowing the native force to come within easy charge range, where his superior and deadly firepower could not stop them. All the Imperium guns, rifles and ammunition were now in the hands of the rebels and he realized he was now alone, deep in enemy territory, with a well armed and victorious native force awaiting him somewhere ahead on the road to El Shab.