Wars in Eastern Sudan
Part 2: Baker & El Teb

Wargame Ideas

by Doug Johnson
Maps and Illustrations by Greg Rose

Wargaming for the Eastern Sudan in 1883-4 will present a challenge as the battles were so unlike those we associate with standard colonial warfare. It was usually the ansar who were outnumbered, rather than the Egyptians, and the Egyptians were always better armed.

Egyptian forces should be composed of a variety of units with different morale values and fighting ability. These should reflect training and experience more than ethnic martial stereotypes. Sudanese regulars should normally be given the highest fighting ability, but Sudanese irregulars (the bazinqirs) should rank near the bottom. Turkish bashi-bazuks could range from quite good (as at Sinkat) to unreliable (as at El Teb). Egyptian regulars should also vary. Those who form part of the existing garrisons (especially Sinkat and Kassala) should rank higher that the gendarmerie.

The Beja can be organized into warbands under their own shaikhs, but all under an overall commander. There should be some mounted Beia, mainly on camels, and mainly acting as mounted infantry. Virtually none of thee had rifles at this time, and any who did would be inexperienced shots.

A variety of games can be attempted. The first assault on Sinkat is filled with possibilities, Osman Digna would have to try for some early breach of the fortifications in order to bring some of those Beia observing on the sidelines into the battle. There are also a number of cattle and camel raiding skirmishes (initiated by either side) to try.

In recreating any of the battles of El Teb, one can experiment with battalion squares to see if these would fare any better. With each side composed of a proportion of steadfast troops and waverers, the outcome of each game could be far from certain.

It is unnecessary to list here the different makes of figures which would be suitable for games of 1883-4. A number of manufacturers now make bashi-bazuks and Egyptians in white uniforms, not to mention a host of Beia.

Wars in Eastern Sudan Part 2: Baker & El Teb

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© Copyright 1987 by Milton Soong.
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