Setting up a scenario for the attack on Beersheba 1917

Weekends that are rather miserable weather-wise, especially one's involving rain, always provide opportunities to get on with some wargaming. This Saturday was one of those days and gave me the opportunity to setup a scenario for the attack on Beersheba, Palestine, 31st October 1917. 

The attack on Beersheba was part of an overall plan to outflank the Turkish line and eventually take Gaza. The attack was made by the ANZAC Mounded Corps and is known for the charge by the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade. They galloped across the plain to attack the entrenched Turks, and were successful in taking the town and importantly its wells.

The starting point for this scenario was from the "last crusade" rules (the scenario was kindly sent by Duc de Gobin - https://warfareintheageofcynicsandamateurs.blogspot.com). The scenario used a greater number of units than my current forces, which are based around One-Hour Wargames (OHW) games with 4 to 6 units per side.

The scenario had two objectives, the town of Beersheba and its water wells and a defended hill called Tel El Saba. I remembered OHW had a scenario with two objectives (scenario 21) and was able to use that to get an idea for setting up a game with balanced forces. So with some reposition of the town (Beersheba) I was able to rework the OHW scenario into a version for the attack on Beersheba.

The tabletop setup for the game

The tabletop is 5x4 foot. Wadi Saba is impassible and Tel El Saba is  difficult terrain where units can claim cover when positioned on it.

Turkish Order of Battle:

• 2 Infantry
• 1 Artillery
• 1 Infantry with machine gun support

The infantry with supporting machine guns must occupy Tel El Saba. All remaining units occupy the town and trenches.

Units occupying Tel El Saba are treated as being in rough terrain (cover) and cannot be charged.

Turkish troops occupy the town and trenches

The Turks occupying Tel El Saba

Commonwealth order of battle:

• 2 Infantry
• 1 Artillery
• 1 Infantry with machine gun support
• 2 Cavalry/Mounted Infantry

They must deploy in Zone 1.

Commonwealth troops deployed

Commonwealth forces win by taking and occupying the town Beersheba and the hill Tel El Saba. Otherwise it is a Turkish victory.

The game will use Machine Age rules from OHW with the following changes:

• Cavalry/mounted infantry can charge providing they have 8 or less hits. Over 8 hits and they cannot charge. Roll D6+2 when attacking and retire 6" if enemy unit not eliminated.
• Units are eliminated after taking 17 or more hits.
• Units which take hits are tested for disorder. Roll a D6 and multiply the score by 4. If the total is less than or equal to the hits, the unit becomes suppresses. Suppressed units reduce movement by half and shooting by half. (I use an explosion marker to remember when a unit is suppressed.)
• Suppressed markers are removed at the end of a player's turns.

I also use event cards as described in the book. The enemy panic card is an air attack.