WW1 Palestine Campaign - Turn 1 Game 1 Setup

The solo Sinai-Palestine campaign finally begins. This post will work through the steps to setting up the first tabletop game. The rules to the campaign can be found here.

The campaign begins

Step 1

The first decision for the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) is whether to expend another month in preparing for the offensive as it moves into the Romani zone. By using another month the EEF would be able select a second Event card which can be of benefit in the tabletop battle.

The campaign begins with the move into zone 1 by the EEF.

It was decided to push ahead quickly. The minimum preparation time of 3 months for the first battle was crossed of the campaign timeline.

Campaign timeline. The EEF need to reach Damascus before October 1918.

Step 2

Both armies randomly select one event which will be used during the tabletop game. The EEF rolled a 6 and will get to use aircraft sorties during the game, while the Turks rolled a 3 and can field an armoured car. An unwelcome surprise for the EEF.

Event Table

Step 3

The orders of battle are decided using the One-Hour Wargames (OHW) army composition tables. Both rolled a 3.

EEF

• 3 x Infantry
• 1 x Infantry with supporting machine gun
• 1 x Mounted Infantry
• 1 x Cavalry
• Aircraft sorties

Turks

• 3 x Infantry
• 1 x Infantry with supporting machine gun
• 1 x Mounted Infantry
• 1 x Cavalry
• 1 x Armoured Car

Step 4

The OHW scenario to be used is randomly selected from a table where each campaign step has three scenarios selected from OHW. The choices of scenario try to reflect the nature of the battles which occurred at the various stages of the campaign. 

A snapshot of the campaign steps with three scenario options. These are randomly selected.

The dice decided #7 Flank Attack (2) would be the scenario to be played. This scenario has the Turks defending a large hill with the designation "Big Ben". An ANZAC Mounted force of two units took up position on a small hill late the previous day. Overnight under the cover of darkness a large infantry force has been able to take up position on the Turkish flank and will attack early dawn.

The tabletop and EEF planned attacks

The next post will cover the battle report.