Friday 5 August 2022

WW1 Palestine Campaign - Turn 3 setup

So far the Egyptian Expedition Force (EEF) over 6 months have advanced across the Sinai (steps 1 and 2 on the campaign map) and are now ready for the next stage of the campaign - the move into Palestine. The Turks have defensive lines prepared (shown by the red squiggly line on the campaign map) between Gaza and Beersheba. This will means they will benefit by having one of their units dug in with trenches for all their games.

Full details of the campaign rules can be found here.

Campaign map and time line.

The EEF need to win a battle in each step of the campaign to allow them to progress to the next step. Three scenarios from One-Hour Wargames (OHW) have been selected for each campaign step which try and reflect the stage of the campaign. 

For the first game of this step the dice decided scenario #14 - Fortified Defence. An interesting scenario, and one that I have not yet played. The EEF will be attacking the Turks in fortified positions and will be able to refresh all their units once during the game. Essentially they get two attacking waves and have to capture both fortified positions for victory. I am looking forward to this game as it should be quite challenging, especially as the Turks will also get additional trenches for one of their units.

Campaign steps and their associated OHW scenarios

Both forces determine their campaign chance event. The EEF will benefit from an initial bombardment and the Turks will have the support of an armoured car.

Campaign chance events

The 5x4 foot tabletop is prepared and the Turks deployed. The Turkish order of battle diced from the OHW army composition table:

  • 4 x Infantry units (one of which can benefit from being dug in)
  • 1 x Cavalry unit
  • 1 x Artillery unit
  • 1 x Armoured Car (added with campaign chance event)
The fortified positions will get an additional attack until they are lost. To remind myself of this I have added a machine gun base to each position.

The tabletop is prepared and Turkish units depolyed.

A view from the redoubt which I places on a hill.

The fortified town with additional trenches to defend against attack from the broken ground.

The EEF order of battle for the attacking waves:

  • 5 x Infantry units (2 with supporting machine guns)
  • 1 x Artillery unit
At the start of the game the EEF can bombard Turkish positions with 3 artillery attacks because of the bombard campaign chance event. At any point in the game the scenario allows them to withdraw (remove) all their units from the tabletop and start again with their order or battle refreshed for the second wave of the attack.

Egyptian Expeditionary Force units

So everything is ready for the game to begin! I am continuing to use a a variation of One-Hour Wargames Machine Age rules by Neil Thomas modified in include a unit activation rule and to have cavalry charges (details of rules).

16 comments:

  1. Peter, the effort and thoughtfulness you put into these campaigns are inspiring and fascinating. I await battle!

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    1. Thanks Jon. Setting up simple campaigns is one part of wargaming I really enjoy. Looking froward to the playing the up coming battle. Peter

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  2. Oooohh. A campaign you say. I always like campaigns in theory but haven’t in practice. But I would love to play in one and love it.

    Nice scenario set up. WW1 is so strange bc of the mix of cav with machine guns and armor. 😀

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    1. The Middle East theatre certainly does provide an interesting mix of units. If you are interested in a remote campaign reply with your email (I won't publish and will delete).

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  3. Excellent as ever Peter.
    Your 'campaign step' vs actual OHW scenario(s) is such a powerful mechanism - absolutely beautiful, that can be turned to any period. The chance event lends fog of war to the ensemble, without crippling it. Looking forward to the action.

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    1. Thanks. The 30 OHW scenarios provide such a variety of options and the chance events provide much enjoyment as a solo player.

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  4. Marvelous. My thoughts have turned towards campaigns of late and your detailed posts are perfect.

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    1. Thanks, I am glad the posts are useful.

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  5. I'm looking forward to this. Shades of the Western Front transported to the Middle East.

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    1. It is the first scenario with substantial defences and will be an interesting test.

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  6. Looking forward to the batrep - tough scenario!!

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    1. I agree, this will be a tough ask for the EEF to take both fortified objectives.

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  7. I'm loving this campaign and the effort oyu have put in is certainly rewarding to see. As always the table and figures look great.

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    1. The campaign rules are working so far. I am concerned the EEF will progress too quickly, but the scenario to be played will be a tough ask for them. Thanks.

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  8. Thanks Peter, inspring stuff as always! The idea of using the OHW scenarios to build a campaign is really good and will be duly borrowed!

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    1. The approach is getting me to have a variety of games, including some scenarios I would not tend to select.

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