Unusually, for a colonial campaign, this time the 'natives', at least in artillery, out gunned the Imperialists. They possessed an 18 pounder, 12 pounder and a 6 pounder. The Ruritanians had one six pounder, which was put out of commission early in the battle.
The Ruritanians were, as usual outnumbered, although not excessively. A firing line was established on the sand hills with the palace guard at the center. The Lionians had to re-position their guns but eventually brought them into action.
Below: Mat's Lionian forces move towards the Ruritanian line.
Ruritanian cavalry guard their left flank.
The Ruritanians move on to the hill.
Lionians move into position.
Lionian reserve infantry arrive.
Rurtanian lines
Ruritanian infantry reserves arrive on their right flank and to the left of the Lionians. They will regret deploying so far forward.
The Gypo tribe advances towards the new arrivals who fire a badly aimed round into them. The Ruritanian cannon and infantry on the hill also shoot at them but the Gypos are surprisingly resilient, despite accumulated casualties.
The Ruritanians are driven from the field! The Gypos then went on to outflank and finish off a second regiment.
The legendary Yellow Fanatics advance towards the Ruritanian cavalry who charge them, with deadly results for the Lionians.
The Looloo tribe also charged the Ruritanian palace guard who, defending the hill, destroyed the Africans. The Lionian musket men had meanwhile moved into firing positions, and combined with artillery wipe out the Palace Guard. Despite huge casualties the Lionians still possess two almost intact regiments and its artillery. Only two half strength Ruritanian regiments survive.
The Ruritanians have one last desperate gamble. They capture the Rass, the Lionian commander. The are then positioned behind the already reduced Lionian gun crews. despite the capture of their leader the Lionians give no indication of giving up the fight.
Reluctantly general Von Smutt orders the bugler to order the retreat. The Ras is taken as a hostage to guarantee safe passage.
The Ruritanian casualties have placed a dampener on further campaigning. However, the Ruritanians other armies in Lionia are still substantial and the Lionian losses from the earlier battles have moved them towards negotiations. The Ruritnaians are left with a toe hold in the South of the country.
European conflicts distract the Lionians for the nest couple of decades but war will brake out again between Lionia and Ruritania.
NOTE ON GAME SETUP
The terrain was decided by dice rolls. the composition of the forces was decided by units that had exited the board in the last battle plus dice rolls to work out the strength of the two sides being reinforced. (Guns were decided by D 3 guns and then gun types were dice for). The game went for about 13 moves over three hours.
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