Space Command - Death in the Desert Battle Report

Setup & Turn 1
The growing glow of the dawn finally exploded into daybreak revealing the endless rolling dunes and sand blasted outcrops of rock to the legionnaires positioned along the fort walls. A sight that had become all too familiar.

Below them, on the parade ground, their colleagues got ready for the morning inspection under the watchful eyes of the French Fort commander, Colonel Avion. German, Irish, English and American; a multitude of nationalities stood side by side under the shadow of the fluttering Tricolour high up on the fort tower.

But nearby at the oasis and South of the village a slightly less formal gathering was taking place. Taureg tribes, answering the call of Sheik Turban Mohammed, were assembling at prearranged locations ready to attack the Foreign intruders.

At the oasis a warrior tribe (controlled by Rich), armed with some frightening looking melee weapons, was joined by a rifle tribe mounted on camels. West of them two more rifle tribes (controlled by Matt), one mounted and one on foot, moved carefully towards the small scattered buildings that made up the village.

The only other movement came from the West of the fort, where a small mounted Legion patrol, (controlled by Alex) that had set off just before dawn, was making a sweep of the rock pass that covered that area. They were led by the brave Captain Chardonnay who, along with everyone else, was currently unaware of the pivotal role he was about to take in the coming engagement.

Turn 2.
A shout from the Fort broke the morning peace as a sentry spotted all the movement at the oasis. Several bursts from the machine gun positioned on the fort tower spat sand around the feet of the Arab warriors as they moved up among some rock features near the edge. Soon after a larger spray of sand and dust near the camel unit meant the canon was being brought to bear as well.

At the village the unmounted rifle tribe took up positions in and around the dwellings. Roofs and walls all proving good vantage points out towards the fort. The range however was still too far for their rifles.

The horse men were also moving swiftly up. Passing the village their plan was to circle round and make use of the cover provided by the rock pass due west of the fort. However at that moment, alerted by the noise of the machine gun, Captain Chardonnay sent his scouts to the edge of the pass in a wide formation to discover the cause of the firing.

Several of his men were spotted as they reached the southern entrance of the pass and there soon followed an exchange of fire. Several Arabs and a legionnaire become the day's first casualties.

Turn 3.
The Arabs at the oasis let out a blood curdling cry and, with their sabres and knives glinting in the morning sun, broke cover and swarmed towards the fort. They were greeted by a volley of fire from the fort walls where the lookouts had been reinforced with fresh troops. Together with the canon and machine gun this combined fire brought down a number of the charging warriors.

However at the rock pass things did not look so comfortable for the Legion. A surprise charge, first by the horse tribe and then by the camels, caught the Legionnaire's before they could pull back. Very soon a fierce hand to hand battle was taking place. Outnumbered about three to one the brave legionnaires brought down a number of the attackers but all eventually fell, save for one; Captain Chardonnay. Who, after felling several attackers, cut himself free.

Turn 4.
At the fort the warriors were now getting very close and the defensive action became more urgent.

Realising they could divert some of the lethal fire from their warrior brothers the Rifle tribe in the village moved to the rocky higher ground at the edge of the pass nearest the fort and began to pour fire onto the fort walls, wounding several legionnaires in the process.

At the pass Captain Chardonnay escaped the clutches of his attackers and headed towards the safety of the Fort. The Arabs gave chase.

Turn 5.
Another volley from the walls reduces the Warrior numbers still further. But, urged on by their tribal commander, several ladders go up.

The riflemen among the rocks continued to exchange fire with the legionnaires manning the west wall of the fort, several men falling on each side.

Captain Chardonnay, having reached the corner of the west wall turned to face his pursuers who were close behind. There followed another bloody fight at close quarters that saw the Captain wounded and several of his attackers killed.

Turn 6.
Several warriors made it up the ladders and a brief and bloody melee took place until finally the remaining tribe as a whole decided to call it a day and withdrew off the table.

Meanwhile the valiant Captain continued his fierce hand to hand fighting with the Arabs surrounding him and the legionnaires on the west wall unable to assist him due to the incessant suppressing fire from the rocks. The overwhelming numbers finally told and after first loosing his mount and then receiving several wounds meant the Captain was finally done for. “Merd, I die.” etc.
However the machine gun on the tower was brought to bear and caught the camel tribe as it rode through the pass to assist their mounted Bedouin brothers. Sadly for the camels it was mostly they that fell, dumping a number of their riders onto the sand who had to continue on foot.

Turn 7
Although the East and South walls were now free of any threat, the North and West walls are now under attack from the remains of two mounted tribes and the unrelenting rifle fire from the rocks. In fact things are now so bad that the cannon crew decide to leave their gun and join the defence of the North wall with their pistols.

To make things worse for the defenders Arab scouts in the village discover a cannon of their own and some ammunition, sold to one of the inhabitants by a passing Russian merchant a few years earlier. (This scenario event triggered by the death of the first Legion officer, Captain Chardonnay)

Turn 8
Just as the Legion think it cannot get any worse, a new warrior tribe is spotted near the South Wall. (This is the first of the five Arab units that can be reconstituted).Worse still the situation is so bad at the West wall that all of the men defending it have taken a wound of some description. There is one brief moment of hope when the horse tribe finally turns and runs having lost its leader. However the Camel tribe (most of whom are now on foot having lost their mounts!) quickly take their place. Fortunately the new Arab gunners have not yet got the hang of firing their gun.

Turn 9
As more defenders fall the rifle tribe seizes its chance and breaks cover, heading for the now nearly deserted West wall. While this is happening the Legion does its best to reinforce the South and East walls where the fresh Warriors are arriving. At the North wall the Camel Tribe decides it has had enough and its last three members pull back.

Turn 10
A fresh horse mounted tribe appears at the pass (reconstituted unit number 2). This persuades the Legion gunners it might be time to re-man their gun, which they do! At the same time the machine gunners on top of the tower jam theirs. The warriors at the South and East wall take fire from the tower (which is still well defended) and the reinforcements at the South wall, causing some casualties. But the ladders go up.

Turn 11
Warriors pour over the West wall and a desperate fight ensues while a fresh (reconstituted unit number 3) Camel tribe heads over the dunes to join their brothers. However things have taken a turn for the worse and during the hand to hand fighting the leader of the rifle tribe is killed causing a panic that sees the survivors rapidly withdraw away from the fort.

Meanwhile, at the South and East walls, several warriors manage to force their way over the parapet and the few remaining legionnaires fight a desperate defence at close quarters.

Turn 12
Despite heavy losses the warriors are in the fort and it can only be a matter of time before more fresh forces arrive. And lets not forget a nearly in-tact rifle tribe regrouping nearby. As we called it a day it seemed it would need some more heroics from the French officers to save this command... "Vive la Legion!"


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DEATH IN THE DESERT AERONEF BATTLEGROUP PANZER GRENADIER BATTLETECH FISTFUL OF TOWs FULL THRUST GENERAL DE BRIGADE HAMMER SLAMMERS Death in the Desert MENU LEGION HOME PAINTING & MINIATURES GUIDE SCENERY GUIDE THE RULES		A remote Legion Garrison faces not only the harsh environment but a seemingly endless force of Taureg tribesmen intent on driving every last one from their lands.
Setup Starting Forces: Legion 2 x Rifle units of 10 men each 1 x Machine Gun Unit 1 x 4 pounder canon 1 x 6 man mounted unit 1 x Colonel (Each unit has an officer as part of its make up armed with a pistol and sword) Tauregs 1 x Rifle Tribe of 20 men 1 x Warrior Tribe of 20 men 2 Mounted Tribes (1 Camel, 1 Horse) of 10 riders each 1 x Sheik (Each tribe includes a leader for morale purposes). Rolling a D6 secretly before the game start it is established that the Taureg commanders (Matt & Rich) can recover 5 lost units/tribes. (a good number!) The Legion commanders (Alex & Kelvin) do not know this and can only guess at the number of tribes they will face.	Setup & Turn 1 The growing glow of the dawn finally exploded into daybreak revealing the endless rolling dunes and sand blasted outcrops of rock to the legionnaires positioned along the fort walls. A sight that had become all too familiar. Below them, on the parade ground, their colleagues got ready for the morning inspection under the watchful eyes of the French Fort commander, Colonel Avion. German, Irish, English and American; a multitude of nationalities stood side by side under the shadow of the fluttering Tricolour high up on the fort tower. But nearby at the oasis and South of the village a slightly less formal gathering was taking place. Taureg tribes, answering the call of Sheik Turban Mohammed, were assembling at prearranged locations ready to attack the Foreign intruders. At the oasis a warrior tribe (controlled by Rich), armed with some frightening looking melee weapons, was joined by a rifle tribe mounted on camels. West of them two more rifle tribes (controlled by Matt), one mounted and one on foot, moved carefully towards the small scattered buildings that made up the village. The only other movement came from the West of the fort, where a small mounted Legion patrol, (controlled by Alex) that had set off just before dawn, was making a sweep of the rock pass that covered that area. They were led by the brave Captain Chardonnay who, along with everyone else, was currently unaware of the pivotal role he was about to take in the coming engagement. Turn 2. A shout from the Fort broke the morning peace as a sentry spotted all the movement at the oasis. Several bursts from the machine gun positioned on the fort tower spat sand around the feet of the Arab warriors as they moved up among some rock features near the edge. Soon after a larger spray of sand and dust near the camel unit meant the canon was being brought to bear as well. At the village the unmounted rifle tribe took up positions in and around the dwellings. Roofs and walls all proving good vantage points out towards the fort. The range however was still too far for their rifles. The horse men were also moving swiftly up. Passing the village their plan was to circle round and make use of the cover provided by the rock pass due west of the fort. However at that moment, alerted by the noise of the machine gun, Captain Chardonnay sent his scouts to the edge of the pass in a wide formation to discover the cause of the firing. Several of his men were spotted as they reached the southern entrance of the pass and there soon followed an exchange of fire. Several Arabs and a legionnaire become the day's first casualties. Turn 3. The Arabs at the oasis let out a blood curdling cry and, with their sabres and knives glinting in the morning sun, broke cover and swarmed towards the fort. They were greeted by a volley of fire from the fort walls where the lookouts had been reinforced with fresh troops. Together with the canon and machine gun this combined fire brought down a number of the charging warriors. However at the rock pass things did not look so comfortable for the Legion. A surprise charge, first by the horse tribe and then by the camels, caught the Legionnaire's before they could pull back. Very soon a fierce hand to hand battle was taking place. Outnumbered about three to one the brave legionnaires brought down a number of the attackers but all eventually fell, save for one; Captain Chardonnay. Who, after felling several attackers, cut himself free. Turn 4. At the fort the warriors were now getting very close and the defensive action became more urgent. Realising they could divert some of the lethal fire from their warrior brothers the Rifle tribe in the village moved to the rocky higher ground at the edge of the pass nearest the fort and began to pour fire onto the fort walls, wounding several legionnaires in the process. At the pass Captain Chardonnay escaped the clutches of his attackers and headed towards the safety of the Fort. The Arabs gave chase. Turn 5. Another volley from the walls reduces the Warrior numbers still further. But, urged on by their tribal commander, several ladders go up. The riflemen among the rocks continued to exchange fire with the legionnaires manning the west wall of the fort, several men falling on each side. Captain Chardonnay, having reached the corner of the west wall turned to face his pursuers who were close behind. There followed another bloody fight at close quarters that saw the Captain wounded and several of his attackers killed. Turn 6. Several warriors made it up the ladders and a brief and bloody melee took place until finally the remaining tribe as a whole decided to call it a day and withdrew off the table. Meanwhile the valiant Captain continued his fierce hand to hand fighting with the Arabs surrounding him and the legionnaires on the west wall unable to assist him due to the incessant suppressing fire from the rocks. The overwhelming numbers finally told and after first loosing his mount and then receiving several wounds meant the Captain was finally done for. “Merd, I die.” etc. However the machine gun on the tower was brought to bear and caught the camel tribe as it rode through the pass to assist their mounted Bedouin brothers. Sadly for the camels it was mostly they that fell, dumping a number of their riders onto the sand who had to continue on foot. Turn 7 Although the East and South walls were now free of any threat, the North and West walls are now under attack from the remains of two mounted tribes and the unrelenting rifle fire from the rocks. In fact things are now so bad that the cannon crew decide to leave their gun and join the defence of the North wall with their pistols. To make things worse for the defenders Arab scouts in the village discover a cannon of their own and some ammunition, sold to one of the inhabitants by a passing Russian merchant a few years earlier. (This scenario event triggered by the death of the first Legion officer, Captain Chardonnay) Turn 8 Just as the Legion think it cannot get any worse, a new warrior tribe is spotted near the South Wall. (This is the first of the five Arab units that can be reconstituted).Worse still the situation is so bad at the West wall that all of the men defending it have taken a wound of some description. There is one brief moment of hope when the horse tribe finally turns and runs having lost its leader. However the Camel tribe (most of whom are now on foot having lost their mounts!) quickly take their place. Fortunately the new Arab gunners have not yet got the hang of firing their gun. Turn 9 As more defenders fall the rifle tribe seizes its chance and breaks cover, heading for the now nearly deserted West wall. While this is happening the Legion does its best to reinforce the South and East walls where the fresh Warriors are arriving. At the North wall the Camel Tribe decides it has had enough and its last three members pull back. Turn 10 A fresh horse mounted tribe appears at the pass (reconstituted unit number 2). This persuades the Legion gunners it might be time to re-man their gun, which they do! At the same time the machine gunners on top of the tower jam theirs. The warriors at the South and East wall take fire from the tower (which is still well defended) and the reinforcements at the South wall, causing some casualties. But the ladders go up. Turn 11 Warriors pour over the West wall and a desperate fight ensues while a fresh (reconstituted unit number 3) Camel tribe heads over the dunes to join their brothers. However things have taken a turn for the worse and during the hand to hand fighting the leader of the rifle tribe is killed causing a panic that sees the survivors rapidly withdraw away from the fort. Meanwhile, at the South and East walls, several warriors manage to force their way over the parapet and the few remaining legionnaires fight a desperate defence at close quarters. Turn 12 Despite heavy losses the warriors are in the fort and it can only be a matter of time before more fresh forces arrive. And lets not forget a nearly in-tact rifle tribe regrouping nearby. As we called it a day it seemed it would need some more heroics from the French officers to save this command... "Vive la Legion!"	Sunrise at the fort. Warriors at the Oasis and in the foreground a camel tribe near the village. Taureg Riflemen take up position at one of the dwellings.(Turn 2) A bloody encounter at the pass... (Turn 3) Fire from the rocks while in the distance Captain Chardonnay, now on foot and watched from the fort walls, makes his stand.(Turn5) Arab cannon found in local dwelling - Quelle horreur! (Turn 6) Turn 10 takes an ominous turn. Tribesmen force their way onto the South Wall.(Turn 12)
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DEATH IN THE DESERT

Setup