Carry On Chaps

Wednesday 20 March 2024

Action at Utamdondi ...

After the Sultanate of Nambuzo seized the key telegraph station at Potimbobo in Tanganyika, British forces in the area re-grouped and were reinforced by some detachments of units from British East Africa (Kenya). Command of the sparse British forces in the area was given to General Archibald Odd-Fellowes.

A British patrol spotted a column of Sultanate troops moving along the Nintimbe trail.

A British motorised force under the command of Colonel 'Slim' Roberts was dispatched to intercept the Sultanate column at the Utamdondi water hole on the trail...

---oXo---

The Sultanate troops on the march ..

the water hole at Utamdondi...

British motorised force approaches ..

While the infantry deploy at the water hole, the jalopies with machine guns move round the flank ..

The Sultanate troops reach the water hole ...

The jalopies in position ...waiting for the sound of gunfire ...

The British spring the trap ...

and the jalopies move round the flank and open fire ....

The German mercenaries step up as the Sultanate irregulars fall back ...

After coming under fire, the jalopies fall back to manouver...

The German mercenaries disciplined fire has little impact and they start to take casualties ....

The jalopies return around the flank and open fire again....

The Sultanate troops are hard pressed, have taken lots of casualties and are falling back ....

They break and run for the cover of the rocks and the thick bush behind them ....

The British follow up ....

and pick off a few more the Sultanate troops as they make their retreat ...

---oXo---

Notes:

1. Sultanate of Nambuzo Forces and Losses

Sultanate Irregulars - 22 + 4 scouts (26); 18 killed.
German mercenaries - 12; 7 killed.
2 supply mules with german mercenary handlers; 1 handler killed and his mule ran off.

2. British Forces and Losses

2 light transport jalopies armed with machine guns with three crew each
2 Transport Lorries with a driver each
Detachment British regulars - 8, who suffered 5 casualties in the battle.
Armed Native Police - 5
Volunteer Detachment 3rd Batt KAR - 3

3. Quick Summary of the game

The British got the best run of initiative, got into position at the water hole to effect an ambush.
Poor shooting and saving throws on the Sultanate side, led to them suffering mounting casualties until down to 25% they legged it.
The British mobile machine guns caused about 1/5th of the Sultanate casualties.