Chapter VIII: Zanzibar Arrives At Dongolo

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EXPEDITION TO ALEXANDRAPOUR
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Date: 3-6 August 1900
Location: Legation City of Dongolo
Situation: Disembarkation
See Chapter VII posted 1 November 2011 here:
http://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2011/11/chapter-vii-gaunlet.html

Map here: http://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2011/07/chapter-vi-spy.html

Musical accompaniment: If you have the soundtrack from Lawrence of Arabia, play the overture as your read. Or... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuxHLzwlDY4
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Preface

Lt. Col. Lawford's passage up The Dakla River aboard HM Gunboat Zanzibar ends at the Legation City of Dongolo. After a pause, the pursuit of the Romanov Expedition to Alexandrapour and Countess Alexandra will resume.

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The Legation City Of Dongolo, Mafrica

3 August 1900

At the eastern gate....

A Germanian Schütztruppe squadron returns from patrol.

Inhabitants gather round to observe and hopefully make some money but....

The camelry rides on as....

Gunboat Luchs of the Imperial Germanian Kriegsmarine raises steam to depart.

The helm is put hard a starboard to help turn the gunboat almost in place.

The turn is successful as she heads out into The Dakla River.

Dockspace is needed for....

HM Britannian Gunboat Zanzibar. On the upper deck Nazeem, Lt. Colonel Lawford (blue shirt) and Mr. Wyatt observe the Germanian compound.

Zanzibar motors by and...

Enters the harbour.

Led by the pilot boat which has been with her from the beginning.

A slow turn to port soon....

Finds Zanzibar making the dock and later disembarking a portion of the crew.

Her sailors form at dockside whilst a section of Britannian infantry stand guard.

Lawford and Wyatt proceed down the dock escorting the wounded Colonel Boyle.

Boyle was wounded by plunging fire four days ago on 31 July. See:

http://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2011/11/chapter-vii-gaunlet.html

The party crosses the bridge.

Wyatt: "Colonel, our legation is just round to the right of the American building. Ours is the old Iberian government house we took over last year."

Inhabitants again gather to sell their wares as Britannian and American guards cast a watchful eye and keep the natives away. Though his wound is not mortal, in this heat Boyle needs immediate care from medicos.

His wound is on the side of the abdomen.

Soon he will be resting within.

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Three days later:   6 August 1900

Left to right: Chargé d’affaires, Brigadier (ret.) Graham Day's servant Jitters, Day, Wyatt and Lawford.

Day: "Lawford, Wyatt, very good to see you."

Lawford: "When did you arrive Sir? We last saw you on the coast a month ago."

Day: "Last night. Surprised to see me -- I know. Wyatt you keep a good secret."

Wyatt: "You see Colonel, we did not want foes to see him board Zanzibar with us. As far as they know, the Consul General never left the port of Dakla."

Day: "Quite so. Secrets are everything in these parts. [Pause] And now after some refreshment and a tolerable curried chicken, we'll talk about the mission versus those infernal Romanovs."

Return in on the 5th proximo to hear the discussion.

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Closing Remarks

1. Jim P., Der Alte Fritz, kindly loaned the following from his collection: Tiger Miniatures Schütztruppe and Americans available from Recreational Conflict, Gunboat Luchs from The Virtual Armchair General, the pilot boat and the small stuccoed  building near the bridge from H.G. Walls. Thank you.

2. Chuck L.'s civilians, pots, boxes and reeds add much to the scene. Thank you.

3. Randy F. also loaned civilians to populate Dongolo. Thank you.

4. All flags with poles are from Flag Dude.

5.Most other structures are from Miniature Building Authority.

6. The cobbled road is from JR Miniatures.

7. The dock was scratch-built for a model railroad layout.

8. The late Brigadier Peter Young gifted The Petrus Monument to me in 1985. It is near the dock. Thank you.

9. Chapter IX is already photographed. Action will heat up with the arrival of Countess Alexandra's expedition and Colonel Lawford's pursuit. Come back on the 5th proximo, if you please.

10. Thank you for your interest. Your remarks are very welcome below. Simply click on the word Comments.

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In Memorium

Sparks (January 18, 1997-January 9, 2012) 

Sparkling Diamonds of Snowwood,

Sparky, Pup, Mr. Sparks, Sparkies,

Big Fellah, Good Fellah, My Blessing, Big Guy,

My Good Boy, GooOD-NEsss and My Friend.

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He lasted until January 9th, 2012 after nearly fifteen years of love, adventure, fun and enormous satisfaction.
He was a wonderful gift and blessing for us.
The above photo of him is before he started becoming unwell a few years ago.
A magnificent and peaceful dog. A credit to the breed.
Oh the memories....
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In the blue Suburban anticipating aromas and sites.

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Dalmatians typically have black spots.

Sparks had "liver-colored" spots of dark chocolate brown.

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Sparks loved walking Trinity Wetland Habitat Conservatory.

Now he has another lovely place to walk, sniff and play.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

May the reason for Christmas fill your homes.
Blessings to all.
Respectfully,
Bill

Chapter VII: The Gauntlet

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EXPEDITION TO ALEXANDRAPOUR
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Date: 31 July 1900
Location: Dakla River
Situation: The Gauntlet
Recommendation: See Chapter VI posted 24 July 2011 here:
http://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2011/07/chapter-vi-spy.html
The map shown here will be singularly helpful in following the journey
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Clicked Images Are Extraordinarily Better
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We resume the story of Lt. Col. Lawford's Journey Up The Dakla River.

The Dakla River near the city of Azrou. A pilot boat....

Leads HM Gunboat Zanzibar up river.

On the main deck amidships we see Nazim at the ladder, Colonel Lawford in the blue shirt, Politico Mr. Albert Wyatt in khaki and the enigmatic Colonel Boyle at his cabin door.

Zanzibar's crew exercises the forward gun while others observe adjacent hills. Her speed is only four knots in this narrow and safe section of The Dakla but....

The serenity of the river passage is shockingly altered when shots are fired from the eastern ridge top.

Zanzibar's crew swings around the forward gun and fires, sailors armed with rifles shoot and the Gatling peppers the hillside. Lawford ducked whilst Wyatt and Boyle  moved out of sight.

The Gatling suppresses enemy fire.

But Colonel Boyle is hit and lying on the main deck as....

Zanzibar increases speed moving out of range of enemy fire.

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. Readers are kindly reminded this is Part VII of a second serial story on the Campaigns of General Pettygree blog. Part VI, The Spy, appeared here on 24 July 2011. This story and General Pettygree's Surajistan Field Force (Chapter 55 recently posted) are occurring at the same time.

2. Col. Lawford was detached from Gen. Pettygree's command due to his unique knowledge of whom he is pursuing. Tally-Ho Colonel!

3. The map mentioned at the very beginning is here: http://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2011/07/chapter-vi-spy.html

4. Gunboat: A Houston vessel bought from The Virtual Armchair General. http://www.thevirtualarmchairgeneral.com/500-houston.html

5. Crew: Mostly Perry Sudan Naval Brigade painted by John Preece.

6. The water product from Scenic Express is terrific. See: http://www.sceneryexpress.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NH60851 

7. Ahoy there lads! Your remarks are entirely welcome.

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Chapter 55: Into The Pass

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THE SURAJISTAN FIELD FORCE
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Date: 8-12 July 1900
Location: An Unnamed Mountain Pass
Situation: Marching Deeper Into The Interior
Recommendation: See Chapter 54
Right Click Images To See More
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Surajistan Field Force

The Battle of The Amla on June 30th. temporarily stopped General Pettygree's Surajistan Field Force from pursuing the Thugee Host. A halt of seven days was ordered to rest, bring up supplies and allow the lightly wounded to recover. On 8 July you may remember a singular incident occurred as the Imperials began crossing The Amla River. Let us briefly return to that day when....

8 JULY 1900

Soon after the Advance Guard crossed the Amla River, a Romanov officer was unexpectedly brought to Lt. Caddy RE. A state of war did not exist with the Romanovs so far as anyone knew at that time.

Lt. Caddy: "Who the deuce are you?"

Lucy: "Snorts and whinnies!"

Romanov Officer: "Kapitan Golitsyn.

Caddy: "Sir, may I inquire about your business here?"
Golitsyn: "I am to speak to the General Pettygree."
Caddy: "He is across the river which I pray you know."
Golitsyn: "Da (yes)"
Caddy: "Soon Sir -- when I can assemble an escort."

When circumstances permitted, Golitsyn was taken to General Pettygree not as a prisoner of war but rather as an uninvited guest. At the evening campfire....

Kapitan Golitsyn: "Your hospitality is appreciated."

General Pettygree: "A professional courtesy Sir. [All pause.] Shall I assume you were associated with the Tug attack on the 30th ultimo?"

Golitsyn: "A state of war does not exist between our two nations. We did not engage your force though several of my party were regrettably slain by your random artillery fire. I was near an explosion, apparently experienced a blackout and was left behind in the tumult of retreat. Your men found me."

Pettygree: "You are observers then?"

Golytsyn: "I can only say my government views the shocking increase in Thugee strength, their intractable fanaticism and many natural advantages of terrain as destabilizing in the region. Your survival keeps them in check and less able to to trouble our southern border with their malevolence. Should you be vanquished, the Czar must naturally seek means to reduce the menace."

Pettygree: "Well captain, I intend to end the menace by diplomacy or the bayonet. Meanwhile, there is the matter of your immediate future. In the morning you will accompany the party returning to Fort Grant with the wounded. I daresay our politicos will assist with your next destination."

12 JULY 1900:  FOUR DAYS LATER

After four days of marching the Advance Guard entered another mountain pass. The 2/10th Hussars are in the distance followed by 1st. Sikh piquets. Riders are coming in to report to Captain Khambatta.

Trooper Corey: "Captain Sachs' compliments Sir."
Captain Khambatta: "What news?"
Trooper Hamm: "Sir. No enemy in sight around the hairpin curve just ahead."

Accordingly the march continued. Khambatta's two piquet lines keep wary eyes looking in all directions. The Main Guard of twelve Sikhs reinforced by a screw gun are ready just behind to render immediate assistance if needed. The rest of the battalion follows in column of march.

Behind the battalion rides Colonel Preece and the greatly reduced 1/10th Hussars. The squadron commander, Captain Bartlett, remains in hospital. Preece has taken over designating it as his headquarters troop.

The hairpin turn is easily negotiated by the aforementioned units plus the 27th Bombay Miners and Sappers (dark khaki uniforms) and the leading company of the 2nd. Sikh Battalion (right center). Let's reposition to the rear of the 2nd. Sikhs now shall we?

The 2nd. Sikhs marching in two divisions are near full strength. The 1st. Mountain battery follows them.

A better view of the 2nd. Sikh Battalion and 1st Mountain Battery.

Following the light guns are three Jumbos limbered with two 15 Pounder rifles and one ancient 12 Pounder smoothbore.

As The Column marches around the hairpin curve, more Imperial units come into view. Following the Jumbo's and their heavy guns are the 66th Foot Berkshires, supply elements, the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders and the celebrated 9th Bengal Lancers. Where is General Pettygree?

He rides his grey stallion Express at the head of the Berkshires.

As we return to the Advance Guard and the infantry piquet, a critical aspect of mountain marching is....

 Flank protection and....

"Crowning the heights."

Measures such as these prevented surprise attacks and sniping at the vulnerable column especially the animals. Without sufficient numbers of them all would grind to a halt resulting in mission failure.

 It would be like....

Shooting fish in a barrel.

The head of The Column has come to a halt. Troopers Corey and Ham signalled Captain Sachs to come forward.

That's them behind cover (right center) looking over a slight rise of ground into the distance.

Captain Sachs: "What do you see troopers?"

Trooper Ham: "Begg'n yer pardon Sir, I can't say I know."

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. Attrition has affected every unit marching in The Surajistan Field Force. For example, the Berkshires have lost approximately 50%. It can be very easy to track losses, recovered wounded and reinforcements. Assign 1D6 per casualty marking the six possibilities with whatever makes sense to you. For example: 1 = KIA or Invalided Home, 2-4 = Remain in hospital and 5-6 Lightly Wounded Recovers. Results would be worse for those without modern medical assistance - for 1900 that is. Keep it generous though to keep your campaign going. 

2. An extremely useful book aimed at junior officers is, Lessons In Imperial Rule. Instructions For British Infantrymen On The Indian Frontier by General Sir Andrew Skeen. The abundance of information germane to Colonial gaming will be prodigiously relevant from skirmish tabletop games to anything larger. See: http://www.naval-military-press.com/india-1908-39/

3. Thank you for your interest. Comments are always welcome below.

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