Captain Jones-Webley read the report for a second time.  For several weeks his men and their Arab allies had Jerry on the run, but now things looked like they might change.  Arab scouts were reporting the arrival of a German armored fighting machine in the village of Pattah.  A large armored fighting machine.

Up until now the largest vehicle the Germans and Turks had were some trucks and tractors used exclusively for transport.  Jones-Webley had enjoyed the advantage of having several armored vehicles in his command, including a troop of Royal Naval Air Service Rolls Royce armored cars, and a couple of Mk. IV male tanks.  Unfortunately, the later were in the shop for repairs.  Up until now he didn't even think that the Germans had developed a "tank", but, if the reports were to be believed, there it was, bigger than life, sitting in the village of Pattah smack in the middle of the desert.
 
The German A7V.
 
The Captain would not normally fret about something as insignificant as the introduction of a single enemy tank, but he had heard about the success of the British tanks at such engagements as Cambrai, and, not wanting to leave anything to chance, decided to embark upon a raid to destroy the "Kaiser's Terror Weapon."  Quickly reciting orders to his aide, his mixed force set off at midnight, their arrival outside of Pattah scheduled for around dawn.
 
The entrances into the village had recently been reinforced by the German and Turkish defenders, and machinegun pits had been placed to cover them.  The residents were just beginning their day as the combined British and Arab force deployed in almost total silence in the surrounding dunes.  By the time the German and Turkish infantry had stood-to for morning muster, Captain Jones-Webley was ready to launch his attack.  With a wave of his hand, the Arab cavalry rushed forward, their undulating war cries rending the still morning air.  Pondering the cliché, Jones-Webley ordered his supporting 13 pounder to open fire in an attempt to silence the German's 77mm gun.
 
The initial Arab charge!
 
The first round missed the 77mm, instead smashing into a nearby building, which was just as well as it wounded a few of the Turkish infantry who were attempting to dodge muster!
 
The yells of the Arabs and the explosion of the 13 pounder shell had the garrison up and moving in no time.  A section of Turkish infantry rushed to the main village gates and up onto the roof of a nearby house.
 
The Turks take up position on a roof.
 
Pattah was not completely walled in yet as the defenders had not had enough time to complete the work.  Because of this, the two sides of the village were completely exposed, and the Arab cavalry were spurring their mounts straight for the openings!  If they were to enter the village, they would no doubt claim many German and Turkish lives.  Seeing this, the German commander barked orders to his infantry.  These veterans of the Italian theater had not yet been issued their desert kit, and were still wearing their European clothing.  Grabbing their Mausers, they ran for the exposed edge of the village and prepared to open fire on the rapidly approaching Arabs.  Meanwhile, the Turk officers urged their men to the other side of town.
 
The Germans prepare to open fire on the cavalry.
 
The German fire stopped the Arab charge on that flank after a few volleys.  Near the front of the village, however, things were going much better for the attackers.

A Turkish MG'08 had been placed in front of the village gates.  The crew were late becoming aware of the attack, however, and only managed to fire a single burst at the charging Arabs.  In seconds they were all cut down!
 
The Arabs overwhelm the MG'08 crew!
 
Not content with slaughtering the MG crew, the Arabs quickly circled the village, looking for fresh victims.
 
The cavalry and armored car join up.
 
Near the rear or town, the cavalry was overtaken by one of the RNAS armored cars, which paused at edge of Pattah to spray some Vickers fire amongst the defenders.  It was moving too fast for accurate fire, however, and it sped on into the center of town.
 
Back at the front of the village, some dismounted Arabs rushed the MG nest that had been cleared by the cavalry, only to find that some Turks had snuck out and remanned the works!  Turkish rifle fire began to pour into the Arabs, who quickly found themselves pinned to the spot.
 
Surprise!
 
In the center of town the crew of the A7V had been frantically trying to start the engine as the RNAS armored car rushed the tank, firing its MMG as fast as it would allow.  The bullets spanged off the armored behemoth, creating some splash on the inside but causing no casualties.  Although the engine would not start, the A7V's gun certainly worked, and the crew opened fire just as the armored car raced past.  A direct hit!  Flipping and rolling as it burst into flames, the tangled wreckage came to rest near its foe.
 
The A7V hits and kills one of the RNAS armored cars!
 
As the battle ebbed and flowed the German commander reorganized his men, sending many of them to the front of the village as it appeared that the next wave of attacks would come from that direction.
 
Germans and Turks redeploy to the front of town.
 
Captain Jones-Webley was beginning to see his troops waver, and, sensing the critical moment was at hand, drew his revolver and headed into the thick of the action as more of his Arab infantry approached Pattah under a hail of fire.  It was just at that moment that the German 77mm gun scored a direct hit on the second of the British armored cars, putting it out of action.
 
The battle continues!
 
Jones-Webley led a unit of Arabs into one of the buildings on the outskirts of town, and from there they poured fire into some nearby Turks, quickly silencing them.  Unfortunately for the Captain, some quick thinking Germans vaulted the village wall and threw a few stick grenades through the window.  With a blast and a flash, several of the Arabs were killed, and the rest began to look for places to hide!
 
A deadly fight for the building!
 
On the other side of town the last RNAS armored car stopped and poured fire into a couple of German infantry units who were distracted by events elsewhere.  Several were killed and the rest dove for cover.
 
Surprise!  The last armored car opens fire from the rear.
 
Unfortunately, it was too little, too late, for Captain Jones-Webley and his command.  The Arabs had fought bravely but there was no way they were going to get into town.  The last armored car was incapable of taking out the A7V, and the 13 pounder, which had lobbed mostly inaccurate shell fire into Pattah all morning, had been eliminated by a shell from the 77mm gun so ably manned by the German crew.  Trapped in the building and taking heavy fire, his men all killed, wounded or unwilling to continue, the Captain surrendered, his only comfort being that he knew the war would likely soon be over and he would be freed then, if not sooner.
 
"I give up!"  The Captain surrenders.
 
The remainder of the British and Arab forces withdrew into the surrounding sand dunes and headed for home.  There would be another day, and another battle, only next time they would win!

This game, like so may of ours, was run at a Chico Game Club meeting held at Mangrove Games.  One of the great things about Rampant Colonialism! is that you can accommodate multiple players with little difficulty.  This event had eight players, four per side, and the action was fast and furious with the entire game being played out over about two-and-a-half hours.
 
The above story has altered somewhat from the reality, mostly to accommodate the photos that came out.  As you can see, the above photos are not my best - they were the first taken with my new camera and I was still working out the kinks.  Many of the photos did not turn out, including all those of the British Mk. IV male tank.  Fortunately, it had little impact on the battle, and was eventually destroyed by the A7V, so leaving it out of the story is no big deal.
 
This was not a big battle, but was our first with vehicles.  All the vehicles photographed are by Reviresco, and boy are they beautiful!  The figures are a mix of Tin Soldier, IT Figures, and B&B.  They all have their good points, but overall the IT Figures are the best, and what a pleasure to paint.  The buildings are a mix of Hovels and Village Green.  The former you can get from Wargames, and the later from the US representative, The Miniature Service Center.