ConfederateSS wrote:----------Battle of Istabulat/ Storyline------
------------Park V: Sam. Off.------
-----------April 21st,1917------
--------I Wayward Day have been sent out by Gen. Maude to join and report on the unit known as Black Watch. As Khalil Pasha has gone to Istabulat to regroup his Ottoman forces. Gen. Maude has sent in the Black Watch unit to go after him.
------As I leave camp, I can see some of the Infantry Brigades coming back from their hard fight at Shiala. As they rescued a trapped British cavalry brigade. Kept them from being wiped out by the Turks. I wave to them as I pass by. After a few hours through the sand and strong wind. I finally reach the Black Watch unit.
------As I make my way into the unit's camp. I see 2 soldiers sitting on some rocks. I head towards them. As they signal me over. I am already off my horse. As I walk to them, dusting off my clothes, full of sand. I shout,"Hello, I am Major Wayward Day,Gen. Maude has sent me to your unit!".The 2 of them laugh.
------"I am Lt. John Reginald Graham.",says the Lt..
------"Hello Major, I am Private Charles Melvin, but you can call me "Chay".",he says smiling.
------As I shake their hands, I feel a great since of honor. To be here with The Famed Black Watch,of the Scottish highlands. It is a well known group. That fights hard,with courage and honor. But I recognized Pvt. Melvin's name, as soon as he said it. When I was little, I visited Scotland once. I remember seeing his Victoria Cross in a museum,in Perth,Scotland. I didn't say or do anything to let him know his destiny. Or that I am from the Future. After an hour of talking about desert fighting. We went our separate ways. Night was going to be on us soon. We all needed to get a good rest. As we are to move out for Istabulat at 2 am. As I awoke to camp preparing for battle. All I could see was dust flying everywhere. Our troops ready to go, we set off after Khalil Pasha and his 6th army.
------Our assault on the Ottoman Position at Istabulat started on the early morning of April 21st,1917. The 92 Punjabis had joined the battle. They advanced on Istabulat station. They successfully led an assault and took the position. Then dug themselves in front of the main position, half a mile beyond the Turkish trenches. At 6:30 am, our Black Watch unit, joined by some Gurkhas reached the foot of the high ridge. Where the enemy laid in waiting for our assault. I found cover behind some sand dunes. Meanwhile the Gurkhas and Black Watch were reaching their objectives almost at the same time. The Gurkhas captured close to 200 Turks, in a small fort. As the Turkish defense was not as strong, as other places along their trenches.
------But in a fort near Dujail the Turk's defenses were stronger. Around 6:45am, Black Watch had cleared the strong point. But The Turks quickly regrouped their forces, and counter attacked. The Turks were able to retake the area,from Black Watch. But at 7:15am The Highlanders pushed the Turks away from this position. As this strong point was now back in British hands. However the Highlanders paid a heavy price. As the lost 10 officers and 173 enlisted men in the fighting.
------The Ottomans launched 7 counter attacks along the banks of the Dujail river. For over 2 hours the 2 armies fought hand to hand combat. Finally the British secured the north bank of the river. As I continue to follow the battle through my field glasses.
------During the fight for the north bank, I seen acts of courage, from the 2 Black Watch soldiers, I meet 1st in this unit. As Black Watch moved closer to the enemy across the sea of sand. Lt. Graham led his machine gun crews that had joined the 56th Punjabi Rifles(Frontier force). They charged across open ground, under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire from the Turks. When his men became casualties, he helped carry ammo during the battle. Even though he was wounded 2 times himself. He continued to advance as he controlled his guns. He was able to lay down accurate fire on the Turks. Who were planning and massing for a counter attack. The gun he had was put out of action by the Turk's rifle fire. As he was wounded for a 3rd time. As the Turks closed in, he was forced to leave his gun, but he destroyed it more making it useless. As he ran across the battlefield, he came across a "Lewis" machine gun. He used it until it was out of ammo, as he mowed down as many Turks as he could. He was wounded for a 4th time, this time severely, do to loss of blood,Lt. Graham finally left the battle.
------As I scanned the fighting through my field glasses. I see what I had already knew. Pvt. Melvin and his fellow men were pinned down, as they waited for help, only 50 yards from the enemy trenches. Pvt. Melvin quickly jumped up, rushed head on towards the enemy by himself. Over ground being swept end to end by rifle and machine gun fire. He finally made it to the Turkish trench. He stopped, fired 2 or 3 shots into the trench. Killing 1 or 2 Turks. As other Turks in the trench continued to fired at him. He jumped into the trench. His rifle broken. He attacked them with his bayonet, in his hand. Being attacked by a mad man, the Turks fled to their 2nd line of defense. But not before, Pvt. Melvin killed 2 more and disarmed 8 Turks and 1 wounded Turk, as he took them prisoner.
------After helping the wounded Turk. He got them out of the trench. He took them back towards the British forces, turned the prisoners over. He then grabbed a new rifle, a load of ammo, returned to the firing line. Where he reported his actions to his platoon SGT.. All this was done, not only under fire from rifles and machine guns. But on their way back to British lines. Pvt. Melvin and his prisoners were exposed to a very heavy artillery barrage. Through out the day Lt. Graham and Pvt. Melvin's actions greatly kept up moral, confidence, and courage in their fellow soldiers. Which helped the British to not let their left flank from being smashed by the Turks. Leading to victory over the Turks. Both men received the Victoria Cross for their actions.
------Around the same time, I was watching through my field glasses. The 9th Bhopals attempted a flanking movement but over shot their objectives and came under fire from the fortified banks of the Dujail river. 200 fell quickly, including great losses among their officers. South of the canal, one company of the 28th Punjabis advanced in line with the 21st (Bareily)Brigade. The Seaforths on their left launched their attacks some 3 hours later. Driving the Turks from their 1st line of defense.
------The Plan was to press on 1st on the right with the 21st Brigade was to give the Ottomans led by Khalil Pasha. A line of retreat to the left. To distract the Turks attention as much as possible from the troops, who had to advance over more open ground. But the Ottoman position held out all day. It was not until early morning under cover of darkness. On April 22nd, the Turks withdrew from their positions. Later pulled out of Istabulat.
------As the smoke, sand, and dust of the battle clear up. I say goodbye to the men of Black Watch. Hop on my horse, try to make my way back to Gen. Maude's main force. Through the dark of night and sea of sand I ride. As I go over the battle I just seen, in my head. The wind hits me in the face. From time to time. Giving me some peace of mind, as I try and stay focused in the saddle...I still feel sad that Pvt. Melvin will be killed in his next battle. He reminds me of RAMBO...
--------Battle of Istabulat/ Tournament-----
---------Part V: Sam. Off.-----
--------1/3.....................21 Player Tournament-----
----------Wayward Day's Diary: April 21st,1917-----
---------------The Battle of Istabulat was a clash of blood in the sand. As the British Empire trys to push the Ottoman Empire out of the Middle East once and for all. Part of The Samarrah Offensive,a plan of General Frederick Stanley Maude. A British force of 45,000 would try and take a rail yard at Samarrah, which supplied and could reinforce the Turkish army of Khalil Pasha, which stood at 10,000 men. As Khalil was preparing to strike at the British, with help from Ali Ishan Bey's 15,000 troops , who just had been beaten by the Russians. As the rush to meet Khalil's 10,000 men. Gen. Maude was able to cut of Bey's troops and push them back. Take the railyard from Khalil, stopping the Ottoman Empire's hopes in retaking Baghdad and the rest of the region, once and for all. A slam the door ,British Victory.
Round 1)(Like Bridge over the river Kwai,madness)
21 players start and 14 move on.Maps:Madness,Orient Express 1883,Transsibi 1914:3,1-vs-1 games on each map:Standard,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,Chained,20 Rounds.
Round 2)(Black Watch Units join the battle)
14 players start and 7 move on,Scores Reset,Maps:Scotland,Wales,England:3,7 player games on each map:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,Chained,20 Rounds.
Round 3)(Khalil Pasha holds down the fort)
7 players start,Scores Reset,Maps:Trench Warfare,WWI Ottoman Empire:5,7 player games on each map:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,Chained,20 Rounds.
-- CSS
I was about to ask...
