Wargaming Italian Colonial wars 1885-1900 (1): Historical sources and different campaigns

In addition to my Risorgimento Wargaming, I've been lately interested in Italian Colonial Wars in the 1880s and 1890s, which culminated in the (in)famous defeat at Adowa (or Adwa - Adua in Italian) against the Ethiopians. It was a rather short period (less than 20 years) but full of political intrigue, battles and encounters small and large, and therefore it offers lots of wargaming possibilities.

Historical sources

Aside from looking at actual historical sources (chronicles, memories, etc...), the modern wargamer (especially if Italian) can rely on two main books. The first is "Le Guerre Coloniali Italiane 1885-1900" (Italian Colonial Wars 1885-1900), by Raffaele Ruggeri, edited by De Bello. The De Bello series is a sort of Italian-made Osprey-like books, but with more pages and more extensive information - more like a campaign book than a MAA, for example. It's in Italian, but all photos, maps and pictures have both Italian and English captions, and at the end there's an extensive English summary of the main concepts in the book. While premium for Italian-speaking readers, it can give some info to the English-speaking ones too, and is currently the best one regarding actual information on military operations and battles. It has Osprey-level images (by the Author himself) that are very accurate and a large amount of historical pictures. I'm lucky to have it (thanks to my father) but it's currently out of print and can be found only 2nd hand or through specialized bookshops.

De Bello book

Ruggeri is so good that he was asked by Osprey to contribute to their book on Adowa too. The "Armies of the Adowa Campaign 1896" is by Sean McLachlan, but images are again by Ruggeri and his work by De Bello is cited. McLachlan adds more information about the actual place and more details about Adowa battle in particular and about the organizations of the two armies, so in my opinion the two books nicely complement each other.

Osprey book

Personally, I don't own the Osprey book in English, but its translation in Italian by LEG (Libreria Editrice Goriziana) which has a license by Osprey to translate its books in Italian and does a very good job. LEG usually puts an ad-hoc cover but otherwise it's 100% the Osprey book, including the illustrations inside.

Translated Osprey book by LEG

Different campaigns

The whole period can be divided into roughly 3 phases, all of which can provide plenty of both historical and fictional (but plausible) wargaming opportunities. The events described below are just a short summary to give a minimum of context and the years shown for each phase are indicative.

1st phase: 1885-1888

It's the first phase of Italy's colonial adventure. Great Britain, faced with the difficult Mahdi revolt in Sudan and not trusting the Ethiopians on the south, approved Italy's enterprise in and near Massaua (current Eritrea). It would ultimately prove to be a good idea for Great Britain (see second phase below). This phase saw the initial Italian penetration into the region at a time of major divisions between the local tribes and Ras. While nominally under Negus Johannes, the Ethiopians are actually divided. A bad Italian defeat at Dogali by Ras Alula in 1887 saw a decisive response by the Italian government with a major expedition of Italian troops that ultimately saw Negus Johannes negotiate peace in March 1888. Native troops used by Italy are mainly local tribes and bands ("Black Bands" and "Bashi Buzuks") under their own leaders, often unreliable (even changing side in a few occasions).

Wargaming: there are several options for exploring missions and expeditions, and small and large battles against locals and Ethiopians.

2nd phase: 1890-1894

In 1888 most of the Italian troops are sent back to Italy and regular units of Ascari natives (English: Askari) are created. They will prove capable and generally very reliable, with several reports of endurance in combat and loyalty to their Italian officers. They will replace most of the tribal bands of the first phase, even if some groups are still employed. 

During this phase the Ethiopians are mostly involved in internal disputes: Negus Johannes is killed in battle while facing the Sudanese Dervishes, and Menelik starts his rise to power and ultimate establishment of a unified Empire that culminates in him becoming Negus Neghesti in 1889. Due to this and the Treaty of Wuchale of the same year between Italy and Menelik (which also marks the official creation of the Italian colony under the name of "Eritrea"), the Italian colony is able to organize and expand, exploiting the divided local rivals. In 1893 Menelik repudiates the treaty, opening the path to future war. During this phase, however, thanks to an agreement with the British government, Italy faces for the first time the Sudanese Mahdists. From 1890 the Italians win several victories (mainly using Ascari troops, which prove their worth time and again), especially a major one at Kassala in 1894 which is cheered even in London at a time when British forces in the north were still struggling. The Italians used different tactics from the British and the Dervishes were surprised by this. The Dervishes will still occasionally attack the Italians until 1896 at least but less threateningly. Some British scholars argue that the Italian victories in 1894 ultimately drained Mahdist forces and proved to be a key factor in allowing the British to win later on. Italy will eventually give back Kassala (in Sudan) to the British in December 1897, given the costs and difficulty of keeping a garrison there due to its position so far away from the Italian main base in Eritrea.

Wargaming: both Ethiopians and especially Mahdists/Dervishes are possible enemies for Italian (both Europeans and Ascari) troops. Fictional "joint efforts" by Italian and British troops are possible too, if players so desire. Playing the expedition to Kassala could be an usually under-played but interesting topic to explore.

3rd phase: 1895-1896

Starting time could be debatable (first clashes happen in 1894), but anyway it mainly deals with the 1st Italo-Ethiopian War. After the treaty of Wuchale has been repudiated by Menelik in 1893, fights start between Italians and local leaders, and at the end of 1894 Italy starts the conquest of Tigray, with several victories in 1895. Menelik finally calls the Kitet (general muster) in September 1895 and prepares to counterattack against the Italians who receive reinforcements from Italy (mainly unenthusiastic troops). The campaign will culminate with the battle of Adowa in March 1896 and the decisive defeat of the Italians. The later period between 1896 and 1900 is mostly uneventful, due to Menelik being unwilling to crush the Italian colony (which he thought would have caused a renewed, larger invasion, see the British reaction against the Zulus after Ishlandwana) and the peace talks. The war officially ends in October 1896. In the subsequent years Ethiopians concentrate on expanding the Empire to the south while Italians reorganize and deal with local rebellions. The Italian colonial adventure will continue in Somalia shortly after 1900 and Libya in 1911. Italy will conquer Ethiopia only in 1935, but that is another story.

Wargaming: the Adowa campaign is the main theme here, both the big battle and smaller encounters. Several what ifs about Italian troops quality or command, and/or Ethiopian squabbles between various chieftains (ras). Various kinds of side actions (real or fictional) are possible.


Part 2 will deal with possible 1/72 plastic minis that can be used for wargaming and which rules I'll use.

My wargaming projects

Some thoughts about my wargaming projects.

As looks evident from my previous posts, the Italian Risorgimento is a primary interest for me wargaming-wise, especially regarding scenarios and playing games (mainly with Neil Thomas' Wargaming 19th Century Europe rules). Can't do much about it now regarding minis, because 1/72 plastics scale there're very few kits that touch this topic and those who do are not easy to come by. Of course there're good 28mm (Mirliton, Cibo's Little Dudes, Gringo40s...) or 15mm (Mirliton) metal sets, but the cost (especially for 28mm) compared to 1/72 plastics is a no go.

Another two projects concern Napoleonics and eventually 7 Years War, both (especially Napoleonic) are well covered in 1/72 and I already own several sets, which I'm currently painting at a slow pace and use for proxies for 1848. I'm still thinking about which ruleset to use, however.

Finally, I'm considering Colonial warfare, in particular Italy vs Dervishes and Italy vs Ethiopians in the 1880s-1890s. Few proper 1/72 options exists, but British colonials could work as acceptable proxies for Italian regulars, while Egyptians and Sudanese regulars could work for Askaris. I guess I may find something valid for Ethiopians somewhere... Dervishes are instead already covered. Besides, the same minis could work for other Colonial theaters too (Sudan, NWF, Zulu Wars...). Rules would be The Men Who Would Be Kings (TMWWBK), which I've already ordered and should arrive soon.

1848 Mincio Campaign - Battle of the Bridge of Goito report

After setting up the scenario map and defining the order of battle, I was able to play the battle. Here is the report.

Scenario Deployment (Goito is on the Western side of the river)

All Austrian units deploy on the map first.

The Jagers deploy inside Goito.

Radetzky Hussars deploy near the town.

The two Oguliner Infantry units and the Artillery deploy on the Eastern side of the river, at player's discretion. Their deployment is made before the Piedmontese player rolls to see where and when his reinforcements enter.

Only one Piedmontese unit deploys at start, rest enters as reinforcements.

Aosta Cavalleria deploys on the hill facing south. It can't move on turn 1 because it's regrouping its detachments. From turn 2 it acts as normal.

Other units roll 2 dice for arrival: 1 die indicates turn of arrival; the other die indicates whether it arrives at entry point "A" (the road) or "B" (near the hill).

You roll for each of the following groups:

• 2 Infantry units (9th Regiment)
• 2 Infantry units (10th Regiment)
• Bersaglieri
• Artillery

Deployment at start

The Austrians and the Piedmontese cavalry deploy as shown. The only "challenge" is deciding where to put the artillery. Not knowing where the Piedmontese would enter, I placed it where it could cover the road. It's the more exposed part of the Austrian deployment and if the attackers come strong from that side, the artillery will be valuable.

However, it wasn't so. Only the Bersaglieri ended up entering from "A" (the road), with the rest arriving at "B". Aside from this, all Piedmontese reinforcements arrived early and sequentially (actually, all infantry was rolled to arrive at turn 1, but I decided that the order of march would have an effect, so I made half of them enter one turn after the other): 9th regiment on turn 1, 10th regiment on turn 2, the Bersaglieri on turn 3 and artillery on turn 4.

The first Piedmontese infantry seen from Goito

Goito seen from the Piedmontese infantry.

The Regina brigade is marching in, while the Austrians decide
to move some infantry forward to reinforce the defense

The fact the attackers mostly came from just one side made the Austrian guns useless in that position. At the same time, however, the attacking columns were moving cross-country and would take time to deploy and reach Goito, which in turn would allow the Austrians to reinforce the forward positions. Ultimately, they decided to keep the artillery still in order to target the Bersaglieri or in case the enemy cavalry punched through.

Opposing cavalry face each other while the Regina brigade
starts to deploy in attack formation. Bersaglieri are
threatening the flank, but they won't do much this time.

Under these rules, you can't move the troops at will, they're quite slow (especially if turning) so careful deployment from march to attack formation is vital. The Regina brigade would attack in two lines (9th rgt in first line, 10th rgt in second line) so reserves would be ready if needed, with the cavalry protecting the flanks. Artillery was to be brought up to firing range to help the infantry.

This is why I like NT's rules: you don't concentrate on abstruse rule details or endless lists of modifiers: to win, you have to employ tactics that would really work, so you have to concentrate on those - decision points shape the game and results are indeed more historical than those allowed by more complex rulesets.

The battle was really fun to play and produced realistic results. The Piedmontese infantry suffered some fire from the Jagers, but managed to take the town. The Oguliners decided they couldn't let them keep it, so counterattacked and retook it for the Austrians. The Piedmontese unit from the 9th regiment now was too spent to react, but the 10th regiment in reserve was ready to take its place and attacked Goito again, eventually forcing the Oguliners back again. I liked this back and forth.

The Piedmontese attack on Goito

This was supposed to be a good picture... anyway it's Austrian
point of view after the Piedmontese take Goito

The Piedmontese artillery has deployed at short range while the
Austrians still hope to hold the road

Another view of the same situation, from the other side.

With no fresh reserves, the Austrians couldn't mount another counterattack. This was a good time for them to get the Jagers and at least one unit of infantry back across the river and try a last stand protecting the crossing - the Piedmontese artillery had finally reached close range and was ravaging the defenders. I thought they could wait one turn, but I was wrong, they were cut off from the line of retreat and even if now the artillery was redeployed, it wasn't enough.

By turn 14, the Piedmontese had cut off most defenders from the bridge and started crossing. I decided that on turn 15 the Austrians could still try to blow the bridge up (rolling on the teaser's table, but with the attackers already crossing they had a -1 modifier). They rolled a 1, which meant that the wiring was incomplete: the Piedmontese infantry finished crossing and that secured them a victory.

Endgame

One note on the side battle between the cavalry units on the Austrian left/Piedmontese right. With most attacking forces coming from the hill side, covering the road with infantry was going to be a waste for the Austrians, so they only kept the Radetzky Hussars there. Their objective was to cover the flank and exploit any opening in order to attack the enemy one. At start the Aosta Cavalleria charged the Hussars, but the latter held their ground and actually forced the enemy cavalry back, who however passed both their morale check and therefore remained a threat: the Piedmontese didn't charge again, as they now had a slight disadvantage in hits, but also forced the enemy cavalry to remain there. The Bersaglieri too appeared on that flank, but they uncharacteristically had a very bad shooting and were mostly only a nuisance. Still, they could threaten the bridge, so the Austrians wanted to charge them but couldn't exactly because of the nearby enemy cavalry. It was a game of cat and mouse: every time the Bersaglieri closed, the Hussars turned to face them and the Bersaglieri had to back off, but then the Aosta Cavalleria threatened the Hussars in the rear/flank, and they had to turn again to face them. In this way both sides protected their flanks while the infantry battle went on, but also meant they couldn't influence it. The retreating jaguars tried to help, but they were too were mostly inaccurate in their shooting. The situation changed at the end, when the Austrian infantry was so weakened that the Piedmontese artillery could turn towards the Austrian cavalry: the firepower was finally too much and the Hussars fled, just as the rest of their army was routing as well.

The Austrians are crumbling and the Piedmontese artillery
can turn towards the Austrian cavalry

Notes on the scenario: it ended up being quite balanced. The Piedmontese have superiority but their actual attack pattern depends on where they enter from and they still have to be fairly quick at advancing or risk arriving late at the bridge. The Austrians are outmatched in terms of troops and firepower, but are not powerless and can slow the enemy considerably and have some interesting questions: slow down the Piedmontese before they reach the bridge or contest the crossing? Leave Goito to the Skirmishers or put an infantry unit inside? When to retreat behind the bridge? Where to deploy the artillery? A good range of choices that can make it a different game every time.