Kavkaz Campaign - a Busy Week.

Turcowaz attack at Zugdidi - afternoon, June 11, 1875

Kavkaz Campaign - developments from 7-15 June

Campaign moves:

7 June: J♣  

• Coastal Column detaches 1st (Grenadier) Division to reinforce Kavkaz Column (2 hex move);
• Troop convoy travels down the sea coast (2 hex move).

8 June: 4♠   

• Kavkaz Column carries out moderately effective recon at Gakhomela - 2 days' march SE of       Zugdidi (Recce DR = 5);
• Troop convoy continues down the sea coast (1 hex).

9 June: 6♣  

• Troop convoy continues down sea coast (1 hex);
• No action by Zugdidi garrison (Coastal Column).

10 June: 5♥ 

• Trebizond Command carries out reconnaissance of Zugdidi. Discovers indications that the garrison has been weakened by detachments (Recce DR = 4);
• TNS Hamidiye patrols northeastward towards Inguri River mouth (1 hex).

11 June: 3♥  

• Trebizond command attacks: Second Battle of  Zugdidi;
• TNS Hamidiye patrols NE towards Inguri River mouth (1 hex)

12 June: 9♣   

• Izumrud-Zeleniya Coastal Command retires one day's march up coast road to Sakhumi;
• Troop convoy continues SE (1 hex).

13 June: 7♦   

• Kars Command carries out recce of Zeleniyan position at Gakhomela (Recce DR =  4)             and discovers that enemy has been reinforced;
• TNS Hamidiye continues NE (1 hex).

14 June:  4♣   

• Coastal Column halts its retreat;
• Convoy alters course to approach shore at the point where the coast road veers inland (1 hex move).

15 June:  5♠   

• Kavkaz Command strikes the Turcowaz column led by Abdul Ameer: Battle of                      Gakhomela; 
  
  
  
• Convoy prepares to land its troops upon the shore.  No sign yet of any Turcowaz naval activity.
  

(16 June: JOKER drawn)

Strategic situation up to 15 June.

Since my deck does not distinguish the Joker by red or black (it being a Canasta deck - actually Samba, three deck Canasta), I diced for which side was affected by a Special event (see Portable Colonial Wargames - p109 in my hardback copy).  Odds, Turcowaz; evens, Izumrud-Zeleniya.  Rolled a 5, Turcowaz affected.  Then rolled a '1'.

Disaster!  'The side may not move any of its formations for four turns of the cards'. The way this is designed, it would have the effect of the enemy rolling four black cards in a row. For some reason, the Turcowaz Forces have stalled. A logistical breakdown perhaps? I can foreshadow right now that this will have a serious impact upon the whole campaign.

Drawing the Joker also heralds a reshuffling of the card deck.

To be continued: Second Battle of Zugdidi.