Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Furt on June 27, 2016, 12:45:31 AM

Title: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Furt on June 27, 2016, 12:45:31 AM

Had a good game of Triumph & Tragedy set in the NWF, loosely based on the TSATF scenario "the Patrol". The idea is that a British patrol must repair a sabotaged telegraph cable within a small village while the dastardly Pathans come down from the hills and cause them havoc. Unfortunately I had to guess on the exact numbers of Pathans compared to British and rightly ballsed it up! The Brits made short work of the Pathans and were never truly threatened. To add injury to insult the Bengal cavalry reinforcements arrived on turn 1, the ancient Pathan cannon exploded on the first shot and when a furious mob of tribesmen finally did swarm the British screw gun, the wily Lieutenant chose to detonate the explosives he had hidden there, denying them the satisfaction. All in all a fun game with need of some tweaks to make it more playable.

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1wDy8cmtvA/V2-94sg6_EI/AAAAAAAACtc/iZ5HFEnbOeIg9ZOqjuoiq1uqNFlLDBCggCLcB/s1600/T%2526T%2BThe%2BPatrol%2BTable%2BSetup.jpg)
The initial setup

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x_irWWDOEM0/V2--Tn-s5iI/AAAAAAAACts/VXE-pR-3_pUsijpzTTuHd-VXMBl8T2hZwCLcB/s1600/DSCN4162.JPG)
The British in the village

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ0A4gQFBDg/V2--SgztduI/AAAAAAAACtk/o3q0hIteOo8dlc8yjD0AtSWciwzctbbpQCLcB/s1600/DSCN4163.JPG)
The most forward barricade

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fndk5DbHb68/V2--UDxvT6I/AAAAAAAACtw/9hANVQrC0PQBbtd2QpRBzgXqmidRWwGSwCLcB/s1600/DSCN4165.JPG)
The Guides and the Engineers

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOGf9N7qcQw/V2--VxImIvI/AAAAAAAACt4/M23Vk59rowMsxO_SvmAfA9q7EtoCND4YwCLcB/s1600/DSCN4166.JPG)
The screw gun

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FR7Os8W2_lk/V2--Xs7G-EI/AAAAAAAACuE/g4hyaqd1EzIp4IvfbObmd4WNxeWwB63VQCLcB/s1600/DSCN4168.JPG)
Lieutenant Sir Simon Carfax

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ3msMcp8C0/V2--nl0DeiI/AAAAAAAACuQ/MY3VHGpKPoIqJsrKo0TsOpRT51NrjPmkACKgB/s1600/DSCN4164.JPG)
The Pathans!

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URV9a72H8xM/V2--r6-LTGI/AAAAAAAACuo/gWCJrFiF1SMlmMmTl5TVjKTnaCg7LM1_QCKgB/s1600/DSCN4170.JPG)
The hills are swarming (with not enough) Pathans

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-phQgHB9VRhI/V2--vqLbnEI/AAAAAAAACuw/Ld3FduvEtlkqrk1jyJgUnqnpGg_zmU9pgCKgB/s1600/DSCN4172.JPG)
The (barely missed) cavalry arrive!

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2phjVqY7bg/V2-_OxXGuHI/AAAAAAAACvI/6BEZE0s-4IYkxexLV7hcPSaJLAxfAfDMACLcB/s1600/DSCN4175.JPG)
An archaic gun is rolled into place - it looks unlikely they'll get to fire it

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7EE-LBNKMw/V2-_UoeDY4I/AAAAAAAACvc/XjyyPw5IapoBLjMnWQDxp-vUitWL2okLgCLcB/s1600/DSCN4177.JPG)
The opening shots of the game. The Pathans suffered heavily from the great rolls and masses of suppression delivered by the Brits

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qfx_nnqzZ1Y/V2-_q9oYT5I/AAAAAAAACv0/dXlIRCasgnUbf3zGl-yUWOYKXd7Lgp20wCLcB/s1600/DSCN4179.JPG)
Redeploying British after their scouts determined that this side of the table was bare of hidden Pathans

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oVP0BwABh4/V2-_n4Ip-iI/AAAAAAAACvs/uYNOg-siPQEkXGeILaMDMx7lUbfBYic-gCLcB/s1600/DSCN4180.JPG)
The Bengal lancers turn to face a hidden threat...

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQ64eOEhgxI/V2-_rFg-rUI/AAAAAAAACv4/QKAWdu0cWRg-8wCbZM7QSYDx8o9JMiGTwCLcB/s1600/DSCN4181.JPG)
...that includes a Pathan sharpshooter

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H33KMJqnDsQ/V2-_t5kVhsI/AAAAAAAACwE/34iKqhu3VsMxRDTCBDr0QqEvsPxMWvc9gCLcB/s1600/DSCN4182.JPG)
The Pathans fire is less effective...

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0DU1-DbnVs/V2-_wLv-GEI/AAAAAAAACwM/JBt1hmIyuo4VtBYLur-8AcQePwnjZAbzACLcB/s1600/DSCN4183.JPG)
...and the cannon explodes on it's inaugural shot

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4PkHF3JuWk/V2_AF8yunAI/AAAAAAAACws/EMZV7XnZnJIhT1sSN8LNEFEcIQhdrJNxQCLcB/s1600/DSCN4185.JPG)
The Pathans swarm the village where the Brits have fallen back

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--VXy9qHFBDg/V2_AGLTabCI/AAAAAAAACww/zMuM-AvQ1xUycBF54X-rr2Qo9MmZxB2agCLcB/s1600/DSCN4186.JPG)
But there is still too many defending!

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FY1i2n_soTo/V2_ACl0Cb5I/AAAAAAAACwk/fGi40caBtl0ygPV2W2OHtEBLKiLTa4d0wCLcB/s1600/DSCN4187.JPG)
The Pathans are caught in a killing zone where the Guides and screw gun come to bare

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmF1c193Cf8/V2_AID1GpLI/AAAAAAAACw8/_WjyRCm4bHITmeRxweYhcyAkpRrRdbW2QCLcB/s1600/DSCN4188.JPG)
A hidden unit of swordsmen make a fanatical charge for the screw gun but...

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xREzOgDb5BA/V2_AJzHRUdI/AAAAAAAACxE/4xApaZNry-8H20cuiZ8BKWS3TakNGNVXwCLcB/s1600/DSCN4189.JPG)
the British have the last laugh as they detonate explosives that they had hidden there!

We fell back comfortably into playing T&T and only got caught up with the Suppression rules a bit, which after reading again after playing, won't prove an issue next time. I would strongly reduce the amount of units the Brits have next time along with the amount of good cover I provided them in the village. The Pathan's range advantage with their jezails could not be taken advantage of due to the table size, so would probably reduce the footprint of the village as well. The 2 Guide units were both Elite and they proved very effective in combat, so would probably drop them to Veteran. It was just nice to get these figures on the table and have a good laugh - "Pot that fella with the turban would you".

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: OSHIROmodels on June 27, 2016, 01:36:25 AM

Splendid show Frank, good to see you going at it again  :)

Maybe have the Pathans coming on from two sides to split the British defence?

cheers

James

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: jamesmanto on June 27, 2016, 02:37:57 AM

Excellent looking game.
The rest is just details

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Miantanomo on June 27, 2016, 02:47:55 AM

Great game and well painted Brits!

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Furt on June 27, 2016, 05:22:20 AM

Thanks gents.  :)

Quote from: jimbibbly on June 27, 2016, 01:36:25 AM

Maybe have the Pathans coming on from two sides to split the British defence?

It's true the bulk of the Pathans came from one end, but there were 2 hidden Pathan units lurking on the sides. These were meant to pose more of a threat than they actually did, as I wanted the Brits to have to consider a possible attack from 3 directions. In retrospect a pincer attack and hidden units might work.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: guitarheroandy on June 27, 2016, 06:59:42 AM

Great looking game!

You could also try 'recycling' dead Pathans, e.g. every 16 dead Pathans create a new unit that dices for deployment, with a maximum number of 'recycles' randomly decided before the game - this works best if you have an umpire who decides this - keeps both players guessing then. Reasonably historical too, as the British would have had no idea about numbers facing them and even the tribal leaders wouldn't be 100% sure who else would turn up to join in the 'fun'...

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Malamute on June 27, 2016, 08:41:50 AM

Wonderful stuff. I always love looking at your games. Its all the little details in the set up. Marvellous! ;D :-*

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Dr DeAth on June 27, 2016, 08:56:00 AM

Jolly nice game, and an interesting scenario to boot - maybe hidden movement for the Pathans, or let them deploy a few units in close to the British before the start, representing them sneaking up on Brits before launching an attack?

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Harry Faversham on June 27, 2016, 11:33:51 AM

No wonder the British triumphed, Perfidious Albion at it's sneakiest, in my 'umble opinion. Rigging the Screw gun to blow up in the Pathans's faces... just isn't cricket, is that, old chap!

:o

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Driscoles on June 27, 2016, 01:05:03 PM

Heyyyy.....looks great...Very nice table, great miniatures.
The British are dangerous in a good defensive position.
You may try the scenario again with little modifications and maybe the event cards ?
Thanks for sharing the game report.
Cheers
Björn

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Marine0846 on June 27, 2016, 04:34:24 PM

Great report.
Love the terrain.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: d phipps on June 27, 2016, 04:39:21 PM

Such beautiful miniatures! It is great to see them in action.  :-*

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: S_P on June 27, 2016, 10:39:52 PM

Lovely game report. :)

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Furt on June 28, 2016, 12:42:48 AM

Thanks for all the compliments guys. A lot of great advice to getting these Pathans to pull their weight! The Brits won't stand a chance next time!

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: FifteensAway on June 28, 2016, 04:00:00 AM

But, where, oh, where, is the water carrier practicing his bugle calls!?   lol

Threw me with the first image of the red British buildings - rather weird, I thought - until I looked closer and realized you'd colorized things.  And a good thing, too, because I didn't care for the 'river' in that same image!   :D

Clearly, the scenario (from the rules) was inspired by a certain well known movie.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Furt on June 28, 2016, 08:18:40 AM

Quote from: FifteensAway on June 28, 2016, 04:00:00 AM

Threw me with the first image of the red British buildings - rather weird, I thought - until I looked closer and realized you'd colorized things.  And a good thing, too, because I didn't care for the 'river' in that same image!   :D

What you don't like the traditionally red colored Pathan village called "British" and the local straight as an arrow river called "Pathan"? I don't think you know you're NWF Sir!  :P

Quote from: FifteensAway on June 28, 2016, 04:00:00 AM

Clearly, the scenario (from the rules) was inspired by a certain well known movie.

Yes, the actual scenario is from Sergeants 3 and is based heavily on Gunga Din.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Phil Robinson on June 28, 2016, 09:15:07 AM

Stirring stuff indeed, some really wonderful stuff there.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: marianas_gamer on June 28, 2016, 10:13:00 AM

Excellent looking game  :-*
LB

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: WillieB on June 28, 2016, 07:03:53 PM

Fantastic looking game and superb AAR!
A great inspiration as well.
I can see this easily transposed to the Indian Mutiny (as soon as I get all those lovely Iron Duke figures painted) :?

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Captain Darling on July 08, 2016, 05:40:20 AM

Great looking game!

Bad day for the natives...

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Traveler Man on July 09, 2016, 07:27:06 PM

Cracking stuff!

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Furt on July 10, 2016, 01:05:02 AM

Thanks gents.

Will be replaying this soon with some tweaks - as I always get stuck with the Pathans!

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: miltiades on July 12, 2016, 09:49:04 AM

 :o :o :o  fantastic ! a wonderful wargame ! Like a movie! One of the best games posted here!!! Very inspirational... The figures and the terain are great. I will try the scenario with a few modifications for the Sudan period, using 15mm.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Andrew_McGuire on July 14, 2016, 04:01:54 PM

I can only add to the compliments on the truly inspirational appearance of your game, which also appears to have been a lot of fun, in spite of being somewhat one-sided. I have never played T & T, though I own a copy of the main rules, and have been wondering about the colonial expansion, but know very little about how the game plays.

While you've no doubt given the information elsewhere, I'd love to know the source of the figures you use.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Furt on July 15, 2016, 08:48:48 AM

Quote from: Andrew_McGuire on July 14, 2016, 04:01:54 PM

While you've no doubt given the information elsewhere, I'd love to know the source of the figures you use.

There are quite a few different manufacturers here:

The Pathans, including the cavalry, are a combination of Wargames Foundry "Hill tribesmen" and "Indian Warriors", along with some Old Glory Pathans.

The standard British army troops are Old Glory from their Colonial range.

The Guides are Wargames foundry from their NWF range.

The Sikh Engineers and the Bengals are all Perry Sudan.

Hope that helps.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Andrew_McGuire on July 15, 2016, 06:29:51 PM

Thank you. I have a few - as in two packs - of Empress Miniatures' Jazz Age Imperialism range, some of which would also be appropriate for the earlier period, I imagine - the Afghans without bolt action weapons - though almost all could be used if you're prepared to overlook some details. The British troops only work for the 20th century, though, because of the different headgear.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Furt on July 15, 2016, 11:50:23 PM

Quote from: Andrew_McGuire on July 15, 2016, 06:29:51 PM

Thank you. I have a few - as in two packs - of Empress Miniatures' Jazz Age Imperialism range, some of which would also be appropriate for the earlier period, I imagine - the Afghans without bolt action weapons - though almost all could be used if you're prepared to overlook some details. The British troops only work for the 20th century, though, because of the different headgear.

You are welcome.  :)

For sure the Empress Miniatures' Jazz Age Imperialism will work in a pinch and it's your game - over look what ever details you wish! I pride myself on utilizing my miniature collections in as many varied theaters as I can manage, especially if I can bend the rules a bit.

And as for the colonial supplement of T&T I used the rules for the Pathans and British Volley Fire from it, but the game could have been as easily run with the core rules alone.

Title: Re: A small skirmish on the NWF
Post by: Andrew_McGuire on July 16, 2016, 05:46:47 PM

Unfortunately I don't know where my copy of T & T , and the SCW supplement I bought at the same time, are, so have no idea when I'll get around to playing it. (I'm trying to resist the temptation to buy another copy, with the Colonial supplement).

I have been trying, on and off, to work my way through Sharp Practice 2, but distractions - or more accurately, indiscipline - have prevented me reading the rules to the end, let alone trying a game. It only covers up to 1865, but a colonial expansion is in the works, I believe, and some players have already implemented their own amendments, French versus Tuareg in the Sahara, for example. Such fervour is far beyond my capacity, regrettably.