"Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign

[Umra Khan]

What an amazing and intriguing introduction to the battle! I cannot stand waiting for next post, congratulation Captain!!!

just this is SUPERB !
great post CPT Shanks

[Skorda]

  Great Game and lot of fun.. Thanks Giorgio

[giorgio]

The rise of a new leadership

The Grim is a very long frontier, let us return to Mir Ali Mirali south borders. After Taras Khan death, his sons had shown poor leadership and their intestine wars generated the rise of new khans, more than willing to get the power in the region, crossroads between Mulehead’s army in Wana, Powinda Jihad north west and Raj army entrenched in Mir Ali Mirali to cover the rear of Nicholson’s advance to Spimwam.


Observing last jirga it was clear that three are the Khans involved in this power struggle: Zalmay Khan, deeply influenced by Powinda’s speeches and fanatically searching glory and martyrium with his ruthless ghazi warriors, Ziauddin Khan called by his “friends” Mulehead’s puppet, with a unit of Kostwali mounted mercenaries, generously paid by couriers arrived from Wana, diplomatic and cool but not so beloved by the people; to the contrary his warriors were very inspired by him and by the gold richly provided. Appointed by Mulehead, he is nominally the leader of the army.

Last but not least an underdog, Khuday Khan; he is just returned from Persia, where he studied to become Imam of TMWWBK religion; involved in the civil war  he is not very loved and some habits brought from Persia, such as his little glasses, were considered too effeminate, but his value in battle is recognized and he could show an uncommon pride in battle which fascinated many elite warriors. Although nominally under Ziauddin’s command, he did not hide his determination to become the leader of the province challenging Powinda’s authority too. But, great mistake, also Mulehead’s undisputable leadership in the South!

Voices reported by Jandola merchants going to Bannu through Mir Ali Mirali speak about many warriors willing to join new rising Khans, and the mounted ones were already arriving in the area, bolstering the local waziri.
In Mir Ali Mirali discording feelings are generated by the latest news and our old friend Major Tiffin decided to conduct himself a ride into the southern borders to check the situation , give a demonstration of force to discourage revolts and riots and possibly  killing and capturing some bandits, that were told rallying in the area .
“Tiffin, you have to act , and you have to do it quickly!” He remembers very well what Colonel Nicholson said, wrapped in his frontier dress, fierce of his flamboyant turban. “I will bring with me also a photograph by Peshwar Tribune. Some pictures of our boys spreading peace and order in the province will boost readers opinion on our campaign and, more important, General Davenport’s opinion about me. There are too rumours about some troubles in Shewa due to that afridi ruffian called Wali Khan.”

“ I have already assembled a little force to teach a little bit of civilization with a generous amount of lead too. I have a bunch of young officers willing to lead their raj units to get some glory and if possible, a V.C.”
In the very same moment somewhere between Idak and Mir Ali Mirali a caravan is slowly proceeding in the dust.


At the head of the kafilah an impressive bashi walks with flashing eyes  spying the Raj units leaving the safe trenches marching southwards. “It is time to spring the trap! Every Pashtun will hear about the great Ziauddin Khan, Mulehead himself will be proud of me” and quickly jumped on a stallion followed by few Kostwali mercenaries.

All is ready for another great fight, which will forge the next weeks campaign: Free hand for Nicholson northwards or a revolt involving all Waziri warriors? The destiny of many gallant soldiers is in Tiffin’s hands!

Mulehead in Wana looks with his eyes as sharp as a cobra’s ones: a potential rival must be eradicated before growing too much! His eyes are everywhere!
The battle was fought in Genoa wargame club “Garibaldi”, the best club north of Bannu!

[Mad Guru]

Did someone say...                                               

                                                ...Mulehead Khan?!?!

Look now... gaze in your hazy memory yesterday... and feel the blinding pain in thine eyes tomorrow:

[Umra Khan]

This will be the end of the story....

[JBaumal]

Skobelev’s Gamble: 5 February 1891, Chitral Territory Afghanistan



As the hard pressed Chitral garrison holds out the honorable General Horatio McGuinness, KMC drives his reinforced brigade NE to relive the siege. General Skobelev intent on stopping the Anglo Indian relief force marches SW skirting Chitral Territory with the hope of catching the Anglo-Indian force unawares. Thus the scenario is set.


5 February 1891, Chitral Territory Afghanistan
A Russian Brigade has moved SW around Chitral to block an Anglo-Indian force headed to relieve the beleaguered garrison of Chitral Fort.



Russian Forces:

General Mikhail Skobelev

Colonel Igor Blaramberg

Regiments:

Infantry:
• Kanzanski Rifles (20 Men)
• Susdal Line (20 Men)
• Borodinski Line (20 Men)
• East Siberian Rifle Regiment (20 Men)
• Semenovski Life Guards (20 Men)
Cavalry:
• 1St Ural Cossacks (12 Men)
• Stavropol Circassian Cossacks (12 Men)
Artillery:
• 1 two gun battery (8 Gunners)
• 1 Naval Gatling Gun (4 Crew)
 
Setup:
The Russians will start the game entering the North road in column with scouts forward.

Goals:
Prevent the British relief force from leaving the field of battle intact in order to reduce their fighting capacity and ability to relieve the beleaguered garrison of Chital Fort.

Victory Conditions:
The Russians must capture or destroy the 40 LB gun and limber to deny it’s use in the relief of Chitral Fort and stop the British from exiting more than half of their force off the Eastern Road.


 



 

Imperial Forces: 1st Brigade

General Horatio McGuinness, KMC

Colonel Edward Davenport

Infantry Regiments:
• 66th KRRC (20 Men)
• 72nd Highlanders (20 Men)
• Queens Own Corp of Guides (20 Men)
• 2nd Gurkhas (20 Men)
• 3rd Sikhs (20 Men)
• 58th Vaughan’s Rifles (20 Men)
• 32nd Sikh Pioneers (10 Men)
Cavalry:
• 77th Bengal Lancers (12 Men)
• 10th Hussars (12 Men)
Artillery:
• 1 40 LB gun (4 crew)
• 1 two-gun battery (8 Gunners)
• 1 Gatling Gun (4 Crew)
 
Setup:
The Anglo-Indian force starts the game moving in column up the main road heading north with two infantry units already on the table. The 77th Bengal Lancers are at point 225 with the Heliograph team.

Goals:
The Anglo-Indian force must exit the field of battle via the Eastern Road relatively intact and with the coveted 40 LB gun for use in the relief of the beleaguered Chitral Fort garrison. Colonel Dano MacGurule and Captain Michael Lucas are depending on you!

Special Rules:
To enter or exit a structure, ascend or descend stairs, go through a door, gate, or narrow passage, embark or disembark a conveyance, or to cross a low undefended wall, drop the high die. All other terrain penalties apply as per the standard rules.
 
Field Gun and MG ammo – roll 1 D6 + 6 for the amount of ammo available for the game, min 5 rds per gun. The infantry have unlimited rifle ammo but cannot fire blindly.

Game Length:
10 turns, or until the booze runs out.

Victory Conditions:
The Anglo-Indian force must exit off the Eastern Road with at least half of their force intact and the 40 LB gun and limber for use in the relief of Chitral Fort. Being successful in this mission could earn you a Knighthood, at the very least you will certainly be mentioned in dispatches.



This game was sponsored with awesome prizes from Al at Askari Miniatures (https://askari-minis.com/?mc_cid=3079497bac&mc_eid=3509f40e82. Everyone got a sample pack of Afghans and Russians or a deck of cards which we use for movement and firing in my preferred rules set The Sword And The Flame http://www.sergeants3.com/first.html.



TURN 1:

“Colonel Davenport, a report is coming in from the Heliograph Team at point 225 from the crossroads ahead. “Large enemy force approaching, formed infantry, formed cavalry, baggage train, and artillery. They are Europeans sir, Russians in fact! Our Afridi scouts have just confirmed it, a reinforced Brigade is on the march sir”. The Great Game is afoot....



A long column of Russian troops lead by (2) units of Cossacks march south along the road hell bent to stop the Anglo-Indian force.





General McGuinness' Brigade marches forwards towards the crossroads held by the reconnaissance force, a squadron of 77th Bengal Lancers and a Heliograph team as a squadron of the 10th Hussars cover the column's right flank.









The heliograph crew spots Cossack Cavalry moving westwards towards the village as the Circassian Cossacks advance to cut the road and block the Anglo-Indian advance.





The Russian column marches onwards as the Cossacks deploy.   



The 77th Bengal Lancers have maneuvered to the Anglo-Indian left flank to counter the advance of the Ural Cossacks.



The Russian East Siberian Rifle Regt is closely followed by the Semenovski Life Guards as they move  towards the village on the Russian right flank to support the Ural Cossacks and to occupy the ville.



https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iv6r34Vnob_-pwClAsG_TXsCyjfyMqkIqjfJ51v-3QENJBl8phjc5SggafP49E414ipJwinq28mzk_25e8AVNYu-zvx9nrUgxeDoCWT_8X8b64njGG-lqNfG2fpHLzj8YG-Pfpgn1Y19d3J6kPgPFPRZ0kR6VzaeIR2oKNBeG1GYCLDwc_UwGCM4/s320/1C7E1E27-0B21-4836-B2D1-65127CDB4668.jpeg

Turn 2: Different view.   



The Anglo-Indian column starts to deploy units off the road and into double line combat formations to protect the column, the precious 40 LBR gun, and other artillery needed to lift the siege of Chitral Fort.



 Brit’s moving North.       



Russians moving South.

[JBaumal]

Skobelev’s Gamble: 5 February 1891, Chitral Territory Afghanistan

TOO BE CONTINUED ......

[JBaumal]

Skobelev’s Gamble: 5 February 1891, Chitral Territory Afghanistan

PART 2



Russian artillery and MG advances to try and cut off the Anglo-Indian force.





The 72nd Highlanders formed a firing line and poured a devastating volley into the Ural Cossacks.



The Russians surge forwards, sending infantry units in line to attack the crossroads as well as columns and cavalry on their left flank to close the road exit.





Her Majesty’s 8th Regiment of Foot make it to the road and set up a blocking force on the 72nd Highlander’s right flank.




The 77th Lancers follow up the accurate rifle fire by charging the remnants of the Ural Cossacks in the following movement phase.





Russian left flank pushes hard to cut off the road. They are being blessed by a priest as they double-march past.







  Gurkhas and Sikhs form up behind the 10th Hussars who have taken control of the eastern road egress.







  The Borodinski and Susdal Line Regiments advance.



As soon as the Gurkhas occupy the ville they are charged by The Russian Borodinski Line Regt. who are supported by the Susdal Line Regt.









TO BE CONTINUED .......

https://sgtguinness.blogspot.com/

[JBaumal]

Skobelev’s Gamble: 5 February 1891, Chitral Territory Afghanistan

PART 3



The Kanzanski Rifles take the lead in the assault.



The  British 10th Hussars charge the Kanzanski Rifles who are in open order formation. Not a good formation to be in when being charged by determined regular cavalry!



Russian guns unlimber and post up next to the Siberian Rifles firing line.





   The Anglo-Indian troops are now in range, FIRE! Russian Sailors manning a Gorlov / Gatling Gun MG support a 9LB field gun.



Pablo running the Anglo-Indian Left flank being carefully watched by Stephan who's the right wing Russian commander.



Semenovski Life Guards advance over the bodies of the Ural Cossacks who were wiped out!






Furious melees break out on the Anglo-Indian right flank. The remaining battalion of the Kanzanski Rifles along with the reconstituted Susdal Line Regt. and the Borodinski Line Regt. attack the Gurkhas and Guides infantry battalions supported by the hard charging 10th Hussars. (Capt Lucas on left Dr. Jones on right)



The Anglo-Indian artillery and support column moves towards the east road screened by infantry battalions in line.



My gaming nemesis on The Grim, General Mikhail Skobelev, the entire reason the Russians have invaded the NWF in our campaign. My friend Bob (in orange t-shirt) flew down from Kansas once again to lead his Russian forces in our ongoing NWF Campaign. Thank you Bob for sponsoring the Russians and for being an awesome opponent in this ongoing LAF - NWF Campaign - Never Trust Anyone on the Frontier - https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.0



TO BE CONTINUED.....

https://sgtguinness.blogspot.com/

[JBaumal]

Skobelev’s Gamble: 5 February 1891, Chitral Territory Afghanistan

PART 4 - CONCLUSION

Russian artillery find the range and begin to hit the Anglo-Indian line causing casualties. Explosion markers by Bud's Blast Markers (https://www.budsblastmarkers.com/). (5) of these come with the awesome dice box featured earlier.



Dr. Jones (on left standing in blue) and Gunboat Dan (in green) (https://www.laststanddan.com/) fight yet another melee using a Bu's Blast Markers as Bud's friend Shawn watches in amazement.... LOL



The reconstituted Kanzanski Rifles loose another melee and rout over the mountain range.




The Semovenski Life Guards secure their right flank against the marauding 77th Bengal Lancers with the support of their Priest.



A mule born Russian mountain gun posts up next to the Siberian Rifles who are pouring small arms fire into the depleting Anglo-Infantry firing line.



The 10th Hussars fall back after winning the melee with the Kanzaski Rifles due to rifle fire from the Susdal Line Regt. as they are about to be supported by the 3rd Sikhs following closely behind.






The Anglo-Indian artillery train keeps plodding along behind the screen of stalwart empire infantry!








      Russian artillery ranges on the artillery column and their screening infantry in front of them.



With a concentrated battery fire the Russian artillery rips huge holes in the Anglo-Indian firing lines and even slightly wounded some of the artillery transport!










With a last ditch effort the Stavropol Carcassian Cossacks attack spurred on by their Priest with holy icon to try and stop the column.




Alas it was not to be for the Russians today. The Critical Anglo- Indian Artillery move off the table at the eastern road egress and continue towards Chitral Fort to relieve the beleaguered garrison! The Anglo-Indians are victorious this day, though they have a long way to go in hard going contested county.



Your host Sgt. Guinness sporting an awesome t-shirt my friend Captain Shanks’ (https://majomalley.blogspot.com/?m=1) nephew made for he and my buddy Mad Guru's (https://maiwandday.com/) game at a Desert Wars Convention (https://fancons.com/events/info/18719/desert-wars-2022) 2 years ago.



The usual suspects: My friends and gaming pards, front row from left to right, Rick Welch (who sadly passed away shortly after this game) Rick's eldest son Stephan, Pablo, Capt. Lucas, Marc, Jeff (Sgt. Guinness) 2nd row, David (Rick's youngest son) Bob, Dr. Jones, Gunboat Dan.



This was another fun game played out with my friends at one of the great Florida cons put on by HMGS-South (www.hmgs-south.com) in Kissimmee Fl. and personally ran by me from the SMG - South Florida Miniatures Gamers based in Fort Lauderdale. We used my favorite rules set once again, The Sword And The Flame (http://www.sergeants3.com/18.html) by Larry Brom.

[Umra Khan]

Great battle report Sgt. Guinness.
These spectacular battles can only be done by using the King of Rules "TSATF".
so be it written, so be it done!

[Mad Guru]

As ever, JBaumal posts a munificent magnificent AAR, and Umra Khan speaks pure truth!

Similar to the munificent magnificent musical truth of the Bawitaba as performed by the Frontier Legend himself, Bashi Teegah*...

(*AKA: Kid Rock)

Umra is pictured below camera right, side-by-side with his brother from another mother, Mansur Khan of the Yusufzais, the esteemed Wali of Swat and Nawab of Dir, listening to the rousing beats of Bashi Teegah's Bawitaba at the Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Jezails Jirga in '99...

His name is Ummmmmmraaaaaaaaaa...
Umra Khan

Bawitaba da bang, da dang diggy diggy
Diggy said the boogie, said up jump the boogie
Bawitaba da bang, da dang diggy diggy
Diggy said the boogie, said up jump the boogie

Let the cards flip
And the movement dice roll
And the foul blood of the infidels flow
From Italy
To the Florida Keys
To the mountain passes of Los Angeleeeez

Bawitaba da bang, da dang diggy diggy
Diggy said the boogie, said up jump the boogie
Bawitaba da bang, da dang diggy diggy
Diggy said the boogie, said up jump the boogie

For the solo playas with no foes to ill
And for Larry Brom, the King of the hill
You can game with Osprey but that ain't fun
Now get in the pit and try to love someone!*

(*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)

[Umra Khan]

As ever, JBaumal posts a munificent magnificent AAR, and Umra Khan speaks pure truth!

Similar to the munificent magnificent musical truth of the Bawitaba as performed by the Frontier Legend himself, Bashi Teegah*...

(*AKA: Kid Rock)

Umra is pictured below camera right, side-by-side with his brother from another mother, Mansur Khan of the Yusufzais, the esteemed Wali of Swat and Nawab of Dir, listening to the rousing beats of Bashi Teegah's Bawitaba at the Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Jezails Jirga in '99...

His name is Ummmmmmraaaaaaaaaa...
Umra Khan

Bawitaba da bang, da dang diggy diggy
Diggy said the boogie, said up jump the boogie
Bawitaba da bang, da dang diggy diggy
Diggy said the boogie, said up jump the boogie

Let the cards flip
And the movement dice roll
And the foul blood of the infidels flow
From Italy
To the Florida Keys
To the mountain passes of Los Angeleeeez

Bawitaba da bang, da dang diggy diggy
Diggy said the boogie, said up jump the boogie
Bawitaba da bang, da dang diggy diggy
Diggy said the boogie, said up jump the boogie

For the solo playas with no foes to kill
And for Larry Brom, the King of the hill
You can game with Osprey but that ain't fun
Now get in the pit and try to love someone!*

(*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)    (*By playing TSATF with them)

0ne hour of standing ovation Mad Guru

[giorgio]

Khushali Khan Battle

The world on the Grim is sharply divided in two parts: the followers of heretic Tsatf who chat and don’t play, and the follower of the Only True Perfect Rule who are blessed with many amusing games. So let’s come back to gaming, into Waziristan borders.
A pale sun is rising spreading his rays over the Grim. Tiffin deploys his 26th Baluchi in the village, on a hill on his right 15th Ludhiana Sikhs with their flamboyant turbans and on his left 14th Sikhs Ferozepore.

This last unit was his main source of troubles, not for the soldiers, as proud and gallant as only Siks can be (ok ok and Gourkha, Scottish, English etc etc) BUT FOR THEIR LEADER, Lt Ten Ferdinand Bowles, a stupid inept at the best.

Tiffin decided to get the most by his raid and started the photographs book implementation.

On the other side, as horrific as hungry wolfes, Waziri were approaching leaded by Ziauddin Khan with his mounted mercenaries, whose leadership was challenged by Zalmay Khan’s fanatic ghazi and his ambitious enemy Khuday Khan, so fool to declare under opium effects that he would have ruled all Waziristan, and the witness were ready to report it to Wana, in part for devotion to Mulehead khan but mostly for fear to be anticipated by their rivals, becoming suspect to be Khuday’s supporter.

Zalmay khan will try to encircle the Anglez on their left flank, the one defended by inept Bowles

Ziauddin Khan sends his irregular under Ghilji Khan to harass the Sikhs while Ghazi are advancing, and their fire gets one hit and pin the unit of the poor Bowles.

But are pinned by Baluchi’s fire from the the factory

On the right of Raj deployment, Ludhiana Sikhs leave the safe hill to support the Baluchi stopping Ziauddin khan’s cavalry

But their performance is disastrous at the best

Khuday Khan feels that now is his opportunity. He was put in reserve on the extreme side to avoid he could gain more popularity, but now he attacks the flank of Ludhiana Sikhs

But in the hottest moment of his charge an unpredictable and unexplained fact occurred: charging in front he was hit by a jezail bullet in his back.
The old loyal viewers may have detected this singularity: very often Mulehead’s enemies found a sudden death while charging to the front with a bullet or a chora in their back. Mulehead explains that it depends from defective Anglez weapons which have a boomerang like performance.

This is confirmed also by Daoud Baz, the rich ruthless killer that joined Khuday Khan unit just the day before. His enemies (people is so jelaous of other’s lucky events) say that all his gold came from Wana…
Hereafter a Daoud’s portrait a dozen of years ago, from "Men Of Different Afghan Tribes, By Our Special Artist" Published By The Illustrated London News, April 19th, England, 1879

In this moment Ziaullin Khan charges on the Sikhs busy with Khuday Khan’s unit, but Ludhiana performs a great resistance, obliged by numbers to retreating but making very high cost for each and every inch of ground

On the other side the trap is going to spring and Zalmay Khan moves his unit trying to encircle the Ferozepore Sikhs

These brave soldiers try to retreat towards Baluchi’s safe walls but Zalmay Khan charge with his Ghazis and butcher all of them, LT Bowles included, not a great loss for the Raj Army.

Zalmay Khan attacks with all his unit the factory, but the gallant resistance of Lt. Percival Firestone, a fine swordsman, repulse all attacks. At the end the Indians can retreat safely, losing the battle but not the honor, and ready to fight again tomorrow.

Ziaullin Khan is frozen by the last events: his rival is dead, the Sikhs are retreating and he should go to the factory and claim the victory, but Khuday Khan’s men and his mercenaries are all looking at him and he cannot show anything less than ruthless hate for the Anglez’s dogs. Charge!

But Ludhiana save themselves with a gallant last fight, before retreating.
Not a great last performance by Ziauddin Khan that anyway fought gallantly all the day. In the meantime, Zalmay Khan is celebrating the factory conquest and the head of Lt. Bowes.
What will happen? The Raj troops are reforming and Zalmay Khan want to pursuit them and enter into Mir Ali Mirali before they can rally, but Ziauddin Khan would like consolidating his conquests waiting for further reinforcements: two dogs strive for a bone, and Mulehead runs away with it… this has been well represented by Umra Khan himself in the attached picture (kindly stolen from Piero’s archives).

n.b. in Italian dog is “cane” pronounced very similar to Khan. So the joke is that two dogs are pronounced very similar to two khans…

[JBaumal]

Great reports gentleman! Very exciting battles indeed. I’ve just now had the chance to catch up while my work pc is being repaired. The action on The Grim is definitely heating up as is the smack talk regarding the false rules set….