*
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 06:44:44 PM

Login with username, password and session length

Donate

We Appreciate Your Support

Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 1686552
  • Total Topics: 118107
  • Online Today: 857
  • Online Ever: 2235
  • (October 29, 2023, 12:32:45 AM)
Users Online

Recent

Author Topic: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign  (Read 96039 times)

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #285 on: September 22, 2021, 01:47:32 PM »
Through the dusty plains, steep paths and treacherous passes the column of Gen. John C.Aubrey-Smith Mandrake points north of Jandola to attack the evil El Quartah.
The goal is Palosina village , 10 miles north of Jandola



...where ElQuartah's forces have regrouped….



During the march of the column  you can hear the sounds of water bottles and mess tins slamming ...and persevering song of the Gordon highlanders bagpipes playing  their Cock of the North…
"Auntie Mary had a canary
Up the leg of her drawers;
She was sleeping, it was creeping,
Up the leg of her drawers"





In command of the splendid Regiment of the 1st Skinner's Horse Maj. Reginald Lewis de Glanville speaks with his attendant the Risaldar Sayed Walid...
"Old Ramrod (speking about Gen. Mandrake) knows his job, he is a tough man and thinks only of work,
 I can’t imagine the old ramrod having been that human",
(imitating Gen. Mandrake voice) “Madam , you’ll marry me Tuesday the 29th , be at the church at 10.00, that’s an order !”….hahaha.



The column is marching on the rocky ground….Count—count—count—count—the bullets in the bandoliers. If—your—eyes—drop—they will get atop o' you! Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up and down again






"With its best foot first
    And the road a-sliding past,
    An' every bloomin' campin'-ground exactly like the last;
    While the Big Drum says,
    With 'is "rowdy-dowdy-dow!" --
    "Kiko kissywarsti don't you hamsher argy jow? (Why don't you get on?)”...

Poems from "the deaf  Mule Ballad " by Reginald Winkie

to be continued...


« Last Edit: September 22, 2021, 02:22:09 PM by Umra Khan »

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #286 on: September 24, 2021, 01:40:35 PM »
Thal Battle
Look, Hatton is coming running as if he got a swarm of wasp in those blue pants. Gregory what’s happening?”
“Sir,, Hatton panted “all Officers, now, Major has new orders for tomorrow” said Hatton gasping, saluted and turning on his heels run back to Major’s tent.

A very stupid hurry by that lapdog only to get the new orders for tomorrow, lunch time we move, all units in Thal outskirts to scout four different strategic points. And of course, the closest are for the Major and LT Hatton. Me and Frock we’ll have to make a long tour and we’ll come back when the other had already had their dinner.
Well perhaps I could make a little trick, I start 1-hour before with the excuse of patrolling the immediate surrounding of the camp and I will be able to come back shortly after Major and his lapdog.

Remaining tomorrow out of the camp protection too much with the first dark of the night descending all over the valley is not a wise decision. I should say to Frock, no let that stupid enjoy a nice walk under the hottest sun and return under the risk of snipers. Yes, when the other will start they march I will be already arriving to my objective, the crossroad to Spinwam and Bannu. Who knows, thought laughing, we could lose the direction and be back directly to Bannu to return with the artillery train, ah ah. Too funny. And instead after the long weary march we will be back to Thal waiting Umra’s surrender.
The following day Captain Townsend started early morning according his plan, but while he was arriving to the crossroad his guides detected far in the valley a unit of Pashtun moving a gun. Both were surprised.

The day before out of Spinwam few khans joined in a hidden cave among the rocks in a special jirga. “My khans” shouted Sher Khan “Ferenghees are entrenched in Thal, we will separate in many groups to ensure no food will be available for them and more important, no messages will go back and forth to Davenport in Bannu and to Fullerton’s flying devils in Tochi Valley . You Gunny Dim ensure this time all ammunition is provided and control the crossroad where messengers will pass, if any.”

Townsend decided to stop and fire on the artillery Pashtun killing in few turns all but Gunni Dim without losing any.

Then while hours passed y Sher Khan attacked him from back but was repulsed after a bloody fight.

Then Guides decimated also Abu Zar Khan unit supporting artillery with effective firing. But at the end Gunni Dim’s fire pinned the guides that failed the rally dice and at the end left the table under the hapless leadership of capt Townsend more than happy to leave the fight in direction of Spinwam, but with 5 KIA.

In North East Hatton destroyed with his tremendous firing the Orakzais of Abdullah Khan and scouted the tower.

 



Frock marching at double pass arrived in the herd recovery area just in time to be assaulted by the remaining warriors of Sher Khan and successfully repulsed them.

Then scouted the area while the well-disciplined elite of Abu Zar refused to attack in the last hour of light.
Abu Zar had a strong discussion with Sher Khan the night before about some goats who changed the owner the previous week in a feud involving their tribes. Coincidence?

In the meantime, Major Vousden scouted his objective.

And charged with his guard bonus the unit of Bunga Din killing 12 and then pursuing and killing all, the khan included, losing in total 4 troopers, but losing also his Risaldar Kesar Singh Dhillon.




Then Sam Browne’s unit galloped westward but was ambushed by Jammas Zada warriors, defeating them but leaving Major Vousden alone,

surviving also at last firing of Gunni Dim’s artillery while running towards Bannu crossroad.

The night was descending with his mantle of peace and rest, British had slightly won but it risked to be a Pyrrhic victory: KIA were 7 troopers, 5 guides and 1 Khyber rifle, but guides and 22nd Punjab cavalry were routed.

The huge Pashtun losses will be more quickly replaced, 8 Orazkais, 16 Bunga Din, 3 Artillerymen, 5 Jamma Zada, 11 Sher, 6 Abu Zar. Total 49 KIA.
 
But Major Vousden was separated by the other units and galloped away alone towards Bannu to bring the news of the victory but also of his column being completely separated in Thal under the improbable captain Townsend, the hero of the logistic.
 
But Townsend too couldn’t re-join the other units and was pushed down towards Spimwam from where he hopes to get in touch with Fullerton flying devils column, down in the Tochi Valley, or what has remained of North Waziristan. Hatton and Frock are entrenched in Thal, they know that beaten tribesmen won’t spend more time before reorganizing and attack them. Who will be faster? The wounded Sher Khan or the reinforcement column from Bannu? They just hope someone survived to accelerate their arrival.
 
Capt Townsend column march speedy and soon Spinwam is in sight. Captain Townsend is dubious, perhaps better avoiding it and make a detour around Spinwam, but the ashes of the town can still provide some rest, water and shadow…

Sher Khan with his few warriors now has 2 main targets: revenge the betrayal of Abu Zar but most urgent to get a trophy to show to Umra, who at this moment has been already informed of the battle result, for sure.
The Rifles and Brits have had the possibility to entrench in Thal, but few guides are going southwards to Spinwam. There pardani are seen with a hate enhanced by destructions brought days before by Fullerton flying devils, and many tulwars will be happy to wet with guides blood. If they will skip the town, Sher will find a place where his few survived warriors will make good use of their jezails and tulwars to kill before a guides volley could change the balance. On a different hill, hidden each other by a rocky hill, the two groups observe the same horrid landscape.

Unknown each other they will meet very soon…

Townsend decide to avoid entering the town but suddenly Tribesmen fire on guides killing one and pinning the rest.

Then they attack with tulwars


despatching other 2 and losing one, they insist and receive another loss. Then another KIA on each side,

Sher raises his war cry and rallies his warriors while Townsend seems paralyzed and continues failing rallying tests. Last bloody attack is another Afridis killed but last two guides are butchered.

Townsend routs and runs towards the hill followed by the ferocious glances of Sher and the last warrior- They know he  never returns from those hills and Sher will have a trophy to show to Umra.


Strong of that present his claims on Abu Zar Khan’s betrayal will have another weight… but everything at its time, now he is ready to wipe out the last two units entrenched in Thal.

TO BE CONTINUED
« Last Edit: September 24, 2021, 01:45:16 PM by giorgio »

Offline Marine0846

  • Supporting Adventurer
  • Galactic Brain
  • *
  • Posts: 6607
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #287 on: September 24, 2021, 02:30:35 PM »
OH NO, not the Guides. :(
Who is next? :?
Great story telling.
Semper Fi, Mac

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #288 on: September 24, 2021, 04:25:48 PM »
Marine0846, thanks for kind supporting. If you, like all us, are a Guides fan, let me remember you that old Fullerton in Tochi Valley has a unit of cavalry and one of veteran Sikh guides infantry under LT Best.
I give you an hint in advance, next days (tomorrow ?) there will be the Peshwar Tribune special offer day and new subscribers will be requested to vote for a special unit of their choice that will return as a different company. You can indicate to see it in this scenario o with brigades in the North or even south with Gen Mandrake... Stay tuned!  lol

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #289 on: September 25, 2021, 10:08:14 AM »
OH NO, not the Guides. :(
Who is next? :?
Great story telling.

Marine0846 we have more Guides...here mine Afridi's Coy , attached to Gen. Mandrake's brigade, ready to do battle on Waziristan. With a detachment of Guides Cavalry.
ROUGH AND READY !

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #290 on: September 25, 2021, 01:48:22 PM »
Campaign of yearly Subscription!
The only independent newspaper which tells you what has occurred and what will happen!

Only for this week end with the subscription the readers will have the possibility to choose two preferred units: which routed one would u like to see again and in which scenario? Which unit would u like to be deployed in a future battle and where?
The editor will not assure that all the requests will be fulfilled, due to …availability!
p.s. if you vote for North Waziristan scenario in the new unit section for 14th Ferozepore Sikhs, Kohat mountain battery and  26th Baluchis, and in the routed section for 10th Bengal Lancers you have a lot of possibilities for succeeding😉
« Last Edit: September 25, 2021, 01:50:40 PM by giorgio »

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #291 on: September 27, 2021, 12:15:33 PM »
The Gift

After the Battle of Thal, Sher khan returns to Mogala ... with a gift for Umra Khan !


“Oh mighty Umra, may the Almighty  always bless you, and may your enemies die of starvation in the snows of our mountains……you have given me an assignment and I have done it in the best way... the troops of the infidel ferenghi have been disrupted in Thal and they are now crying like babies,  they are divided now and I count on destroying them in the coming days ... I brought you a gift………Capt. Townsend “!




Of course Capt. Townsend is unaware of this conversation...

“Captain Townsend welcome to the modest palace of Umra, I have always been a friend of the British, and I do not know why the other tribes, Orakzais and Northern Waziris , are making war to the Raj... my faithful servant Sher Khan found you alone and lost in the mountains and brought you to me. Here you will be treated like a guest and when you have recovered physically I will accompany you to Peshawar.”


“Thanks Umra Khan, my head is a bit confused, there was a battle and my soldiers died... I fell and slammed my head and I do not remember much ...”



“Enjoy your stay in Mogala Captain “,………….
so be it written, so it be done.




“Yusuf check him on sight, I have yet to decide on his future...he will be a pawn of exchange…”

Offline Mad Guru

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 711
    • Maiwand Day blog
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #292 on: September 28, 2021, 05:35:51 AM »
HOT OFF THE PRESSES AND A DOZEN READERS!

Monday the 18th of August, 1890
A busy day at Peshawar's Kabul Gate...



Maj-Gnl. Basil "Smokey" Whitsend (Ask him someday how he acquired that particular nickname during the Great Mutiny -- if you dare!), accompanied by his Political Officer Captain Alexander "Teetotaler" Crane, watches 2nd Brigade march out, DESTINATION: DARGAI...



2nd GURKHAS LEAD THE WAY...



FOLLOWED BY THE YORKS & LANCS...



...PLAYED FORWARD BY THEIR
DRUMMER BOYS, JAKIN & LEW,
DRESSED IN RED FOR THE OCCASION...



BOTH BOYS ARE ORPHANS,
SO DESPITE BEING UNDERAGE THEY
GOT SPECIAL PERMISSION FROM
THEIR COLONEL TO ACCOMPANY
THE REGT. INTO THE FIELD...




2nd BRIGADE'S DEPARTURE IS ALSO
CLOSELY WATCHED BY THEIR OWN
C.O. BRIGADIER GENERAL
PADRAIC "MAGPIE" MCGILLIGAN...






THE VIEW FROM ON HIGH...



AND FROM INSIDE THE GATE,
THE LAST RESPITE FROM
THE PUNISHING AUGUST SUN
THESE TROOPS WILL ENJOY

FOR SOME TIME...



NEXT COME THE 2nd SIKHS PFF (PUNJAB FRONTIER FORCE)...



AND FINALLY, ANCHORING THE
COLUMN'S REAR ARE 2nd BATTALION
CORPS OF GUIDES INFANTRY PFF
(PUNJAB FRONTIER FORCE)...





WATCHING AS THEY WAIT IN THE WINGS
IS 2nd BRIGADE'S CAVALRY ELEMENT,
THE 9th QUEEN'S ROYAL LANCERS...



UNDER THEIR C.O. LT. COLONEL HARRY "PIG-STICKER" FINN...



OUTSIDE THE WALLS WE CATCH A GLIMPSE
OF THE BRIGADE'S ARTILLERY,
NO. 3 (PESHAWAR) MOUNTAIN BATTERY...




ATOP THE RAMPARTS COMES THE SUDDEN VOICE
OF AN ADJUTANT BOUNDING UP THE STAIRS...



"General, those most important papers you've
been waiting for just arrived, sir!"




With the widest circulation West of Delhi and North of Bombay is it any wonder the paper General Whitsend's been waiting for was none other than The Peshawar Tribune?




FEATURING THE LATEST COLUMN FROM
WORLD-WIDE JOURNALISTIC
& LITERARY SENSATION:

REGINALD WINKIE!



This broadsheet's in such broad demand that whenever a new edition hits the galee*, everyone's ready to kill to get their hands on a copy -- including this very model of a modern Major-General...
(*Hindi for "street")

1. THE GENERAL



Indeed, far-and-wide across the frontier The Peshawar Tribune's dedicated readership knows no bounds!  In addition to General Whitsend, it also includes but is far from limited to:

2nd Lt. Fitzroy, Yorks & Lancs, former CO of Chakdara Outpost, currently held captive whilst being escorted to Kabul by Captain Mir of the Afghan Regular Army...



The good Captain went out of his way to have
a copy speedily delivered to them while en route
to their secret destination...




You can imagine his shock and surprise when
 Lieutenant Fitzroy's only response to its arrival was:


"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,
All the king's horses and all the king's men,
Couldn't put me back together again!"



"HUMPTY... BLOODY... DUMPTY!!!"

Sadly it seems the long days & nights of captivity have taken a toll on the Subaltern's disposition, and he appears on the verge of mania or perhaps... even lunacy.  Or in the vernacular of his Afghan minders: "The Ingleesh has gone pagal in the head."

2. THE PRISONER



In far happier and more domestic circumstances reside Ibn-Kali Kali and Mrs. Kali, proprietors of Kunar Caravansary in Goshta District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan...



Where Nabobs from both sides of the border have been known to sojourn, and horse-trade.  Right now the Kalis want to see how the graphic design of their new classified advertisement looks in print...



3. THE INNKEEPERS



Atop Drosh Watchtower on the Chitral River we find the "Romantic Seeds" Mullahs of Reginald Winkie's Peshawar Barracks Ballad, "THE UNPALPABLE JEZAILS," still conferring... or debating... or haggling -- over what exactly, we really don't know...



But apparently it made the Tribune...



4. THE MULLAHS



Deeper in Afghanistan we find none other than the Iron Amir himself, Abdur Rahman Khan, in his Palace garden, perusing the latest edition...



How it was delivered all the way to Kabul so fast, none can say...



5. THE AMIR



At least, none who are able to speak...



***PICTURED ABOVE IS THE IRON AMIR'S
LITTLE-KNOWN BUT MUCH-FEARED
MUTE COURIER, NAAN, WHILE BELOW
IS THE ONLY KNOWN IMAGE OF
NAAN'S CHAMPION CARRIER-VULTURE, KHAN***



Perhaps just as legendary as the Iron Amir but utilizing more common methods of acquisition, we see none other than the MAD GURU himself waving his freshly-delivered copy in the air...



Alongside the iconic GREEN BANNER OF MECCA with which he encouraged Ayub Khan to march from Herat to defeat the Farangi and their idol-worshipping lackeys on the field at Maiwand!  To where does the blind Mad Guru ride his mule?  Like win, place & show for tomorrow's races at Ascot, the answer to that question must wait for another day...




6. THE GURU



« Last Edit: September 28, 2021, 07:24:25 PM by Mad Guru »
"We shall see what wisdom lies beneath my madness!"

Offline Mad Guru

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 711
    • Maiwand Day blog
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #293 on: September 28, 2021, 05:44:10 AM »
NEXT UP: Maryam Singh, Palace Housemaid for Abdur Rahman the Iron Amir of Afghanistan himself -- & undercover Clandestine Agent of the Raj's Political Department...



...who uses tried and true tradecraft to get her copy on the down-low from a customer at the FABRIC STALL she runs every other Monday at the Kabul Bazaar...





***NOTE: POLITICAL DEPT.  OFFICER ORSON LYME
SERVING DEEP UNDERCOVER AS AN AFGHAN WOMAN***









Now safety stashed under a bolt of Tajik linen,
Maryam will read the Trib cover-to-cover in the
safety of total isolation the first chance she gets...

7. THE PALACE SERVANT (& SPY FOR THE RAJ)



Hari Hardoon, Peshawar Beggar & Covert Asset (AKA: Informer) for the Raj, who snags a copy from the Printing Shop in exchange for telling the Pukka Foreman's fortune, then sells it on the street to whomsoever he may meet...



Such as this blue-shirted OFFICER in side-cap sipping from a vermillion cup & saucer...



He's CAPTAIN R.J. GALLANT, C.O. of the Bombay Sappers & Miners Company recently arrived from Karachi...



Captain Gallant is no admirer of beggars, but he does enjoy a good read...



And he's a fan of Reginald Winkie -- no surprise,
so a deal is struck and a paper sold...



8. THE BEGGAR (& INFORMER FOR THE RAJ)



Long after the sun sets tonight, Mayank Jan -- Sarban Khan's blue-turbaned spy in Peshawar/Dargai/Wherever Blood Oath Loyalty Demands -- sits ensconced in the charred remnants of Dargai village at the foot of the Malakand Pass...





...Yet somehow this resourceful villain (or hero,
depending on your point-of-view) has managed to
get his hands on a copy of you-know-what...

Though for some reason... he appears
to be reading it upside-down???



9. THE SPY FOR THE REBEL KHAN



Now we rewind the clock and return to early that same day at Peshawar's Kabul Gate, where Havildar-Major Kunara of the 127th Baluchis is watching 2nd Brigade march out, feeling sadly disappointed that he and his regiment are being left behind to hold down the fort instead of heading to Dargai for a chance at action...





Poor old Havildar-Major Kunara...



But rather than wallow in disappointment and self-pity, Kunara cracks open the Pesha Trib and has at it...



Now there's a way to put a positive spin on
the day -- well done that Baluchi man!



10. THE NCO



Strangely enough... one of the most dedicated and loyal readers of the "Pesha Trib"  -- as those in-the-know call it -- cannot be found anywhere above: we speak of CAPTAIN ELLIOT HARDIGAN, COMMANDING OFFICER E/B RHA (E Battery B Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery)...

...BUT THAT SAME CAPTAIN HARDIGAN CAN BE FOUND HERE -- DRIVING HIS 3-GUN BATTERY THROUGH THE NIGHT TO REACH 1st BRIGADE AT DARGAI AHEAD OF 2nd BRIGADE, PER SPECIAL ORDERS FROM GENERAL WHITSEND...







11. THE BATTERY COMMANDER

(Who must wait to get his hands on a copy
of today's Trib until when & if
he gets where he is going)



12. THE SWAMI


(pictured above is FAKIR FAYSAL,
the acclaimed Peshawar Swami
seen here reading his treasured
Pesha Trib while relaxing on
his favorite bed of nails)

From Modern Major-General to Swami and Beggar to Spy, what they read about in the 18th of August 1890 Edition of The Peshawar Tribune is RUMORS OF WAR in the North at Chitral and Malakand, and the South at Thal and Jandala, and while some take it in stride, to others it seems as if the North-West Frontier is a powder keg ready to explode...

* * * * * *

Whatdya hear, whatdya say,
The Pesha Trib works hard to keep its loyal readers
On pins and needles,
in every conceivable way!

--The Editors
« Last Edit: September 28, 2021, 07:37:19 PM by Mad Guru »

Offline Marine0846

  • Supporting Adventurer
  • Galactic Brain
  • *
  • Posts: 6607
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #294 on: September 28, 2021, 03:05:12 PM »
Great set of photos.
Good to see the Queen's men on the march.
There needs to be order on the Frontier.
Seems like the local rag, (sorry the Peshawar Tribune) is a hit.
News papers can be used for so many useful ;) things.
Great fun guys, thanks for all the work.

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #295 on: September 29, 2021, 10:54:00 AM »
The News
Also in the palace of Umra Khan comes the last copy of the Peshawar Tribune...



Oh here is my copy of the Peshawar Tribune... let's go to page 8 ... sport... let's see who won the Epsom Derby... first Sainfoin mounted by John watts, in front of Le Nord and Orwell....the favourite Surefoot just 4th…what a result….



Football news….Preston North End won the League Football and Blackurn Rovers won the 19th FA Cup beating The Wednesday 6 to 1…with Willie Townley scoring an hat-trick…



Mmmhhh…I should live in England too many interesting things to see…
..or I should organize a football team.. The Afridis Wanderers and challenge the Feringhi and those bits of Waziris, in the First Khyber and Umra Khan  Football competition...


let's see the other news... in the Battle of Thal the British defeated the rebels of Sher Khan.... hahahaha usual fake news of these infidels.....
I have Capt. Townsend here with me as proof of our victory.

North of Jandola a strong column under the command of Gen. Mandrake is preparing to attack the Waziris....ahhh well those blasphemous tamarind-eating heretics deserve a good lesson... the Mules dynasty will receive an hard blow...



…in Chitral the siege continues.... the tribes of Black Mountain march towards Dargai... my friend Zibbib Khan with Flash are on their way to Kashmir..... I have to order apricots...

…Siberian Cossack are reported on the border of Pamir…

Ahhh this is interesting …news binoculars from French & Sons LTd of London “ two news eyes to see farther away “, I need to buy one .

…use Pioneer Brand, the only desiccated cocoanut….

…compass Verner’s pattern…I need one too…

what a great newspaper is the Peshawar Tribune, I did well to buy shares!




Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #296 on: October 05, 2021, 09:19:35 AM »
 
Now our hero and his merry friends are in front of a harsh decision: three roads are possible from Matun. Directly southwards has been neglected because a sure road to hell, too many snipers waiting to hit the group. Now Muletail must choose between two other possible roads to reach Peiwar Kotal: the shorter but thru Khost lands and beyond Khurram river, thru many Afridis willing to grasp him and bring to Umra’s den. The longer but apparently safer goes north west to Bar Ferozkhel and from there other decisions…
 
Muletail stops few minutes without speaking, looking at South, towards Waziristan, home… suddenly he turns and cry let’s go Westwards; before dawn we start and if we walk quickly we’ll be in Nader Shah for a quick lunch, now let’s rest. Mustafa realized only the concept of lunch time and went to sleep full of hope for the tomorrow breakfast.
 
Well before dawn the team wakes up and starts an early march in the beautiful Khostwal: Muletail aka Hussein leads the group followed by his brother in faith Abdul Kareem aka Mustafa, Saddam wavering the flag sewed in Kabul and four other Bunerwals, all ready to fight any ambusher.
 


Before reaching the village two tribesmen on their horses appear on the horizon landscape announced by a dusty cloud and reach them in a shadowed gulley.
The tribesmen stop their galloping and the first horseman asks “Who are you? Where are you going?”
 
Saddam was quick to answer “we are pious merchants and are going for a pilgrimage to Peiwar Khotal with this holy banner to declare that only one is the True ruler”
“Mmmmh and which is this ruler?” asked the cavalryman while his hand went quickly on its tulwar hilt.
 
Mustafa was ready to reply “oh the only One, the same that you follow too”
The face of the Pashtun changed and the second said “You say you are all bunerwal merchants but…but you have a Waziri accent!”
 
“No we are all Bunerwals, hosoor” replied Saddam but the 2 tribesman smiled “If you are Waziri you are among brothers, but you have to pay attention, south of here, down to Waziristan, it is Spira district controlled by Zadran tribes which hold it and they do not like Waziris. You are lucky u met us before, now continue after Nader Shah without stopping, go quickly following this road towards north west and you will reach the Kharoti clans who are located in Shomal.
Zadrans do not dare arriving there, but anyway do not show you as Waziri until u are sure about whom you are talking to! You must arrive to Almarah Khost before dark and go over the crossroad to Spera directing to North, towards Kharotis controlled lands.”
Muletail fired with his eyes the poor Mustafa who was just grumbling about his perfect Buner accent.
 
“we must go to Matun, but we’ll return soon back, and we’ll help and give you a ride for some miles”.
The horses disappeared as quick as they came, and our friend continued the march just after a brief rest in Nader Shah where Mustafa could eat more tamarind slices than Muletail could be possible for a single man.
After a quick lunch they proceeded towards Dwa Monda arriving to the crossroad for Spira just for the sunset.
Muletail ordered to Saddam to send two Bunerwals in advance to detect any Zadran tribesman and soon they returned with important news.
 
They scouted but were detected by a group of warriors close the crossroad to Spira.
 
Now 5 warriors are running behind them following the road.
“Quick all the men behind those sargars and use only your tulwar, I do not want that their friends here around are alerted and join us during the fight.”
 
“And let Scrud (*) be with us” cried Mustafà;  after few minutes five warriors arrived running, confident to easily steal the 2 scouted travellers.
 
“Now” cries Muletail and the 7 warriors attack with their thirsty tulwars but the Zadrans spring like tigers and kills 3 Bunderwals changing the balance of the skirmish.
 
Muletail rallies his friends but a tulwar cuts the throat of Saddam while killing the first Zandran.
 
Mustafa cries and the three remained charge wildly and hit one tribesman each changing again the power balance.
 
The khan of the Zandrans fights like a wolf and gain another time before falling down. But that time was not wasted because 4 new warriors arrive from the road to Matun and seem surprised at the sight of the death. Immediately Muletail charge with his friend and they kill other 3 warriors revolving again the situation and then killing the last one. Not the time to breath and another warrior appears but he is immediately despatched and the same happens to a last warrior arrived running few minutes later while they were burying their friend dead. At the end 11 Zandran warriors are dead but also 4 Bunderwals, including the bold Saddam.
“Yaman take the flag and wrap Saddam in it, he carried it since Kabul and he deserves it; complete burying also the Zandars and let’s go quickly, now we have won some hours but soon the dead will be found, and their friends will come in search of us.”
Mustafà objected “we are under Zandars threat and we could just put in a faster mass grave - or even leave them unburied” …

“No that could definitely offend the comrades who will find the unburied dead. They are muslim like us, and furthermore they will not be immediately detected. Do not enter in too much of rush from our fear to be attacked by other Zandars”
“not fear, our devotion to mission” replied Mustafà
“If we leave our dead enemies unburied despite them being fellow Muslims, this pisses off their fellow tribesmen who find them” Muletail yells at him “needlessly motivating our foes”
“I was only very dedicated to accomplishing the mission ASAP!” replied an offended Mustafà
“oh stop it. Quick now, and then to Bar Ferozkhel”
Two hours later they arrived to Dwa Monda,
 
“Other Zandrans coming?” asked worried Mustafà
“no not from Matun” answered Muletail and then smiled recognizing a group of horses leaded by the 2 tribesmen they met in the morning
 
The Pashtun cavalrymen stopped, and the first cavalryman says to Muletail:
“You are only three now. Many voices are in Matun and talk about two important panthers coming from Kabul to lead the True Rule jihad, our khans say to take these horses and go with the Ruler, may he be blessing your mission”
“And may the holy Ruler be blessing you and all Waziris and their allies. May all your dice be 6”
“And may you always fight with this ferocity, we saw the traces of many buried warriors and many bloody spots on the ground” said the Pashtun cavalryman thinking at the recent butchery “the elders want you take this old flag too and wave it again as when our ancients fought under Mohammad Akbar Khan, son of Dost Mohammad Khan, at the battle of Jamrud fort, when our ancestors fought together with Afridis to kick off filthy Sikhs from Punjab. Only Waziris should fight Afridis, it is our shared privilege since Sikander Khan came and was repulsed with first invaders!”
 
Now it is time you go and free all Punjab again from Ferenghees, Pardani and Sikhs!” then all turned and galloped towards Matun as quick as they arrived.
 
“And now to Bar Ferozkhel!” Muletail cried “let Saddam’s death was not useless and we will be his avengers! Yaman wave the flag in his memory, next time we will wave it on a heretics skulls hill” and the three survived galloped silently towards new adventures with the old glorious flag wavering in the breeze which moved the heights of the few trees which dominated the rocky landscape from the surrounding hills.

(*) SCRUD details are described at following past post in this topic: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.msg1687252#msg1687252
« Last Edit: October 05, 2021, 11:25:29 AM by giorgio »

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #297 on: October 06, 2021, 10:32:48 AM »
KASHMIR

"Zibib this is Kashmir ... a place of peace and rest.

Maharaja Sir Patrap Singh lives in his capital Srinagar, we are good friends, we will ask him for porters to cross the mountain passes up to the north.
There is also another person there, Machede Maranda Gurung retired subedar of the 5th Gurkhas. With him we have to organize a squad of soldiers, because the places we will cross are very dangerous, inhabited by warrior tribes. The least that can happen to us is having to pay tolls or fight for our lives! "




"Hello old gurkha ... how are you doing without cutting off Pashtuns' heads? "


"Flashy my friend ... I'm old for kukri ... but I keep myself fit by training kashmiris for maharaja ... how can I help you? "


"Gurkha I need 20 soldiers, as the True Rule said , good, reliable men; we have to go up north and as you know those are very dangerous lands. "


"Flashy I still shoot well , normally I don't go up the 7 ...and with me there is my comrade in arms Naran was naik in my platoon,another crack shooter,  he will be happy to be able to lead his hands against those northern barbarians. Give me a few days and I'll find the men you need ..."


"Gurkha this is Zibbib, he cames with us , is   a good friends  of mine, you will appreciated his abilities. With him are Walid  and Gul, two of the most fearsome men of the Frontier...we'll make a good Lashkar !"



"Flashy the road to the north is very hard and dangerous...we have to cross the mighty Burzill Pass, and we could find snow and ice...
from Astor to the gorge of the Indus we could be attacked by Chilasis bandits, and reaching the road to Boonj and Gilgit we had to avaoid the Kashmir patrols, as you know is not permit to anybody, except military, to move north of Kashmir.
I don't ask anything for myself, but my men will want to be paid..."


" Gurkha your men will be paid well, for them there are 10 rupees each, and I need about 10 porters, I'll paid them 1 rupee each"

" well Flashy let me enroll the soldiers and porters , I'll search for you very soon"




To be continued...
« Last Edit: October 06, 2021, 10:58:19 AM by Umra Khan »

Offline Sparrow

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1302
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #298 on: October 07, 2021, 04:15:59 AM »
Brilliant stuff!
Put your trust in God and keep your powder dry!

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #299 on: October 07, 2021, 08:03:50 AM »

 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
13 Replies
4619 Views
Last post April 25, 2011, 07:17:58 PM
by lfoster
13 Replies
3494 Views
Last post October 16, 2012, 11:10:31 AM
by Anatoli
0 Replies
1367 Views
Last post May 08, 2014, 04:27:01 PM
by MadWelshWizard
4 Replies
2975 Views
Last post August 21, 2014, 12:05:07 AM
by Barry S
5 Replies
2928 Views
Last post October 14, 2014, 04:55:44 AM
by john d law