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Author Topic: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign  (Read 96037 times)

Offline Umra Khan

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  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #405 on: November 18, 2021, 01:34:44 PM »
Mmmmh perhaps not the worst post in this topic...perhaps...probably u will receive news by Mulehead's lawyers...and you know...in Wana lawyers discuss by tulwars...no rest for the wicked...

SURRENDER TO TSATF !

Offline CPT Shanks

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  • Posts: 275
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #406 on: November 19, 2021, 02:01:21 AM »
"TSATF? Wrong mess, old chap, suggest you toodle along the lines to one of the more louche establishments."  - SJWALKER38
"welcome to the world of cascading failure"


Offline Mad Guru

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 711
    • Maiwand Day blog
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #407 on: November 19, 2021, 02:41:58 AM »
Well, well, CPT Shanks... what perfect timing indeed.  I was just in the midst of preparing a post expressing my gratitude for the kind words and compliments to our campaign brothers.  But now I see you make such comments obsolete. What tremendous surprise!

Well, keep on keeping on, as those Holy Warriors at the Salvation Army have been known to say.  Meanwhile, I must say... you make me as comfy and cozy as the illustrious officer at the center of this souvenir keepsake photo:



"Wrong mess" indeed!  Have no fear, sir, I shall not allow myself to be surrounded by such erstwhile "friends and allies" without a veritable army at my side -- be it in the mess, on the plain, or atop the pass!
« Last Edit: November 19, 2021, 03:51:29 AM by Mad Guru »
"We shall see what wisdom lies beneath my madness!"

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #408 on: November 19, 2021, 05:33:34 PM »
KAJERAY

“Great battles happened at North and great were fought in Waziristan, our homeland. We must understand what happened, in the meantime we cannot risk to go directly southwards, we will proceed towards Peiwar Kothal and from there we will decide the future steps” said Muletail to his friends.

“To go there we will pass thru Mir Zakah, the village which lies on the old caravan route from Ghazni to Gandhara! The village famous because is where it is said Sikhander treasures are hidden!”

“And is famous also for special tamarind pies!” Said Mustafa before Muletail melting him with one cold hard stare.

 
On the dusty long caravan road joining Gardez and Mir Zakah , part of the ancient route from Ghazni to Gandhara, where for centuries Persian goods were brought to Kabul to return with a precious spice to help having dreams and fantastic flights with  exalted minds.
 
Yamal was twisted in his breast by 2 mighty feelings: fear and cupidity. He was still under the effect of Mustafŕ stories of the devil Tszar, ferenghes eater, that was with his nightmare since the adventure at Gardez Pass, and wasn’t completely sure that he has left the danger of meeting with such a devil in Gardez. But he was also fascinated by Muletail’s story about amazing treasures left by Sikander when he marched on the very same rocky stones more than 2 thousands years before. Also Sikander was a devil, but not so evil, and he dreamed to find part of his gold.
His dreams were interrupted only by the encounter with caravans returning to Gardez
 

“Have a good day” Mustafŕ cried “May the mighty Ruler replenish your journey with richness and prosperity, have you some good tamarind slices to share with three poor pilgrims going to Kabul to pray on the grave of their brothers”
“Mustafŕ!” Ghaazi Muletail El Komiss aka Husseinl said bitterly “we have no time to waste…”
“True Hussein, but it is better we eat every time we can without long stops in Mir Zakah”
 

“Anyway, we’ll have to replenish our food stock because then we entered in the mountains area and u bet it’s much better for us to have enough food and fur”
” Pay these caravaners and don’t stop for swallowing dozens of slices!”
“Sure Hussein, only one very little, only to be sure it is good food to exchange with our good annas…”
“So, good brothers, which news from North?” asked Abdul Kareem aka Mustafa
“Not very good, Ferenghees are winning everywhere, great battles were fought near Malakand pass and the Ruler, may his name be always blessed, allowed them to win, even if Pashtun stories tell they were defeated. Now we want to return quickly in Baluchistan before other problems will occur. Some merchants spoke about a great Afridi’s victory in Thal and now the answer by Ferenghees will be ruthless, voices say that the devil himself, Fullerton, is coming with fresh Baluchi reinforcement from devasted Tochi Valley”

Yamad asked
“which tales do you know on Mir Zakah? Is it true that ancient treasures are buried there? And… that the area is protected by demons? Tzsar?”
“Oh, Russians are much worse than devils, they are Persian great enemies, but we will beat them if they dare to come. There are voices that now are very busy north of Peshawar, but they are not so mighty to survive a good jezail bullet! But where you come from?”
Muletail interrupted the conversation just when Mustafŕ was starting to bite his fourth slice “Stop talking and stop eating” added staring Mustafŕ “now we are very late. Yamad pay for the tamarind and let’s continue the march. We must arrive into Mir Zekah before night”
“Yes Hussein” replied Yamad and a reluctant Mustafa payed the food not before grabbing in his pockets few extra slices, and left the caravan to its destiny.
Few hours late and many hundred miles (well, at least that is what seemed to Mustafŕ) our heroes arrive close a little village
“C’mon Folks, few miles and we’ll be in Mir Zakhar” said Muletail encouraging the depressed friend
“Look, after the curve there is a detour which brings to that village” Yamad said curiously
“It should be Kajeray” said Muletail
 
“I wanna eat, I refuse to do another single pass without having some food!” Mustafŕ protested
“Mmmh it could be not wise, we should go directly into the safe wall of Mir Zakah” replied Muletail
“I will arrive dead, starved, no I desperately need this stop”
“ok but only ine hour to buy other dates and tamarind. But where are all our reserves? Already eaten?”
”oooh Hosoor, great calamity, we were cheated by the Persians, it was not good tamarind and I had to eat it to verify that no other waste food was mixed….”

“Ok Yamad you remain here at the crossroad to patrol who is coming, I will cover your back ready to snipe from those rocks if there is a trap. You enter buy, eat something and fill our water bottles, then come out immediately and we rush towards Mir Zakah to arrive before night” said loudly and then whispered “or we risk to never arriving.”

Mustafa goes quickly to a seller of tamarind and assure all his bags are filled with tasty fruits.

 “How many annas for twenty tasty slices? The most juicy and sweetest”
“Oh we have the most delicious tamarind of all the region. You won’t find such fruits even in Mir zakah!”
“mmmh are we far from Mir Zakah?”
“not really, only twenty minutes but it is not wise walk alone in the evening, are you alone hosoor?”
 
Muletail was caught by surprise for the sudden appearance of Yamad.
“What are you doing here?”
 
“I saw a group of twelve tribesmen and 3 Pathans took this road, they do not seem simple sheperds and are fully equipped, I go to alert Mustafŕ”
“No it is too late, I hear their voices, probably u were not so fast but it could be a possibility for an ambush, let’s go behind those sargans”
 

Three tribesmen were coming quickly when two sudden shots broke the evening silence.
Yamad open the fire but nervously in the fading light miss his man, while Mulehead with a “6” kills the chief of the warriors. In few seconds Muletail and Yamad with their tulwars are on the surprised survivals. Two stirkes but only Mulehead hit his man who fall down heavily wounded and uncapable to continue the fight.

The last warrior misses his chance and Muletail with another “6” closes the fight.
“What amazing warrior 6 5 6r” said Yamad looking admired at Muletail who answered, “I’d like to be able to say the same…anyway look” One is not dead, we should despatch him or he will alert his friends”
 

“Wait Muletail, I can speak Tajiki, and we could get some important information”
“You speak Tajiki?”
“yes I do” answered triumphamtly Yamed “ I studied in Kabul” and the speaking with the wounded old Tajiki: “You bandit friends what why?”
 

“Mmmh it seems it do not want live anymore” said Yamad unsheathing his tulwar
“Stop him” The Tajiki cried to Muletail
Yamad stopped “do you speak Pashtun?” “Sure, better than your Tajiki”
Yamad stepped back offended and humiliated in front of Muletail
“Listen why are u following us” “We didn’t follow you; we saw this stupid running away at our arrival and we were detached to bring back him, or at least his rupees”
“Now I will have to kill u or u will give the alarm when they will come in search of you
“No stop, if u spare my life, I will teach u a different path to rejoin the main road few hunder meters after the first crossoroad, behind a huge rock, and u will proceed unseen. Before they realize the trick u wull be safe in Mir Zakah.” whispered the tajik “and if u give me some fresh water, I will kept my mouth as curled as an hedgehog”
“Before tell me where is this path” “Water…” “The path!!!” “Just behind the house of the tamarind seller, unseen because protected by three high rocks and few bushes…now water” Muletail nodded to him “Ok get it but do not drink too quickly”said Yamad “Not so quickly, not…he is dead” Whispered meeting Muletail glancing to him and the dead Tajiki.


“Let’s hide these bodies behind the sangars, this will mean few minutes more for us, then rush to alert Mustafŕ and go to Mir Zakah” ordered Muletail
 

“Mustafa run we have to leave the village NOW” “Muletail I found these tasty tamarinds for few annas you can get generous portions…”
“No time and don’t call me with my name in public, quick taje the food with Yamad and follow me” Muletail run towards the hidden path to put the greatest distance between them and the Tajiki
“What happened?” Mustafŕ asked to Yamad
“We were attacked by a dozen of bandits and I saved Muletail defeating them, but we must avoid their friend come to avenge them in a new feud!”

“Oh boy u ve learned well my lessons, you performed nothing but an act of derring-do.” Mustafa said proudly while Yamad took care to remain at enough distance from Muletail during this conversation. And now to Mir Zakah and its hidden fabulous treasures…
 
Mustafa turned for a last glance to the tamarind market stall but…dozens of shadows were appearing over the hills ridges…only the incoming darkness and the rocks shadows could save him to be detected, but for sure it was not a nice news for the Tajiki following them…he was staring them...who are they?
 
TO BE CONTINUED
« Last Edit: November 19, 2021, 06:02:21 PM by giorgio »

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #409 on: November 22, 2021, 11:26:47 AM »
The Cease

After the ambush of the Chilasis at the gorges of the Indus, where  Flashy and the Gurkha were wounded,  both recovered from the wounds (tossing 3 and 4 on recovery table) and the 4 men , Zibbib Khan, Flashy , Gurkha Machede Gurung and Walid Khan marched down to the Indus towards Gilgit …

Upon reaching Boonji Fort Zibbib, and his companions are stopped at a checkpoint...

...There are Kashmiris soldiers all around  them, the Havildar Chung Din of the 1st Imperial Kashmir Rifles surrounds them with his soldiers with rifles pointed...

A detachment of the 5th Gurkhas rushes in  under the command of Lt. J. Kennedy…

…Good afternoon Gentlemen, I am the Lt. Kennedy of the 5th Gurkhas, this is a military checkpoint in the Northern Territory,  what are you doing in the military zone? The access in this area is strictly forbidden ,... I don't think you have permission to be here...



Zibbib Khans  question answers…
We are workers for the Mr. Spedding's Company, we are catching up with our team which should be up beyond  Gilgit...we were attacked by Chilasis tribesmen at the gorges...you should send a strong detachment there to catch those marauders


Lt Kennedy
I'm sorry to hear about this fact of weapons... I will inform my superiors...in the meantime
Please show me your permits…


Zibbib show the documents…
Here are our permits... have already been checked other times during our trip...



Lt Kennedy
Havildar Din bring these documents please.....
these documents are fake... and Spedding's teams have not yet arrived in Gilgit... raise your hands all ... Havildar Nilai Gurung have these men searched for guns...



Ohoh…what I see…you are armed to the teeth...you are not workers as you mentioned... Havildar arrest these men, and escort them to Gilgit, where you'll  explain to Maj Forsyth who you are and what you doing  here...



To be continued…

Offline miltiades

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 534
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #410 on: November 22, 2021, 02:55:22 PM »
AMAZING! I hope to see it  soon  as a movie film ! o_o

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #411 on: November 22, 2021, 03:02:16 PM »
AMAZING! I hope to see it  soon  as a movie film ! o_o

My hope too  lol lol
thanks !

Offline CPT Shanks

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 275
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #412 on: November 22, 2021, 03:19:36 PM »
Armed guard all the way to Gilgit this should reduce their risk of further bandit attacks. But what happens when Maj Forsyth gets a hold of them? Will they wish the bandits had just ended it for them, or is he part of the greater game? Great developments.

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #413 on: November 22, 2021, 03:28:35 PM »
Armed guard all the way to Gilgit this should reduce their risk of further bandit attacks. But what happens when Maj Forsyth gets a hold of them? Will they wish the bandits had just ended it for them, or is he part of the greater game? Great developments.
with armed escort should be a safe journey...
rumors says that Maj. Forsyth is a thickheaded officer...
and probably in next story also some news from  Maa Din (El Osprey's son )? ...who knows... ;)

in the meantime I'm recruiting actors for the upcoming film... :)

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #414 on: November 23, 2021, 12:59:56 PM »
Mir Khan Khel -  Prelude Scenario F “take the high road”

Mirali village, 5 Km south of SpinWam. Season has changed and now a freeze wind is brushing each and every rock in Spinwam district. Near the ruins left by the Ferenghees , not far from Spinwam , or from what is remained of it, few well known ruffians, or patriots if u like, are discussing in a very hot jirga. And they are all Afridis but of different tribes, let we zoom in the jirga to recognize some old friends.
 
Here we are: the chairman is Sher Khan with his Qambar Khel tribesmen, after capturing Capt Townsend he is put in charge of protecting all south boundaries from Thal downwards to Mir Ali.
 
He is discussing with Abu Zar Khan, Kuki Khel warriors leader with his maliks Ajab Khan and Shahid Khan,
 
and Jammas Zada Khan and his Zakha Khel Pashtuns.
 
“Sher Khan, our re conquest of Thal and destruction of ferenghees trenched inside give us the strategic possibility to join our armies and destroy the devils coming from Tochi valley”
“Shut up” cried Sher Khan “how do you dare to give me suggestion on strategy after your poor performance during the fighting in the outskirts of Thal? You both lost the opportunity to destroy Ferenghees and allowed their retreat into Thal!
“That we reconquered” said proudly Jammas Zada Khan
“yes” Sher barked “ but losing precious days, now we cannot concentrate on the Ferenghees coming from Tochi valley, the flying devils of Fullerton, may the ruler convert all his dice into 1 and 2. General Davenport in Bannu is preparing a new column for Major Vousden and my spies reported that new highlander and Gurkha units are undergoing to be painted. So now we have to split again our forces. We proud Qambar Khel warriors will march to intercept any force coming directly from Bannu to Thal and u both, scum of my army, will entrench in Mir Khan Khel to stop or at least delay Fullerton advance. Shahid s snipers already got an heavy toll contributing to the defeat of Ferenghees vainly entrenched in Thal and this time will have the opportunity to enhance their honor firing directly to Fullerton”and Sher continued hissing “and also to silence the voices which want they not so keen to fight…”On the jirga only deep silence”You foolish cowards must follow my rules!”
Abu Zar with flaming eyes took the opportunity to defend his khan and free the frustration accumulated in the meeting and erupted:
 
Sher unimpressed continued “As Fullerton’s devils arrive you will send a messenger and I will be the hammer who will splash him on your anvil”his only reaction to Abu Zar’s aggressive words was limited to unsheathe half of his tulwar to remember who was the chairman of the jirga.

“But the devils are famous for their valour, for lucky or value it is composed by excellent officers”Abu Zar replied understanding the message and breaking the explosive situation.
“That is true” Sher admitted, apparently worried ,but more than happy to skip the impasse “but perhaps it is just a test by the Wise Ruler to try your faith showing that He can find the victory also among misery …or more probably His Punishment for your sins, thief of goat! Go and hope to catch a quick messenger, and hope that when he reaches me I will not too busy with my bhindi and ghost and don’t worry both of you, see? All is going fine, as we say: look there is okra in here “ ahahah and he laughed putting his spoon in the smoking cauldron.
“ Bhindi and Ghost, red meat and green okra, you and me” said sadly Jammas Zada Khan
 
 “you are right “nodded Abu Zar Khan “green like the field around Mir Khan Kheri…”
“And red like the blood, ours probably…”Closed Ajad Khan
 
” You fool have provoked me stealing my goats and,,,”Growled Sher Khan
“Goats were of my village…” A khan tried to interrupting him
 
“Silence!” roared Sher “You are lucky that I don’t want to waste my time as u are destined to Ferenghees’ lead. This test will be terrible but not impossible…it is like this bindhi and ghost
 
If you have few onions u can supply more okras, if u have few of anything just doubled your okra but never NEVER reduce the meat which must double the rest. With Fullerton you can concede the green fields around Mir Ali but never without tolling a heavy token of red Ferenghees’ meat! Go and remember that even if not Qambar Khel you are anyway Afridis warriors and Afridis blood is in your vein!”
 

In the same moment, on the opposite side of the valley, Col Fullerton is having a short briefing with his officers, bold Lt Best in command of Guides unit, lucky Lt Dawes and his gallant 14th Yorkshire unit and the new arrived capt Liver of 26th Baluchi with his aura of predestined hero preceding him. With these gentlemen the question you can have is not if they will win but who will be the first to get a VC.

Gentlemen, a private survived to Thal carnage informed us that Abu Zar is going to reconnect with Sher main army (viewers may find the details of Thal storming at following link: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.330 ).
I have very clear the situation, we have all the time to anticipate him as he will have to recover after the fightings before rejoining with his alley/enemy Sher Khan, but as we say in cavalry: if u can charge tomorrow charge today, anyway always charge!!! Unfortunately, I have not as many squadrons to charge the haphazard village defence as I would, but the strategy is always the same, remember that the bayonets are the finest weapon for close quarter, charge them killing and pursuit them up to Thal. But for this probably my Guides will be enough; they are well used to exploit my victories. Ah Captain Liver, this the first time you fight with my devils, isn’t it?”
“Yes Sir yes, it is a privilege and an honor to be included in the famous derring do Fully’s devils. My boys are excited and willing to show you that they deserve such privilege”

“Well captain I imagine those Sher’s ruffians are waiting for us and it should be uneducated let them wait too much, we will strike before they receive Abu Zar’s reinforcement. Column deploy on the ground and at my order march singing my preferred tune, over the hill and far away to Queen Victoria we all obey”

From R.Winkie “Ballads from Peshawar Barracks”

O'er the hills and  the Yusufzais,
Through Wazirs, Afridis and Orazkais,
Queen Victoria commands and we obey,
Over the hills and far away.
 
If I should fall to rise no more,
As many comrades did before,
This Indian song you have to play,
Over the hills and far away.

Will Abu Zar keep stubbornly his position gaining time to spring Sher’s trap? Are his Kuki Khel and Shihad’s Zakha tribesmen ready to die for the glory of Sher’s Qambar Khel? Is fear of Umra’s ferocious revenge enough to incentive his men?
And Major Vousden is ready to march with his precious train of artillery and mules? And Sher will adhere to his original plan to be the hammer on Abu Zar’s anvil? Or better concentrating on Vousden mules and allow Ferenghees to vindicate his stolen mules and teach to Abu Zar a harsh lesson?…



To be Continued…
« Last Edit: November 23, 2021, 01:23:26 PM by giorgio »

Offline JBaumal

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 743
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #415 on: November 23, 2021, 04:18:00 PM »
Great reports / episodes gentleman!

Offline Shikari Sahib

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Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #416 on: November 24, 2021, 07:16:39 PM »
Great AAR...one of the best threads ever !!!

Offline Mad Guru

  • Mad Scientist
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    • Maiwand Day blog
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #417 on: November 25, 2021, 08:17:47 AM »
...THANKSGIVING  ON  THE  FRONTIER...

Thanks, Shikari Sahib, very much appreciated!  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the USA and this thread and the new friends I have made and old friends I have spent more time with by participating are among the things I am thankful for this year!  Sorry to get sentimental but have no fear, more blood and carnage, memorable characters -- and the occasional rewritten song lyric -- will follow.


BELOW: Mulehead Khan, Gul Akbar Khan & Bad Ass Khan strategize how to convince their opponents of the error of their ways and bring them to the faith of the One True Rules...



...while BELOW: the Mad Guru, Ali Razah Khan, a prostrate player to be named later & Umra Khan pray that their misguided opponents will see the error of their ways, renounce their False Beliefs and follow the One True Path of the OTHER RULES...

« Last Edit: November 25, 2021, 09:58:44 AM by Mad Guru »

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #418 on: November 26, 2021, 05:18:14 PM »
The target of 20000 viewers has been overcome! The important news has been received with enthusiastic parades and spontaneous parties in all Punjab!

Also important leaders such as Umra Khan and Mulehead khan suspended friction and hostilities to enter in these frenetic dances!

As the old Mad Guru used to say when he was younger "nothing is more funny than firing to Ferenghees, but if u cannot u can spend your time riding mules or jumping in a Khattak dance!"

Thanks to all the viewers for the kind words of appreciation and a special thank to the friends involved in this topic on both sides of the pond! :-*
Very soon more details in the next Pesha Trib issue ;)

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #419 on: November 29, 2021, 03:03:29 PM »
Mir Khan Khel -  The battle Scenario F “take the high road”
“Well captain I imagine those Sher’s ruffians are waiting for us and it should be uneducated let them wait too much, we will strike before they receive Abu Zar’s reinforcement. Column deploy on the ground and at my order march singing my preferred tune, over the hill and far away to Queen Victoria we all obey”

From R.Winkie “Ballads from Peshawar Barracks”
O'er the hills and  the Yusufzais,
Through Wazirs, Afridis and Orazkais,
Queen Victoria commands and we obey,
Over the hills and far away.
When duty calls me, I must run,
To stand and face another khan,
But part of me will always rest,
Over the hills and mountain crest.
If I should fall to rise no more,
As many comrades did before,
This Indian song you have to play,
Over the hills and far away.

Will Abu Zar keep stubbornly his position gaining time to spring Sher’s trap? Are his Kuki Khel and Shihad’s Zakha tribesmen ready to die for the glory of Sher’s Qambar Khel? Is fear of Umra’s ferocious revenge enough to incentive his men?
And Major Vousden is ready to march with his precious train of artillery and mules? And Sher will adhere to his original plan to be the hammer on Abu Zar’s anvil? Or better concentrating on Vousden mules and allow Ferenghees to vindicate his stolen mules and teach to Abu Zar a harsh lesson?…

The Raj units approach Mir Khan Khel deployed in a long horizontal row, the only problem is time, only tvelwe turns separate them from evening and after that it will be too dangerous remain so far from the entrenched camp prepared in Mir Ali, to avoid to be surprised by Sher Khan enforced by Abu Zar’s units returning from the stormed Thal. 
 
But opposed to them, well protected by sangars and ruins, there is not Shar Khan but Abu Zar with his veterans who conquered Thal, ready to gain time and allow Sher Cla to close the loop and encircle the Ferenghees.

The objectives are clear: Fulerton must storm the village and open his way to Thal within 12 turns, Abu Zal must resist and allow Sher Khan the time to entrap the Ferenghees.
 
In the first turn gallant Baluchi under capt Liver used his ability to perform 2 actions and pinned Jammas Zara unit which did not rally and that means no fire for two turns as they are the only well-armed unit. Any relation between their behaviour and the previous day furious fight with the harsh offences by Sher Khan?
 
Guides fire pin Ajab unit on the opposite side of the village and at this point Fullerton takes the fatal decision to attack to storm the sangar and encircle the other unit.

Was this decision generated by fear of reinforce arrival? Or, as some enemies said, jealousy for infantry successes?


Whatever the root cause, the results was negative. Guides were stopped on drawn between the sangars and ruins and had to retreat becoming an easy target for Abu Zar and Shahid and only a lucky reroll of dice saved Fullerton himself, but his unit was cancelled for the day.
 
At this point Baluchi and guides, reinforced by the Green Howards, started a devasting fire until Jammas Zara routed and after him Shahir’s unit left the village, relatively damaged.Treachery?

At Turn 10 the turning point, both Abu Zar,  close to border,and devasted Ajab must rally with 2 pin penalties but they roll 10 and 12!!!

The remaining two turns get heavy toll devasting Ajab’s unit but they allowed Abu Zat to return and score the last victim of the day hitting one guide.
To avoid feud with Zakha tribesmen it is probable that Abu Zar will close an eye on Jammas Zada behaviour at the beginning of the battle, but it is a good opportunity to wipe out two emerging kuki kheri khans and probably this is the last time we meet the opium addicted Ajab and yellow belly Shahid who will be promoted to garrison some goats breed somewhere on the internal mountains.
 
At this point Fullerton returned on the battlefield just to order a general retreat, before reinforcements could destroy the column, surprising it in open field. Now the Raj units must manage returning to Mir Ali Mirali to reconstitute the column before returning Northwards.
 
But it is a long way back, few cavalries to scout and patrol the path, and AbuZar saved the village and is the flag around whom dispersed tribesmen rally with new volunteers willing avenge the past sufferance inflicted by Fullerton’s previous campaigns. He wants run to intercept Fullerton column before reaching the safe entrenched camp in Mir Ali Mirali and new Poona squadrons released by Major Stockfish, happy to remain safely in Tochi Valley devasting and looting the last untouched villages.

One of the last but not least khan to join Abu Zar Khan was Wali Khan, the second son of Sher Khan, with supplies and animals raided during his journey. A new alley or a spy, ready to report everything to his father?

Fullerton before turning the head of his horse roared his menace: he will ride with the sole purpose to cause immense suffering among Afridis civilian population, indiscriminately killing farmers, cutting trees and destroying Mir Khan Khel.
But in this way he only showed his great weakness, as once Umra Khan teached to Wali khan :
“When you’re not strong enough to punish the camel, then go and beat the basket carried by the donkey.”
 

 

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