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Author Topic: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign  (Read 95941 times)

Offline JBaumal

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 743
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #510 on: February 04, 2022, 02:14:53 AM »
HOLY $&@? Batman!!! Awesome maps, amazing games, intriguing narratives! Truly an Epic NWF adventure! Great job gentlemen. I will do my best to work on my AAR of the Chitrali’s and Pashtuns encounter with the dreaded Russian ferenghee up north.

Offline CPT Shanks

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 275
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #511 on: February 11, 2022, 04:46:00 PM »
The punitive column from Tilli approaches Seri and splits into three forces.
 


The 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers establish a blocking position north of the village.

The political Officers and their escort move into position from the east.

And the main force of the 11th Bengal Lancers approach from the south west ready to support the political Officers


The plan is simple, the political Officers will engage the elders in an effort to surrender the names and villages that conducted the attack against Parbal Gali and to pay retribution. If they refuse then Seri will be razed.

But no one moves in the TorGhar without being under the watchful eyes of the pathans
« Last Edit: February 11, 2022, 06:33:06 PM by CPT Shanks »
"welcome to the world of cascading failure"


Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #512 on: February 11, 2022, 06:31:01 PM »
Very intriguing Captain! It raises many question, but the main one is: which is the name of the beautiful dog, mascotte of the 11th Bengal lancers?

Offline CPT Shanks

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 275
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #513 on: February 11, 2022, 06:52:45 PM »
The Colonel's wolfhound is Shere Khan. Fights as irregular cavalry but fierce, hitting on a 4+, -2 mellee hits from non cav to to kill and then is only killed on double ones, then takes the hit for the leader on 1-3. On a 4-6 will stay and defend the colonels body to the death.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2022, 07:00:12 PM by CPT Shanks »

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #514 on: February 12, 2022, 02:51:49 AM »
Cool post CPT Shanks, the new Bengal Lancers are beautiful painted and Shere Khan will become an imposing character in our campaign !

Offline Mad Guru

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 711
    • Maiwand Day blog
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #515 on: February 14, 2022, 09:15:49 AM »
The Bloody Elephant's Paw

On August 20th, 1890, 1st Brigade Peshawar Field Force force marched over Malakand Pass, turned East and advanced on Shakhot.  In the early morning of August 21st they reached Thanra village just South of the Elephant's Paw, the southern entrance to Shakhot Valley, inside which lies the Fortress Tower where the High Value Prisoners wanted by the Anglo-Indian forces were believed to be located.

Brigadier Ruff-Husband ordered 12th Punjab Cavalry to take the lead and race through the pass, followed by 92nd Highlanders and 2 of the 3 guns of No. 2 (Dejarat) Mountain Battery; meanwhile 9th Gurkhas crowned the heights to the right (East) of the pass, 23rd Sikh Pioneers did the same to the left (West), 17th Punjabis followed the 2 guns up the pass and were in turn followed by 2 of the 3 guns of E/B RHA; the 3rd guns of both batteries were unlimbered and prolonged to the right to support the advance of 9th Gurkhas...

As 1st Brigade advanced into the Elephant's Paw pass, Gul Akbar's Lashkar (War Party) were alerted to their approach by a local shepherd (they won the "initiative" card draw).  This allowed them to pour out of their recently-delivered tents and race towards the North end of the pass themselves, from inside the valley, without delay...

After cresting the Elephant's Paw, 12th Punjab Cav immediately came under fire from approaching Tribesmen, while other Tribal forces disappeared into various nearby pieces of ROUGH TERRAIN.  12th Punjab Cav were also hit by cannon-fire from Gul Akbar's tricked-out mountain gun, which he had placed atop Zalam Kot Hill, at the foot of the Burj Shakhot AKA: Shakhot Tower...

In fact Gul Akbar Khan had ensconced his brother-in-law Nazim Gul, Gul's wife and Gul Akbar's own sister Farah Akbar, and Nazim and Farah's three sons Raza Muhammad, Baba Muhammed, & Gaza Muhammed in this tower, as it was the safest place in the valley.  There they were entertained as guests of Jamal Shah Baba, nominal ruler of the valley and its 2 villages, and current occupant of the Tower.  It turned out that JSB had put out a call to recruit forces to Gul Akbar's standard, resulting in one added unit of Pathan Tribesmen and one added unit of Ghazis, to supplement his current roster which had suffered significant losses from their attack on the Dargai Cantonments, including the loss of their previous one Ghazi unit...

With these additional forces at his command, Gul Akbar Khan decided to mount a more fully-engaged and active defense of the valley, rather than dispatch one or two units to mount a token defense as cover for the withdrawal of himself and the rest of what remained of his army.  In fact, with some knowledge of the strength of the forces pursuing him, that had been his plan until the pair of supplemental units had arrived at his bivouac in the pre-dawn hours of that same morning...

The battle was hard-fought, with the British advance severely hampered by the narrow bottle-neck of the Elephant's Paw, and slow-going of the Gurkhas and Sikhs as they worked their way up the jagged mountain sides to the left and right.  Gul Akbar launched multiple charges with his one Tribal Cavalry unit, his Ghazi unit, and several units of Tribal Foot, but the combination of British firepower and brittle Pathan morale -- especially after the loss of a unit's sole leader -- allowed the British to push their way through the pass and pull out a victory in the end, breaking several enemy units in the process.  Still, they suffered severe casualties along the way and, perhaps even worse, by the time they had sent Gul Akbar Khan and his army running for Shakhot Pass to the North, the family of High Value Prisoners -- Nazim Gul, Farah Akbar, and their three sons Raza Muhammad, Baba Muhammad, & Gaza Muhammad -- had made themselves scarce.

It remains to be seen what punishment Brigadier Ruff-Husband will dole out to Jamal Shah Baba and the residents of Shakhot Valley for aiding and abetting a self-proclaimed enemy of The Raj.  The Fortress Tower which was the key landmark in Gul Akbar Khan's order to his men after the fight at Dargai may be the next thing sacrificed on the altar of his rebellion -- as may one or both of the valley's villages of Zalam Kot and Shakhot Banda.  On the other hand, the intriguing trio of ancient Gandharan ruins which members of 1st Brigade will soon discover, will be treated with the utmost respect, in keeping with their historical and anthropological value.  But those are stories for another day, as is a more detailed account of the battle of Elephant's Paw Pass AKA: Bloody Elephant's Paw.

For now, the brief summary above and the collection of 40 color-tinted photographic plates below must suffice.  These come courtesy of Neville Crisp, rookie correspondent, who -- lucky for us and his employer, Reginald Wilkie of the Peshawar Tribune -- not only managed to accompany 1st Brigade during their advance from Dargai, but also to somehow bring along his American friend, renowned Texan photographer Mattathias Dickinson (descendent of Alamo survivor Susanna Dickinson), whose handiwork can be seen below:

















































































NEXT UP:

The Kushan Empire Ruins of Shakhot Valley...
« Last Edit: February 22, 2022, 05:58:27 AM by Mad Guru »
"We shall see what wisdom lies beneath my madness!"

Offline Umra Khan

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 306
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #516 on: February 14, 2022, 10:51:03 AM »
Exciting battle with beautiful scenery accompanied by cool photos. Gul Akbar escaped two times .. it would be time to eliminate it permanently before it can become a myth on the Frontier !
Or could be that after this second retreat he decides to disappear definitively in his Tor Ghar and devote himself to goat breeding.

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #517 on: February 14, 2022, 12:08:49 PM »
Gul Akbar did not retreat but actuated a diversion to ambush pursuing units. All pictures very nice but fake. Mr Mattathias Dickinson is just an agent payed to photoshoppe the pictures of Gul's victory. Always glory to the True Ruler's followers and to the martyrs which are paving the road for the true prophet Muletail and his holy jihad!

Offline DalyDR

  • Librarian
  • Posts: 160
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #518 on: February 14, 2022, 05:23:36 PM »
Wonderful images of excellent miniatures and scenery!  I especially like the shot of the Gurkhas charging the ridge!

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #519 on: February 14, 2022, 06:03:50 PM »
Happy Valentine's day!

Offline CPT Shanks

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 275
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #520 on: February 14, 2022, 09:14:46 PM »
 Once again Ghul Akbar escapes the machinations of Ruff-Husband Sahib. Now though he must travel with his entourage not back through the Buner Valley but up the Swat through the hostile Yusafzais tribes sworn to TSATF...

Offline Golgotha

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 2176
    • BMC Miniatures - All things wargame related.
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #521 on: February 14, 2022, 11:28:19 PM »
Golly gosh what a marvellous set up - do like the addition of all the maps and storytelling. Must still give The Sword and the Flame a try maybe using Boers and or Zulus. Could no doubt work for French Foreign Legion.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2022, 11:52:51 PM by Golgotha »

Offline Mad Guru

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 711
    • Maiwand Day blog
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #522 on: February 16, 2022, 05:50:45 AM »
Never thought I'd say this but well done, Evil Giorgio -- that's what I call a hobby-appropriate Valentine's Day message!

To DalyDR and Golgotha, thanks for the kind comments!  And to Golgotha in particular... I commend your WISDOM in observing how wide-ranging is the usefulness of The Sword And The Flame in so many and varied Colonial theaters of war, including various campaigns of la Legion Etrangere!

Last and most definitely least, to my frenemy CAPT SHANKS: Your comment RE: the next chapter of Gul Akbar Khan's journey is uncharacteristically accurate, for as you say, in order to reach the safety of his home in the Black Mountains he will not only have to evade pursuing British forces, but avoid any or all locals whatsoever... as the Yusufzai are known far and wide to bear Blessed Fealty to the One True Rules and to harbor no love for Vile Heresy and its followers like yourself!  Perhaps Gul Akbar will have a Come To The Prophet moment.. see the error of his ways... make a full and sincere confession of his many sins... and throw himself on the mercy of the Court of the Yusufzai!  In the past it was not unknown for such cases to be met with some degree of mercy.

* * * * * *

P.S. These additional pics shows aforementioned Texan photographer Mattathias Dickinson in action, alongside Peshawar Tribune cub reporter Neville Crisp, behind the detached Screw and Horse Guns as they blast away at the only members of Gul Akbar Khan's Lashkar to emerge from within Shakhot Valley (In fact they had routed away from their fight with the 9th Gurkhas, then rallied after reaching the South side of the mountains)...













...While these show Nazim Gul (last Headman of Dargai village prior to it being razed to the ground in punitive retribution for a variety of heinous crimes perpetrated by his brother-in-law Gul Akbar Khan in the Black Mountains) conferring with Jamal Shah Baba -- self-styled Malik of Shakhot Valley -- on the rooftop of JSB's residence, the Burj Shakhot, under the watchful gaze of Luy Halek Yul AKA: "Big Boy" Yul, Shah Baba's personal bodyguard:



...And this last batch show Farah Akbar -- Nazim's wife and Gul Akbar's sister -- leading her 3 sons, Raza Muhammad, Baba Muhammad & Gaza Muhammad out of the Burj Shakhot to an ox-cart waiting to take them North across Shakhot Pass:







« Last Edit: February 16, 2022, 08:39:21 AM by Mad Guru »

Offline giorgio

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 356
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #523 on: February 16, 2022, 01:55:17 PM »
Prologue to Taras Khan's attack

September 27th 1890
Sir I respectfully send to you the summary of the message that the bandit Mulehead has received from the Tochi Valley. Due to the good job done by Powinda Mullah’s Khostwal Waziris, our units are circled around Mir Ali Mirali by Afridis  from North and Waziris from west. As Mulehead heard about an advancing Powinda column, he has ordered his Tochi Khans  to rally under Taras Khan ‘s flag to anticipate Kosthwals advancing.

Col Fullerton’s west wing is composed by 2 Raj units (14th Sikh and 26th Baluchi) and a Kohat battery. The units are less mighty but in a strong position. Hereafter some sketches and a letter to the bandit obtained by our spy activities, although still hidden in the roof of his tower.

The relevant message speaks about cleaingn the road towards Mir Ali Mirali to force Fullerton to leave it and  seize it before Afridis’arrival,  for your due information and necessary actions. Humble servant   Tanas Singh, Subedar 2 Sikh company of Guides PFF.
My humble respects to you, Defender of True Book, Punisher of heretics, Fire in the ice of sins. We are preparing a great battle according your orders, which will be a further demonstration of the Power and True of the Right Rule.  It is written: Tsaloor zamin tsaloor toopakhon, that is: four sons four rifles! I have rallied an army of martyrs which will be leaded by me with my sons and we ensure that it will  fall nor in Afridis’hands neither under Powinda’s influence. Mir Ali Mirali is and will be under Tochi valley Waziris’control and Khostwal warriors ‘influence will be confined to west.
Oh Mighty Mulehead, Anchor of hope for the holy pilgrims, may the Holy Rule provide you of every blessing and success, Be the light of True rule brilliant light like a torch in a cave to show the path of Justice to the holy believers! Very soon my messengers will provide you the keys of the village conquered by my sons!
Your faithful son, Taras Khan , khan of all Waziris leaving west of Mir Ali Mirali and his four devoted sons Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Muhammad Alì Khan, Habibullah Khan and Wali Khan, (note for viewers:  the latter not to be confused with Sher Khan’s second son and actually fighting under Abu Zar on the northern outskirts).

In the meantime in the western outskirt of Mir Ali Mirali Colonel Fullerton is giving last orders to Captain Dennis “Gunny” Murfield.
“You see Gunny, this side seems very peaceful, anyway I will provide to your Kohat batter two units of Raj army: with Sikh and Baluchi support you can keep the position for weeks. It is possible that I will to take them back if Abu Zar decides to advance, those Afridis are devils indeed”.
“Sir, my guides say Powinda has a large army”
“Yes Gunny,  but he is still far from here and the other Waziris probably will attend him for joining his column, and this will give us precious time”
“probably” Gunny thought without even lifting his upper lips “oh my, better for me that it will be true or we’ll have to make a good use of my guns”

Will Taras be able to overcome Captain “Gunny” Murfield outpost?
And Powinda Mullah’s jihad? And Abu Zar’s Afridis? And what is Fullerton designing for Anglez next moves?
And the most important question: will our spy be undetected before next report?
 
To be continued

Offline CPT Shanks

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 275
Re: "Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign
« Reply #524 on: February 17, 2022, 03:59:39 PM »
Jamal Shah Baba seems a bit too unexcited about his valley being overran by infidels. He must have utmost faith in Ghul Akbar to defend it or he has perhaps cut a deal to spare his  village from the wrath of the Britishers.  Who is taking these photos of the lead photographer, bold and daring as he may be, getting frontline action shots.


 

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