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

[giorgio]

1st topic birthday and 38k views on the very same day! Masterfully planned by the Evil King and carefully executed by hundreds of viewers ! And if you enjoyed these first year  630 posts, you will enjoy much more new ones. Great battles, adventures, happenings, social events, Pesh Trib issues and in September Russians within the borders! Thanks to all for supporting and a special thanks to Mad Guru, JBaumal, Cpt Shanks, Rhingyll  to allow the original Umra Khan’s idea become a funny interesting daily meeting for many of us! And now let’s start the party….BHANGRA!!!

[Umra Khan]

I would like to thank all those who have had the patience to read , and those who  have commented on our thread , which started exactly one year ago.
So this is our 1st Anniversary, we plan  to reach more anniversaries .
Special thanks to Mr. Plynkes ( colonial moderator ) for putting up with us !
Thanks to all the partecipants in  this Campaign ,
Bob , Ethan, Jeff , Giorgio,  Shawn really  experienced  and prepared players  who  become real great friends !
So be written , so be done !

Piero aka Umra Khan

[JBaumal]

18 September 1890 - Lieutenant Lowell &  Naik Majendra Bahadur Gurung #4864, aka - Billy Fish



Lieutenant Lowell and Naik Gurung # 4864 are moving through the foothills looking for good ground for the 1st Brigade to advance upon.

As the Russians move south across the Chitral Territory border …..



….the British move north towards Chitral to relieve the beleaguered garrison of Chitral Fort.



The Anglo-Indian 1st Brigade of the Chitral Field Force is probing north towards the Chitral territory. The attached political officer Lieutenant Reginald Lowell scouts ahead with a patrol of the 77th Bengal Lancers and is accompanied by his adjutant Naik Majendra Bahadur Gurung, also known as, Billy Fish.

Political Officer Lieutenant Reginald Lowell (left) and General Sir Leighton McGuinness (right)



Naik Majendra Bahadur Gurung, aka, Billy Fish, Naik Gurung # 4864 of the 2nd Gurkhas.

They have come across many villages and tribes of various Pashtun peoples. Some encounters have been productive, others have not.




On the approach to Shalkani village Jemadar Singh of the 77th Bengal Lancers dismounts with one section and advances on foot, lead by LT Lowell and Naik Gurung #4864, while the remaining section maintains a perimeter security picket.

Naik Gurung #4864 makes contact with a shepherd who takes him to the village head man’s house where LT Lowell and Billy Fish make introductions.



They are invited to tea and discuss the world. As LT Lowell questions the village elder he sees an old British cavalry saber by the fire, he moves towards it, noticing the Ishapore India 1840 manufacturing stamp. As he attempts to pick it up Tulwars are drawn and jezzails are pointed towards the ferenghi. LT Lowell draws his saber as well.






Billy Fish does not draw his weapon, instead he laughs loudly. They all look at each other and a riotous laughter breaks out amongst them all.



“I see you like my saber Lieutenant!” says Abdali Rahimi Khan.

“Yes indeed Khan” LT Lowell responds. “I noticed a barracks and date stamp, Ishapore India, 1840!”

“You have good eyes and even better perception for a foreigner.” Abdali says with squinting eyes. “My father served in the 3rd Bengal Native Infantry Regiment  during the Indian War for Independence, this saber belonged to his officer who died protecting his men! No one touches this saber. “

“Understood Khan, my apologies for any disrespect and my gratitude for your family’s service to the crown!”

With many stories being told and the sun beginning to set LT Lowell and Naik Gurung #4864 bid farewell.

LT Lowell and Naik Gurung #4864 discuss the meeting as they head back to their cavalry escort.

“That was a very productive meeting. Cooler heads prevailed thanks to you old boy! The general is going to be very pleased with the information we gained about the surrounding tribes and the hidden pass through the mountains.”

“Yes sahib, what do you think
Abdali Rahimi Khan will do with the rupees and rifle you gave him. I have a feeling we will see him again sah.” Billy Fish exclaimed.

That night LT Lowell briefs General McGuinness and his staff.




This action was fought out using a deck of playing cards and TSATF to determine the characters actions.

[MaleGriffin]

This keeps getting better and better!

[giorgio]

Sarobi battle prologue

10 armies are actually involved in North Waziristan and the tide changes at every fighting. Even when the destiny seemed defined, as per Afridis vicotries around Mir Ali Mirali, the death of their leader jeopardized all the gains.
Let’s have a look at the map:

 

The leader of the RAJ column is a very well-known character: Political officer colonel John Nicholson.

Nicholson is leading a mighty force with the task to push back Powinda’s khostwali waziris and give strategic breath to Col Fullerton to drive north his forces, with the west side safe after he had already pacified the south with the victory against Taras Khan.
See link: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.525



The column is made by a unit of yellow boys led by Capt William Rootsy , a sporting umpire, actually acting for Major Robert Sicon, wounded by a jezail shot which obliged Sicon to return wounded to Jandola, avoiding the fight.



 a unit of Sikh pioneer under Capt Stephen Saltfish, an idiot at the best,



and two Sikh units of Ferozepore and Lhudiana, under LT Percival Doisdy,poor leadership,



 and LT Randy Turnside, a young officer,  a brave gentleman destined to greatness, if not stopped before by a Pathan tulwar.





Subedar Panjab Singh  rides close to col Nicholson giving last instructions to Captain William Rootsy, 1st Bengal Lancers.



“Colonel Sahibjee, my scouts reported bandits activities in next village, Sarobi. I gave instructions to my units to be ready to storm it and free the path to North”


“Well done Panjab” Rootsy said “They cannot be a real match for our column, you know: Dogs bark but the caravan rolls on!”.



“Colonel, my long years of proud service teaches me to distrust these ruffians. Something tell me to attack, but providing maximum warning and caution!”
Nicholson spoke to the Subedar in the chaste Punjabi which he was fluent with:
“You are right, they have ears everywhere and probably they are not going to be got surprised by our arrival, not more than me finding rice and tamarind pies for dinner tonight! Alright, let’s go on but keep your eyes open!
“Sahibjee, I’m fully responsible for my men. They are all good veterans and will be as cautious as a lion closing to his victim”
“OK perhaps it will be easier than feared, but I will assure my yellow devils will control the southern area to prevent any surprise, that will be your duty William with your Yellow boys, 1st Skinner Bengal lancers; now you both can leave”



“Sir, yes sir” shouted captain William and rode to his yellow boys mumbling. “Those two natives were too cautious as they see ambushes and dangers everywhere. A good charge of my devils and everything should be quickly resolved!”



“Jee Sahibjee!” Replied Panjab Singh and rode to rally his men and provide last disposition to his officers. “mmmh that English officers is too sporting, Waziris understand only the law of lead and we are ready to serve them some good volleys”



But captain Rootsy was too optimistic as Powinda had already taken his counter manoeuvres sending Ghaffar Khans to reinforce Jammas Khan in Sarobi. (see link
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.600)



“If you, colonel Nicholson, dare to invade, I will use your skull as a drinking cup and your jawbones to beat my drums! Jammas go and theach the Ferenghees the fateful sentence!
With all these warriors you march directly to Sarobi to support Jammas Khan and, with the help of the surprise, gain a tremendous victory deleting the column danger.”



In Sarobi there are three units under Jammas Khan, rallied after the great battle of Ghuam Khan Kalay where Powinda’s nephew Kabir found his martyrdom; for detail on the battle see link: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.450 :



Other 3 units are coming under Ghaffar Khan:



Unaware of the sad surprise, bold Sikhs start marching towards Sarobi while the Skinners ride in the southern country to control any possible reinforcement from Idak.

[giorgio]

SAROBI BATTLE

The Sikhs units’ officers were very heterogeneous, and this had a heavy toll in their deployment. Saltfish remained without actions like Doisby, completely inept. On the contrary, Turnside moved on his Ludhiana and put them in close order before advancing to deliver a volley on Sarobi  defensors.




Captain Rootsy moved his Skinners in the valley to envelop the village and scouted the arrival of reinforcements leaded by Ghaffar khan, whose tribesmen run quickly to support Jammas Khan’s units before the Sikh could enter in touch with.



Frozen by the sight of waziri reinforcement the Skinners stopped instead of advancing, while Turnside’s Sikhs advanced cautiously without firing; in the meantime, the other units marched at double quickly towards the village.
The Sikhs start to fire on Sobha Khan entrenched in the village, whose fire on Ludhiana regiment is ineffective,  remaining out of Kaashif Khan’s irregulars range but the Skinners advancing southwards are attacked by Tawfiq Khan’s cavalry and win the fights leaving the Waziris pinned and ready to be charged by the lancers for their complete destruction, killing also their Khan .




Skinners destroy the unit who routs but loses 5 lancers and his capacity to be a real danger for the Waziris renforcements who run towards the yellow boys. In the meantime, the Ludhiana fires kills Sobha Khan, but the pride waziris rallies encouraged by the close Jammas Khan.
Kaashif Khan short sight can only fire short range and so the Raj can fire safely on the Waziris weakening their force and stressing them to attack out of the village.









Rootsy decides wisely to retreat avoiding the attack of Ghaffar while Jammas replaces Sobha’s unit routed and Kaashif advances to try to fire on Saltfish’s pioneers, supported on his left by the arrival of Ghaffar’s Ghazi, whose jezails take 1 hit but the pioneers pass the pinned test ignoring Saltfishìs confused orders.
Now the battle reaches its decisive moment: 3 sikhs units vs 3 Waziris ones, while lancers, Punjabi cavalry and Sobha’s unit seem useless. The sikhs have the advantage of firing and try to pin the Afghans so to fire again up to routing them, but Mahboob khan is coming and could revert the situation, the same if Saltfish’s pioneers won’t be able to stop Ghaffar khan’s Ghazis.
 
Kaashif retreat pinned, but Jammas’ Waziris don’t remain pinned and kill one Ludhiana Sikh and the unit is pinned. This is a great success doubled by the triumph of Ghaffar’s Ghazi who kill 7 pioneers against only 3 victims, and the Sikhs retreats pinned.




But when Pioneers are retreating opening the Raj flank, the Ferozore, bolstered by Subedar Singh’s presence,  deliver a second devasting fire on the winning Ghazi killing 5 tribesmen and pinning them, just after have killed 6 Kaashif irregulars the previous turn. An outstanding performance if you consider they serve under the inept LT Percival Doisby, known in many officer clubs as Percy fine moustache!






Not even the time to fire pinning the Ghazi that Mahboob Khan charge but the Sikh emerge victorious even if inferior in number in a complete butchering where 6 Sikhs are killed versus 7 Waziris, which retreat pinned.

At this point while Percy delivers his fire on Ghaffar, Colonel Nicholson runs to Captain Rootsy’s lancers crying: “Now William, now’s your time! Charge with your yellow devils!” and the few remained Skinners attack on the rear leaded by Rootsy, with the Captain crying “With me, yellow boys!”





The Skinners get the Ghazi completely unaware and pinned and continue the charge pursuing them and killing of all them in vain trying evading, included the great Ghaffar Khan, whose death was a definitive blow to the Waziris hopes.





The last 2 Waziri units deliver a poor fire hitting 1 lancer and then evade leaving the road open to Idak.
Nicholson is with Capt Rootsy and Subedar Panjab Singh.



“well done, Subedar rally your units and assure good rest for your Sikhs for a well-deserved rest, well…deserved by almost all of them. My special congrats to LT Percival Doisby, he was a real sangar during the battle and his Ferozopore are tremendous fighters!”
“Thanks Sahibjee”
“And you William, well done my boy, you got the head of that ruffian, now Powinda will need to retreat to lick his wounds”



“Thank you Sir , my unit needs now to be reinforced by the sowars coming with Major Sicum, if he will heal quickly”
“Don’t be humble William, your charge gained the day and you deserve to lead your devils in our march towards Mir Ali Mirali”
“Sir thank you sir, but we have payed a great token, with 6 lancers hit out of eight"
“And my units lost exactly half of their Sikhs, 18 heroes”
“Yes but the ruffians lost 43 warriors of which 3 Khans (Ghaffar,  Tawfiq and Sobha) and 12 cavalrymen.”
And now Nicholson can continue his relief column march, he got 2 great results: Ghaffar Khan, the talented leader personal Powinda’s friend, was killed and Powinda’s army won’t be a menace for many weeks, regrouping in Marsi Khel. He can reach Mir Ali Mirali allowing Fullerton to safely march northwards to fight Wali’s Afridi and take back Spinwam; Nicholson is a very expert political officer and has designed an ambitious and cunning plan; after securing north frontier by Fullerton’s and Vousden’s pincer manoeuvre, he will pursue Powinda to close the game with Jammas’veterans, Jammas Khan being the last formidable obstacle to pacify all the area in North Waziristan included Khost province,  but that will be all another story…

 

[Umra Khan]

These bloody battles are a right purge to eliminate the nefarious Waziris and reduce His Majesty's forces on the Frontier.
My power will increase soon...
Well done Sirs 

[Umra Khan]

Intrigue

Among the sleepy and silent alleys of Peshawar two figures wander suspiciously.


They are used to moving in the dark and their steps are silent.


They are two well-groomed looking people who denote a higher class, they are not Hindus but men from  the mountains.
They are armed to the teeth with their beautiful jezails and  Martini Henry carried over the shoulders.
A sharp Tulwar and a Webley revolver are part of their armament, at the waist held by the cummerbund the knife of the Khyber a Chora.



... Moving safely through the alleys... they meet a figure that hides himself around a corner, a thick and subdued chatter ...some information sold?


... then the blade of the chora illuminates the night and the informant falls to the ground in a lake of blood.

The two figures move away in the dark. who are these two characters? , who is the informant killed? and what did this informant communicate to the two Mountaineers?

To be continued…

[MaleGriffin]

This is the most amazing thread ever! Brilliant work!

[Umra Khan]

thanks for your kind comments, always appreciated.
they are like a reward or  bakhshish ( more appropriated )  for our efforts. 

[CPT Shanks]

December 14th 1890 Rawalpindi
A bloodied dispatch satchel, still locked, but without its rider, arrived via a local to GHQ dated for 12 November 1890 nearly a month after the fact. The local was gifted an annual subscription to the Peshawar Lancer for his troubles and sent on his way. What's that you ask? Couldn't it have just been sent by telegraph?

GHQ, Rawalpindi
ATTN: GENERAL B.BLOOD
12 November 1890

Given sensitive nature of this dispatch I have avoided the use of telegraph and or heliograph to prevent this information from being directly intercepted by locals, the French, or worse forces of the Tsar.

1. With the recovery of BG Channers and retribution satisfactorily enacted on the belligerents (reference action on 9 October: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.585 )  our primary mission into the Black Mountains north of Hazara territories complete.
2. Given the brutally cold nature of winter in the Black Mountains and the snow accumulation expected to all but close the passes thus creating a transportation and logistical quagmire, compiled with the reduction of local forage and supplies through punitive actions...
3.  I have ordered the withdrawal of my main forces to their garrison postings ina and around Abbottabad and Attock pending future regional developments.
4. I have ordered a company garrison, 2/5 Gurkhas, be maintained at Oghi Fort and a company of 7th Punjabis Pioneers to garrison Darband in preparation for spring maneuvers and construction of a road along the Indus.
5. I do not expect any further trouble to spill south of the border and have the Hazara personal guarantees of swift retribution against any tribes that violate the established border.
6. Said date time for execution is 0900, 15 November, 1890 pending no further orders to the contrary from your headquarters.
Respectfully,

BG MCQUEEN
Abbottabad

[Mad Guru]

Hmmmm.  You spin a mighty fine yarn, Captain!!!  I detect a distinct scent in the air.  Smells like... REVERSAL.

[Rhingyll]

Bad Ass Khan, the Tajik Ruler of Badakhshan, derives considerable income from the Lapis Lazuli mines that lie close to the Kafiristan border just southwest of Zebak. With the help of the Russians he had won back control of Zebak but now has received some disconcerting news from some of his spies in Kafiristan. He was informed that a meeting had taken place between the Three Princes of Kafiristan and the mercenary scoundrels; Peachy Carnahan and Daniel Dravot.

The latter two being former sergeants in the British Army, who are now trying to make a name and fortune for themselves in the far reaches of the British Indian Empire. The pair of them command a small, but brutal force, of Kafiris and have armed some of them with a stolen cache of Martini Henry rifles. Word has it that the the Three Princes have contracted Carnahan and Dravot to take control of the mines by force. They have also pledged their personal guard to the effort. Bad Ass, has little to no confidence in his own military to protect the mines. His new found “friends’, the Russians, have agreed to send a force out from nearby Zebak to hold the mines for Bad Ass.





Baggage train leaving the mine with Lapis Lazuli


Russians defending mines:
Leader:  Capt Anatoly Chepiza
1 unit Semenovski Life Guard infantry
1 unit Susdal Line Infantry
Naval Gatling Gun Section

Mercenaries attacking mines:
Leader: Sgt Peachy Carnahan
2 Camel Guns (2 man crew)
1 unit Native Martini Rifles
1 unit Princes’ Guards
3 units of jezail/musket armed Kafiris









The Russians are expecting an assault and Capt Chepiza has placed himself, the Guard infantry and the Gatling gun in a defensive position behind the walls of the mine’s administration building. The line infantry is defending the village just to the south of the mines.





Carnahan has decided to attack the village with 2 units of Kafiris.

The remainder of Carnahan’s men keep out of range and direct site of Capt Chepiza by using the poplar grove to block vision as they advance toward the administration building.




The Russians in the village had too much fire power and easily routed the attacking Kafiris. The remainder of Carnahan’s force advanced and began firing at the Russians in the administration building compound. The camel guns proved very effective, eventually taking out the naval gatling gun and crew. The Martini armed natives became impulsive and foolishly charged out of the woods and into a withering fire from the Russian Guards and were routed. Upon seeing that charge, the Kafiri native unit also charged but were defeated in melee and forced to retreat.

Further fire from the Guards rendered one of the camel guns ineffective and it began to withdraw.
The Russian line infantry had regrouped in the village and were preparing to join the Guards in attacking Carnahan’s weakened forces. Carnahan at this point had no option but to withdraw and concede the day. The Lapis Lazuli mines still remain under control of Bad Ass Akan, the Tajik Ruler of Badakhshan.






Russian Gatling Guns


Camel Gunners

[JBaumal]

Bob, great report my friend. Beautiful table and minis, that was a fun game indeed, thank you for including me in this game.

[giorgio]

THE BANNU SIDE OF THE PINCER

While Nicholson destroyed Powinda’s trap, also North East Waziristan frontier is aflame.
Informed by his Afridi spies that Sher Khan moved southward to break the communications with Fullerton, Major Vousden, always looking for opportunities for gaining a VC, pointed north breaking the defences improvised by Rastun Bajadur Khan in Surani and continuing relentless towards Gumatti.

Major Vousden advance northwards

The storming of Surani was conducted by 3rd Ghurka who succeded well supported by a unit of Sam Browne’s sabres and in the action captured Afridi commander Abdul Khayr while Rastum Bajadur escaped northwards to Gumatti to regroup his Afridi tribesmen and gain time waiting for Sher Khan return.

3rd Ghurka’s attack
In Gumatti, Rastum Bajadur Khan has rallied many tribesmen to gain time and give Sher Khan the opportunity to come back and or reinforcing Thal either supporting Bajadur , or perhaps trying an enveloping manoeuvre encircling Vousden’s column and cutting its logistic path.

Vousden calls Capt Allison “You see Logan this fork in the road, here our paths divide, you take your Gords and go to those houses to clear any possible flanking menace, and bring with you Poona squadron, and a unit of 26th Baluchi and Bombay Grenadiers. Afterwards come back and be my rear-guard to prevent any surprise if Sher Khan will send reinforcements to his son. I will proceed with the rest of the column storming Gumatti.”


“Sir, we’ll reach you after pursuing any ruffians in those huts, please leave some glory also for our boys. Sergeant let’s clear those shacks and show these ruffians who the Gay Gordons are!”
 “Sir yes Sir, with great pleasure, the boys are already ready to fight” and shouted with a voice that probably was heard in Bannu too “Gordon on march!”

With his remaining units Vousden marches towards Gumatti while Allison’s Gordons take the deviation under the sound of their bagpipe and drum.

But well protected behind improvised sangars Bajadur’s few afridis are ready to stop Vousden’s march and prepare the trap which Sher Khan will spring .

Bajadur has called a jirga with local Afridi maliks to rally more tribesmen but the quick Vousden’s march gives him very few time, Tirah borders are too far to be covered in few hours and Afridis tribesmen living in north Waziristan have already pay a large toll to sustain Sher Khan campaign. Few tribesmen to fill depleted ranks and only one old gun is available to stop the RAJ tide.
Vousden’s order to split his column was a lucky decision for Bajadur, because no units were hidden to ambush the advancing Ferenghees.


The destiny of Thal will depend entirely by this battle results…

But between Bajadur’s glory dreams and actual critical situation there is a unit of Ghurkas!


Gurkhas at Gumatti

The surging waters of the roaring stream
Is now filled with the blood spilled at Gumatti;
The blood dances in you, Bannu, in a restless cream
The bloodied waters, down to the Indus river, roar
“I have seen punished the insolent Afridis spread and spotty!”

The RAJ units. This really is some story.
Who would have known here one day the crew
Would cry “Mother mine!”, burning with tears at your sorrow, …
Land of martyrs! Farewell! Farewell to glory!
This wretched today bows his head to you

And those Gurkhas advancing run.
You can thank your Gods, even Kali
And shout 'Ayo Gurkhali! '
Death to Rastum Bajadur Khan!
Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gurkhali'

Poem by R.Winkie (later used in many Gurkha poems) from “Peshawar  barracks ballads”