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

[giorgio]

Intrigue part 2

Viceregal Lodge in Simla...

Future Nobel laureate Reginald Winkie is discussing to none other than the Commander-in-Chief, India, Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Roberts , an old friend of his, about a letter just arrived from Mogala.

“You know, Bobs, it is very interesting indeed” Mr Winkle said politely to Gen Roberts, then he mumbled:
“It is remembering something I was told already, ah yesss…now I understand...” the kind reader may want to refer directly to link https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.630 : Intrigue!

[JBaumal]

The Яussians Are Coming! The Яussians Are Coming!

15 September 1890 - On the road to Tirakh Mir





EPISODE FOUR: The final post

EPISODE ONE: Page 47 of the Campaign thread: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.690


EPISODE TWO: Page 48 of the Campaign thread: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.msg1762854#msg1762854


EPISODE THREE: Page 48 of the campaign thread: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.msg1766466#msg1766466

The Battle continues, we pick up from the last post......


TURN: 10


Afghan Regular cavalry, “To the Front!”


Cossacks maneuver behind the vill to screen their movement.


Another turn and more charges, the Ghazis attack the Susdal Line Regt and the Afridis charge the Tajiks.


A unit of Pathans make it to the village walls as the remnants of the Tajik Black Lances finally rally and turn to face the enemy!



Afghan Regulars take up a strong position behind cover close to the vill within effective rifle range!




Semenovski Life Guards fire into the approaching Afghans.


Afghan Regular Cavalry and Cossack Cavalry advance towards each other.


The tribal artillery finally move into range and fire on the invaders meanwhile the Russian artillery has been silent due to the wet powder situation.



Wargames Foundry Miniatures Pathan crew and artillery piece.

TURN: 11

The Cossacks and Afghan Cavalry meet head to head with the Cossacks getting the better of the encounter and forcing the Afghan cavalry to retreat.


The Tajiks fail to stand up to the Afridi charge in melee, fall back like beaten dogs, and are “Shaken”.


The Tribesmen throw themselves at the defenses of the vill despite taking horrendous casualties, as Allah wills it, or as the Event Deck wills it.


TURN :12

The Cossacks emboldened by their routing of the Afghan cavalry charge the Afghan regular artillery that has been pounding the village defenders.

The Afghan artillery commander, Captain Mustafa Nadir, cannot believe his eyes, the
Cossacks are charging head long in the open. He bellows, load grape, range 200 meters, wait for it, wait for it, FIRE!


As the smoke and dust cleared from the discharge of the grape and the supporting infantry rifle fire the Cossacks continued their charge through the haze, but at half strength.





Despite the stupendous bravery of the Cossacks the Afghan regular artillery and infantry stand firm routing the Cossacks leaving the flank open for an Afghan advance.

The Russians fire their last artillery round that they were saving for an opportune moment and make the most of it by destroying the Afghan artillery piece and crew with a direct hit!

Artillery marker courtesy of Bud's Blast Markers: https://www.budsblastmarkers.com/



Russian Outcome:
As the Cossacks leave the field decimated, General Skobekev takes stock of the situation. He has lost one cavalry regiment and the Tajik Black Lances are at 30% effectives leaving his flanks open and no mobile formations. The Kanzanski Riles have been eliminated as a fighting force with only the command group left, the Susdal Line Regiment are well below 50%, the Borodinski Regt and the Semenovski Life Guards both sustaining casualties, his Tajik allies refusing to fight, and having just fired their last artillery round until resupply, General Skobelev orders all remaining troops to fall back to the village to form a last ditch defense!



Pathan Outcome:
With the loss of their artillery the local chieftains took stock of their loses and decide to withdraw from the field collecting much booty and confident in giving the invaders more than a bloody nose by destroying one cavalry regiment, putting a second out of action, wiping out the impetuous Kanzanski Rifles, and by putting many more to the Tulwar! Under cover of the battlefield smoke and the approaching dusk the various tribes slip away from the valley with sporadic sniping as the Afghan Regulars confidently cover the Pashtun tribes retreat.

Campaign Outcome:
The battle itself is a minor Russian victory as the village is still in Russian hands. However its a tactical Pashtun campaign victory due to the enormous loses inflicted on the enemy, the lack of cavalry for their scouting and mobility, and the need for the Russians to either stay in place and await resupply, retreat and join up with the main column,  or even possibly pack up and back to Tajikistan.

https://sgtguinness.blogspot.com/2022/08/

A special thanks goes to my buddy Bob, aka Rhingyll from the web who flew in for this game from Kansas, for supplying all the Russians and most of the cavalry for this game, the Tajik standards and Afghan Regulars as well as providing the motivation and excitement needed to get this idea to the table. Thank you to my friends and LAF buddies (Umra Khan, Giorgio, Mad Guru, & Capt. Shanks) involved in this truly epic NWF campaign you created and sucked me into. Your daily messages keep this thing going, with out you guys it wouldn't of happened and continue to happen. Thank you to my SMG clubmates and friends who continue to put up with me and my shenanigans!
                                             
The next episode in this NWF campaign, Never Trust Anyone on the Frontier from the Lead Adventure Forum will be fought at the end of September of this year hosted by the SMG and HMGS-South Wargames clubs in Orlando Florida HurriCon-22.
https://tabletop.events/conventions/hurricon-2022
https://hmgs-south.com/index.html
https://groups.io/g/hmgs-south

Upcoming Scenario:

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

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

5 February 1891, a reinforced Russian Brigade has moved SW around Chitral to block a large Anglo-Indian force headed to relieve the beleaguered garrison of Chitral Fort







I have had many inquires about our dice boxes we use for movement, shooting, and melee. They are custom dice boxes from Bud's Blast Markers. He can put custom designs and your logos on them
These are a great value for the money coming with 5 lighted blast markers, a handful of D6 dice, and a really cool box to roll in. With both the top and bottom being felted they are perfect for head to head melee combat rolls!





https://www.budsblastmarkers.com/product-page/american-ammo-crate

[Rhingyll]

The following is a dispatch sent from General Skobelev directly to Tsar Alexander

Oтправка по адресу: Царь Александр Александрович
От: Генерал Михаил Скобелев
Приветствую вашего самого прославленного царя
My Brigade had our first encounter with the indigenous population. We were not welcomed with the open arms we expected and consequently had to deal with them in the most Russian of manners. Making our way south into Chitral, we had set up an encampment near Tirakh Mir after an arduous trek through the Dora Pass. The first night passed quietly, but the next morning we were attacked by an Afghan force comprised of Afghan Regular troops and tribesman of a yet to be determined origin. The enemy threw cavalry, infantry and artillery at us. The Son’s of Russia acquitted themselves well but our Tajik allies were cowardly and I honestly began to question to whom they were allied. The so-called “Black Lancers” of the Tajik Royal Guard began to ride home as soon as the battle began, but paid dearly and they were harassed and fired upon at every opportunity as the rode back north and away from the fight. Chieftain Kianoosh’s Tajik tribesman moved so slowly toward the action that they may as well have not even been present. As usual, the Kanzanski Rifles were in the thick of the melee and held off three clans of Ghazi fanatics before retreating to the safety of Semenovski Guards position at the main village. We were sabotaged when a native woman, who had been friendly up to this point. doused our cannon powder with so much water that it was unusable. She was dealt with in a rapid and merciful manner. I was confident we would hold our position at the village, but the Afghans rallied their forces and made one last massive press forward. We held steady and their attack fizzled out. The entire Afghan force disappeared as quickly as they had appeared. I plan to stay here at Tirakh Mir for a couple of weeks or so to treat our wounded and gather some supplies. I am concerned that the natives will regroup and attack again in the future. Therefore, my Brigade will move south following the Kunar River Valley. We will stay to the west of Chitral. We know that there is a British garrison there and we are not ready for a direct conflict with the Queen yet. My plan is to set up a winter camp at the village of Parsan,  which is strategically located with a road leading northeast to Chitral and also a road heading further south.
Мать-Россия зовет

[giorgio]

Spoiler!
In the last weeks, shadowed by Russians advancing  news, Muletail is going on travelling  to Peiwar Pass.
(see link https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.690 “The Theft”
Many loyal viewers have written to be updated about his long walk (well really only Umra, for better addressing his cut·throats).



Very interesting news are going to happen, and I cannot spoiler, just be in touch, renew your subscriptions and you will know more about our friends and the new team member Abdul-Maalek, the Muletail’s waziri camels thief (well I should say one of the Muletail’s waziri camels thefts, well perhaps only a Muletail’s waziri…):


An old well known enemy, the Afridi malik Kismet Khan and his 7 escaped ruffians:


Some loosewalas, just painted mercenaries to be hired by Kismet or looting for their own …or both?


A cold icy river near the pass:


A bridge good to shorten the walk or to ambush the victims?



Will our heroes be able to safely cross the icy river in those brain new scenarios which bring to Peiwar Pass? All this and much more, only for Pesh Trib subscribers, the only reliable paper for discerning Frontier gentlemen!

Muletail’s adventures are generously sponsored by “Rashid’s, the ultimate jezail: Try before Buy!"
You can test it in different ambushes for free for 10 days, or just enjoy it in the new shooting sangar, a benefit for most honourable Customers!

[giorgio]

Zangal Khel battle prologue

In Mir Ali Mirali discording feelings are generated by the latest news.
After the death of the local hero Ghaffar Khan at Sarobi, Powinda Mullah speeches boosted the Waziri morale and rallied new adepts for the jirga under the flags of Jammas Khan.  For the Sarobi battle see link https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.630 .
Voices reported by Jandola merchants returning from Peiwar pass spoke of many warriors willing to join Jammas Khan, and the mounted ones were already arriving in the area, bolstering the local waziri.
“Tiffin, you have to act , and you have to do it quickly!” Colonel Nicholson said, wrapped in his frontier dress, fierce of his flamboyant turban.

“Sir yes sir, but perhaps it should be better we reinforce our defences here until conspicuous reinforcements arrive from Jandola...”
“Do not aspect too much from that old  squiffy coward , he will not send here his precious units if not obliged by BiBi. But I have  good news too. Major Sicum ihas recovered from his injuries and is arriving with a squadroon of Madras Lancers! You go to meet him and together patrol and clean all the area around Idak. You have to teach them a lesson they will remember for years. At that point, free from Powinda's menace in the rear, I will be able to hit northwards retaking Spinwam!”

Nicholson roared pointing a spot on the map open on the table. “Now that Allison defeated the Afridi and control Shewa, Habdul Haq and his Kuki Khel are separated by Sher Khan and  his Qambar, and the Afridi subtribes cannot help each other.

“Great news Sir” Tiffin said hiding his disappointment for the snobby Sicum arrival”, I will be more than willing to join old Sicum and after cleaning the area we will party  with a bottle of the special one. He will be not an Achille on the battle field, but has always a couple of bottle of the best gin, west of  Peshwar!”
Tiffin knew very well that Sicum was always surrounded by young officers more efficient in adulating him than fighting with energy. Probably this new Madras officer was not an exception. He will rely only on his ferocious gourkha and a couple of gallant indians regiments, poorly armed and worse leaded. All in all more than enough to defeat a gang of scattered ruffians.

In the very same moment somewhere between Hurmaz and Idak a caravan is slowly proceeding in the dust.

At the head of the kafilah an impressive bashi walks with flashing eyes  spying the Madras squadroon cantering eastwords. “Too early”

Jammas mumbled surrounded by his most loyal maliks “but I have received enough reinforcements to destroy this reinforcement spreading the sparkles of Jihad all over Waziristan! “






All is ready for another great fight, which will forge the next months campaign: Free hand for Nicholson northwards or a revolt involving also Taras'sons warriors? The destiny of many soldiers will be written in Zangal Khel!


The battle will be fought on December 28th in Genoa wargame club “Garibaldi”, the best club north of Bannu!

[giorgio]

Zangal Battle Part 1

Late afternoon in Mir Ali Mirali entrenchments.
Capt Marmaduke “Tiffin” Gonnester and Lt Montague Bannister are discussing out of their encampments.

“The orders are clear: Nicholson wants all the available men for marching at the double northwards. Guides found Afridi warriors joining near Spinwam and he wants to catch them before they can build a strong menace.

That means that your Khyber Rifles are commanded to remain here with a battery of mountain gun” said the Captain

“They will be replaced by a company of raw greens of the second Northumberland, but they are poorly armed too.

Your orders are to patrol the South West area and then, according the situation, go South East or march to support Fennington and his Bombay grenadiers.

Coming from South you will have the privilege to escort Major Sicum just arrived with a good unit of Madras lancers leaded by inept Foster.

I will take care of him an with my Gourkha we'll arrive directly from East and he will take care of the village while my gourkha will clean all the rocky North East area. “


“OmG” Tiffin mumbled, “I have seen many men, but never a such ugly one! Well who cares? It is mandatory that he arrives on time and teaches a good lesson to those ruffians”

Montague replied “Yes Sir I have heard that many Powinda's followers have obtained a warm welcome in the village and many tribal cavalries are already spreading all over the rocky area in the North.” Well,” he thougt, “at least I'm very far from the hottest area”


“Now move”” said Tiffin “and be ready there when we'll start to learn civilization to those ruffians!”

Hidden in the great hills area, sneaky eyes are waiting with infinite patience the arrival of the spotted lancers. A signal and all the tribesmen will run down to cut in pieces the ferenghees and give the start to a general upraising! Jammas Khan is ready to spring his trap!

[giorgio]

Zangal Battle 2

A pale sun is raising spreading his shy rays over the Zangal khel.  Kaashif irregulars have entered in Idak, met by triumphing villagers who receive them with food and songs.

They are going towards the big hills where Jammas Khan has prepared his trap. In the surrounding deserts and rocky area Ekjat Khostwali cavalries, just arrived from Powinda encampment, are galopping for ambushing any Anglez patrolling the area.

In the mean time the Raj units arrive on time according to the planned dispositions .

Kaashif Khan leaves Idak marching southwards and Ekjat Khan leaves the rocky area preparing to harrass the Raj troops entering from East in the hill area and pointing to the rocky northwards, ready to challenge the Gourkha


In the mean time the Madras lancers size the hill area and gets the first objective.

Ghourkas are arriving in the rocky area when suddenly Mahboor Khan with his elite tribesmen appear in front of Ghourkax who are under danger of a cavalry charge on the flank.

Madras lancers occupy the hill and are ready to intercept the tribesmen cavalry, their next target. Foster is completely frozen and cannot give proper orders but his subadar take the lead and the lancers deploy to galopp northwards.

Jammas appears with his men in the big hills, ready to face the Bombay Grenadiers, coming from the West under the command of the prudent Fennington.


In the South Major Sicum is leading Bannister and his men to ford the river after patrolling the area to provide support to Bombay grenadiers.



Indeed, Fennington grenadiers are faced by Jammas Khan and on their flank irregukars are arriving.

In the mean time Tiffin fires on Mahboob elite warriors, but they do not pin

and charge:

But the result is a draw and now the tribesmen cavalry is challenged by Madras lancers and is ready to attack them. Meanwhile Bombay grenadiers fire on irregulars before confronting with Jammas entrenched in the rocks over the hill


Bannister is trying to accelerate to support Fennington giving a fatal blow to Jammas Khan, but in South East area the brutal Chiragdeep Khan is appearing and will try to join the fight before the Raj units can merge.

At this point Balnoor Khan appears in the hill rocky area and challenge Madras lancers with a long range fire that hits one lancer. Jammas charges downhill and butchers the Bombay Grenadiers, finishing to destroy all of them.



On the northern area Gourkha are ready to fight Mahboor Khan to have free access to the rocky area, while lancers and tribal cavalry are ready for a fight that will decide next moves: ghourka surrounded or Madras lancers freeway to Idak!

But from the rock hills Jammas Khan send the signal and Balnoor Khan start descending to intercept the lancers before fighting the cavalry or, at least, charging them before reaching Idak.

On the southern side will Chiragdeep Khan close the trap on the advancing Anglez or Jammas Khan and Kaashif Khan will be pinned and routed?
In the same hours, many miles westward in khosta khel, Mullah Powinda spends his time reading the Holy Rules, inciting people to jihad, painting the last reinforcements:

will they be to give helps to beaten waziris or the cherry on the cake for the final assault to beaten RAJ troops retreating to Mir Ali Mirali?

Afghan sprue is a kind present by Umra Khan, thanks Piero! And Happy new year to all viewers! Do not miss the final episode of the battle, renewing your subscription to Peshawar Tribune: be posted on everything happening on the Frontier!

[miltiades]

What an amazing Campaign ! This is like a movie and even more ! This is as every game should be. I am looking forward for the next episode.

[JBaumal]

Miltiades my friend, it has been a tremendous amount of fun! I’ve always been enamored with the NWF, India, and Central Asia. I’m currently working on an AAR from my most recent large game of this campaign.

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your ongoing awesome Boxer Rebellion 55 Days a Peking thread here on LAF! Keep posting buddy…

Cheers,
JB

[miltiades]

Miltiades my friend, it has been a tremendous amount of fun! I’ve always been enamored with the NWF, India, and Central Asia. I’m currently working on an AAR from my most recent large game of this campaign.

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your ongoing awesome Boxer Rebellion 55 Days a Peking thread here on LAF! Keep posting buddy…

Cheers,
JB

I wish I were with you in the NorthWestFrontier ...It is amazing; it looks so real. I am looking forward to seeing your AAR (here or in Sgt Guiness ?)

[giorgio]

Zangal Battle 3

Foster looks at the tribal cavalry unable to give the appropiate orders, but his subedar Uthay Mudali takes the leadership and order to advance!


Ekjat khan charges the lancers to deny their attack bonus

The clash is bloody but the Madras win the first clash and then sweep out  the tribals killing all of them but Ekjat Khan with his last warrior who galop out of the field.

In the broken lands the gourkha fight feociously against Mahboor Khan with his elite tribesmen

While in the North Raj units seem to have a strong control, on the west side Sicum is arriving to revenge the Bombay Grenadiers

and starts firing and challenging both Jammas Khan, retreating in the uphill rocky area,  and Kaashif's irregulars.

But the brutal Chiragdeep Khan is harassing his men to ford the dry river and close on the Ferenghees to save the day.

In the North east area Tiffin order a last volley who kills all elite tribesmen, included the  proud Mahboor Khan, now the path to the objective is free!
Sicum arrives close to Jammas and his fire accelerates his retreat.


It seems a lucky day for the haralds of civilization and order and progress: Tiffin has destroyed his opponents, Sicum is splitting Jammas Khan from Kaashif Khan and Madras lancers have an highway Waziri free up to Idak

Now all Foster has to do is taking a quick decision: straight on to Idak or join Tiffin? Both could be correct decisions, all but not stopping on the road out of Idak. But Foster is frozen by doubts and he has nomore the valent subedar Uthay Mudali, fallen in the last charge against tibal cavalry.
In the mean time the waziri are trying to spring their trap

While Sicum tries invain to break the irregulars who retreat but don't pin

Forest is stil on the road unable to take a decision until it's too late and Balnoor Khan closes on the lancers

with tremendous ferocity and kill all the lancers without any loss:

in a few seconds everything falls apart: Mahboor Khan closes on the Anglez


Sicum tries to run away, avoiding to be killed or taken prisoner and tosses for his destiny:

He can run away but a last shot by an hidden jezail hits him in the shoulder, causing a serious wound.

In North East Tiffin, leads the last survived ghourka back to Mir Ali Mirali to give notice of the ambush and organize the defence.

Tiffin is returning to Mir Ali Mirali to find there a wounded Sicum and the news of a big battle close to Spinwam fought  by the (invincible?) col Nicholson against the Afridi leaded by Habdul Haq Khan.
And in Shewa Allison and his gallant highlander are facing Shewa Khan and his sons for retaking Thal.

And westwards, in the Kurram valley near Peiwar Pass which new adventures are waiting for Mulehead and his inseparable companion Mustafà?
And what is the Mullah Powinda's Holy/Evil mind planning ?

And all this only about the South, but even bigger happenings are going to arrive from North: Russians are coming!!!
But why remaining with doubts and questions? Just subscribe to Pesh Trib to be always the first to know what is happening on the Frontier!!!

This weekend illustrated report was possible to be printed thanks to our sponsor's generosity.

[JBaumal]

Great AAR Giorgio, this was a very exciting battle.

I can’t wait to see what happens next on the Grim. I must re-subscribe to the Pesh Tribune.

[giorgio]

Unfortunately there is a litte subscription cost increase, you know everything has higher prices: mule fodder, jezail bullets, spies networking etc etc, anything needed to get (fake) news to be printed...

[Abrasapuentes]

So I want to play a campaign. With its narrative and consequences after each act.

It's nice to see how it's possible to get such projects up and running.

Bravo.

[giorgio]

So I want to play a campaign. With its narrative and consequences after each act.

It's nice to see how it's possible to get such projects up and running.

Bravo.

Thanks, but consider that this topic is fed up by 6 wargamers, three of which, unfortunately, are heretics... so it is running with a certain continuity since June 2021 because one of the six has always new material to be posted...