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

[Abrasapuentes]

Yes, I've been seeing it, but come on, in my case, I've been playing a Necromunda campaign with a friend for more than three years. We will play every two months and I have the same feeling of enjoyment, being able to create a narrative, based on the results of the different games.

[miltiades]

I enjoy so much every one of your posts !

[giorgio]

Allison goes northwards to Biland Khel – prologue 1


It rains. A subtle noisy wet hailstorm that keeps all the men under the cover  of the tents.
Well, not really all, some unlucky sentinels keep on patrolling each and every inch, controlling the safe arrival of last camels with precious load. Left the safe entrenchment in Shewa, now in front of Raj men there were only rocks, ravines and gorges, and that is the nicer part. Behind that the grimmest, ferocious and most ruthless warriors that a mind could imagìne in his worst nightmare.

But let us return only few hours before... it started just west of Shewa.

“Sir a new message is arrived from Bannu!” The sentinel cried towards Capt Allison, a good chap loved by his Gordons.

Sergent Findlater took the message and brought immediately to his Captain.
Allison read the message and immediately called a meeting with two other officers. “Sarge Findlater, call immediately Lt Lone and Lt Porter” “Sir yes sir”

and few minutes later: “Gentlemen” Allison said with his roaring voice “Nicholson is marching northwards to retake Spinwam, that means that Afridi in the South will be very busy, but that cuold be a possibility too, if we act quickly, to surprise Sher Khan and his ruffians out of Thal defences. Once there all the communications between Bannu and Thal will be under our control and the road to Chitral opened!”

“That's fantastic” Porter  confirmed with his usual enthusiastic approach “We should go there and destroy that snakes nest”
“mmmh not so easy Richard, they will  have a lot of scouts and sentinels and...” Lt Lone replied, niknamed in many Calcutta clubs as Lone-Mug, for his ability to be the last to stop drinking gin.
“Oh Lone-mug, you have drunk too much gin for today, Porter is right, the first we go the most we'll conquer” Allison closed the discussion “Gentlemen in an hour I want your indian units and my Gordons ready to march!”

“No artillery captain?” Lone asked trying to simulate a sober state.
“No time for funny gunny games, we'll bayonet all of them, won't we, Porter?”
“Oh yes, we'll do! Bayonetting and crying Bydand, our everwinning motto”
Lone seemed not touched but all that enthusiasm. “Better I check some bottles of the right one are in the baggage, mmmh and it's starting raining again...”

But in the dark outside Shewa curious eyes record everything

And quickly Sher Khan is informed of what is happening...

[giorgio]

In the lair of the Tiger, Afridi go southwards to Biland Khel – prologue 2
Rocks, ravine, gorges all dip into a frightening silence, broken only by the sharp screeching of the hawks flying alone over the travellers'heads.

The quiet distressing silence is suddenly squashed by a quick galopping of two horses, coming from Shewa.

Twenty hands take the reins while tribesmen close the road, immediately the new arrived are checked and then pushed towards the inner rocks up to the court of the leader of all lands south of Thal: the infamous Sher Khan.

Received the message, he starts mumbling over the next steps. He is a cunny fox, leader of Afridi Qambar, carefully chosen by the great Umra Khan to defend the southern borders of Chitral and he wants to use this prestigious position to enhance his own power and empower his sons to legitimate their position under his wings.

Two of his sons are well known Khans, already met in many battles: the young Wali who won many fights, trying to get the leadership over Afridi Kuki Khel, killing also col Fullerton, but at the end he was defeated and returned under his father protection,

and the inept arrogant ambitious Bajadur, self nicknamed Rastun, the Great, who made a good retreat from Gumatti killing also major Vousden, but in the battle of Shewa he made an ignominious retreat and now many refer to him as Baja fine beard.

Well this Ferenghees column seems what I needed, I will send my sons with two loyal Khans and the cream of my warriors, so they will take all the glory and Bajadur will re establish his honour. I will send Abhishek Khan and his fanatic Ghazi and Gobind Khan with the elite of my warriors. Not two great Khans but very loyal and trustable. Otherwise, if the Ruler will choose Wali, this action will celebrate his leadership. Probably not both will return, or at least not both will be the Khan of the day.

The only problem could be the new Khan sent by Umra, the talented Hasan Khan, a master in the using of guns and a great leader. Well in the heat of the battle a wrong manoeuvre, a missed cover, anything might expose him to a Ferenghee's  bayonet, or to a stray bullet, perhaps shot by a jezail...

The Biland fields are going to witness a bloody ambush, will Allison be able to retreat saving his units and giving a blow to Qambar ambitions or Sher's sons will emerge as new candidates for the leadership south of Thal? Both or just one? Or none of these and instead will Hasan push his candidature, harassing even Sher's overall leadership? And which are the secret instructions that Umra gave to Hasan  before sending him to Sher Khan?

There are more snakes in Umra Khan's Mogala court than ears in all fields in Biland kher...

[JBaumal]

Great prologue Giorgio, this will be an excellent battle.

[Mad Guru]

In honor of the sad and untimely passing of Lori Brom -- older daughter of Larry Brom, author of The Sword And The Flame -- we will be suspending our campaign for today.  Several of us knew her personally and we all hold her in the highest regard.  She followed in her father's footsteps as an active member of the miniature wargaming community.  She will be missed by many, but most of all by her younger sister, Christy Brom, who we are all holding in our thoughts and prayers.  Lori was a kind and wonderful lady with a wicked sense of humor.  She definitely died too soon.  We will all drink a toast to her memory.  May she Rest In Peace.

[CPT Shanks]

Mulehead el Komiss,
Khan of Shawal, Lord of Wana and Maizar, ruler of Largha and Barga Sherani, future king of all Afghanistan, Flower of the the Waziri, provider for widows and the families of the martyred. Your guidance in the south has truly taken  the turn we knew it would as you drive back the enemies of the people and grind their bones into dust like so many before them.  The skillful defeat at Zangal Khel of the hated infidels by your chosen khans offer only further proof of your brilliance and a strategist and general. We weep at the martyred Mahnoor Khan, his tulwar will be missed in future battles. His martyrdom will soon see the ferenghi backs broken and then we shall free Peshawar and adorn the walls of the Balla Hisar with the head of Umra Khan and his followers who pledge their salt to the infidels.
It is good to hear of a strong and wise mullah rising in the south. Gathering the faithful to rise up against the ferenghees and their dog supporters. May Mullah Powinda live a long life and lead many to the True path, turning them from their wickedness and following of falsehoods.
We have further rumours of a new threat to our north. Bearing trifles to attempt to win our loyalties to a king in the north called Tzar. These strangers too will meet the same fates of all others who have come from the north. They will drown by legion in the Indus or be taken under by chora and tulwar, but not before we take advantage if their niceties and convince them to fight the Engleez, drawing equal blood upon each other.   I will continue to inform you of their progress down the Indus until it is time to lead them into Punjaband away from the lands of Torghar and Wariri.

Your humble host from Torghar,Lion of the North, beloved of the Indus
Ghul Akbar

[Umra Khan]

THE HUNZA FIELD FORCE
Prologue to the battle of Nilt

On the 20th September of 1890 the HFF left the Gilgit Fortress…


The Punitive Expedition against the Kanjutis,  the Hunza Field Force “HFF” consists of:
1 Platoon of the 5th Gurkhas 20 figs, under the command of Lt. Kennedy
1 Platoon of the 1st Imperial Kashmir Rifles 20 figs. under the command of Lt. Kidd
1 Wing of the Bengal Sappers & Miners 10 figs,. under the command of Lt. Jiulian of the RE
1  Platoon of Irregular Pathans 14 figs, under the command of Lt. Fitzpatrick
1 Section of Hazara mountain artillery  under the command of Lt. Mc Cormick
Command of operations is assigned to Capt. McKenzie of the Seaforth Highlanders
2nd in Command Capt. Tennyson of the 2nd Sikhs PFF…..

Attached to the Platoon of Irregular pathans are our friends Zibbib Khan , Flashy and his retinue.


Zibbib and his men are waiting for nothing more than an opportunity to take Maa Din (the son of El osprey ) and abandon the cheerful group, but they know that it will not be easy... they are involved in a military expedition and there is a serious risk of having to fight... and in front of them beyond the Kanjutis could be the Russians, also interested in the son of El osprey, and Dad Mahomed a pathan from Quetta, a notorious ruffian and assassin, captured last year in Bokhara by Capt. Bower and already escaped...

And if this were not enough, they will have to find the mysterious village of Sust, a kind of Shangri'-la', a place that few travelers have found and that for many has represented death, by frostbite or falling into the ravines or getting lost in the endless mountains of the Pamir ...

The morning of the 24th Spetember they reach the fort of Nilt in Kanjutis territory.
The Fort seems abandoned but informations said that the Kanjutis are inside the fort and entrenched in some sangars across the mountains behind the fort.

Captain Mckenzie issued the order of march  for his soldiers...


Somewhere on the mountains, cunning eyes are watching the movement of the troops...


To be continued...

[giorgio]

Battle of Biland Kher part 1

Dawn is rising also in the Shewa surroundings… “ahem Captain”
”Well Porter? I don’t see your Bengal sepoys, we said one hour, and time is passed” Allison roared to Lt Porter
“Sir they are just returned from a patrolling march south west, to check any move by Kuki Khel…”
“And you had to say that one hour ago! You should but you were hoping to surprise some Afridi units to destroy them, you fool butcher. Now rally a company of a new unit just arrived to Shewa. They are gallant Sikh, the 36th Sikhs, probably tired due the long march, but anyway willing to give to Sher Khan a good lesson. Better you manage to be ready in 10 minutes, or will be courtmartialled! You are risking to jeopardize the whole operation! RUN!”
“Sir yes sir, we’ll be ready before you leave the camp” And Porter goes to rally his new unit, while Lone is arriving with his Guides, but not before winning another attack to the bottle under his coat…



The long serpentine rolls over the dirty path, surrounded by mountains… and controlled by cunning eyes…
Foto Colonna


Allison feels that something is wrong and decides to march only for other 10 minutes, before giving the order to retreat back to Shewa.


“According our scouts we should be over Sher’s ruffians in few minutes but I do not see anyone… Perhaps we should consider going back” Allison insisted with Lone, “Are you sure no one is in front of us” “No Captain, said Lone completely drunk, and tossing a miserable “1”, confirming his drunk mood and 8+ initiative.

The Afridi forces includes Wali Khan and Gobind Khan’s elite troops with Hasan Khan artillery on the left side of the column and Rastum Bajadur Khan with Abhisheck’s Ghazi on the right.
Foto Afridi cards one


 
“Sir movement on our right!” Porter shouted “we have found them!”
“No, they found us” Lone thought with a bitter smile on his red face, opening the bottle and drinking another impressive quantity of gin.
At this point the viewers may want to be informed about a home rule we have introduced, the turn is not player 1 – player 2, but (under permission of Mulehead Khan) we put different color dice for every unit in a bag. Then we toss 1 dice and the related unit moves. We found this a good further surprise that can bring to unexpected results. There are 3 dice for RAJ, 2 for left wing, 2 for right one and 1 for the artillery. The owner of the units involved by dice decides which one is affected, next turn he can decide only one of the remaining ones.
Foto dadi


to be continued

[Rhingyll]

A British brigade, comprised of all Indian regiments, has recently left Gilgit and is marching down the Gilgit River Valley towards Chitral by way of Mastuj. The column is commanded by Colonel James Graves Kelly (known as "Long Nose" to his troops).


The Brigade consists of the 32nd Punjab Pioneers, 4th Kashmiri Rifles, a section of the 1st Kashmir Mountain Battery, and a band of native levies. The purpose of the march is to provide relief to the besieged fort at Chitral. Colonel Kelly was once an officer in the 79th Highlanders and had always expected that to be the case. But an unfortunate incident, involving the widow of a deceased officer and hero of the regiment, caused him to agree to a transfer to a regiment where the passage of time would eventually ease the tension.


With only the rank of Captain, he was the highest ranking English officer in the 4th Kashmiri Rifles when the regimental Colonel died of complications due to cholera. He was promoted and hence his current rank. He feels a strong connection to the 79th Highlanders and as part of his uniform still wears the unique trews associated with them.

[JBaumal]

Giorgio & Bob, great posts gents! I’m really looking forward to seeing how these games turn out.

Hmmmm, variable movement, I like it. Reminds me of the other set of colonial rules, .

[giorgio]

Jeff I understand you cannot stand waiting the battle result, and hereafter only for you...

Biland Kher part 2/2

Bajadur is the first to move together with his devoted Ghazi leaded by Abhisheck Khan., while on the opposite side Wazi Khan and Hasan Khan watch interested: not so bad if Bajadur should receive an infidel bullet…

The Raj troop move to Ghazi direction, while Bajadur follows his habit and retreat his men waiting the support by Wazi.


The turn dice are favorable to Ghazi unit which attacks like a hammer Allison’s Gordons. He retreats defeated just to be decimated by Hasan’ gun on the rear: it is too much for the highlanders which rout, but at least Allison is safe!


Now Porter could fire a good volley on the Ghazi to pin them and give an easy target to Lone’s guides, but he decides to charge them, due to his special characteristics, and fails the toss.
In the mean time on the opposite side Gobind Khan and Hasan Khan advance , while Wali is engulfed with his irregulars in the rough terrain. A very poor performance by both Sher Khan’s sons.


For sure the sneaky Hasan Khann will report a lot of information to Umra Khan… if he will survive the battle…

Hasan Khan is a predestinated one, and after moving he also fires on sikhs getting new victims
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Abhisheck Khan charges the Sicks and obtains 5 hits with 7 dice!!! Porter dies during this charge producing anyway 4 dead Afridis, but his men are scattered and retreat.

At this point Gobind Khan closes on the Guides which are under an ineffective fire by last three Ghazi.

The Guides retreat under the fire of aimed jezails and then Lone retreats with last survived guides and run up the hill to join Capt Allison and they return safely to Shewa to organize quickly the defenses before storm arrives!

At the end it is a great Afridi victory, that Badajuz Rastun is ready to get, sending to his father the news of HIS triumph, while Wali did not contribute anyway to the victory, but Hasan has a different story to tell to Umra…
In the meantime messages are sent back to Gumatti , where Hunters rallies all available troops, including our old friend Percival Desmoyne and his gallant Poona Horse,  sends couriers to Gen Davenport and marches at double straight to Shewa to reinforce Allison with the new British troops just arrived from Bannu.

The destiny of a whole Sūbā (province) is going to be written by destiny dice toss...!
…And Hasan Khan, like a vulture, waits the right moment to get the power replacing Sher Khan and his sons…
All battles are hosted by Genoa Wargame Club “Garibaldi”

[CPT Shanks]

Well, that was a close run thing. Damn near lost the entire force. It did seem a bit unbalanced, but stiff upper lip and solid dice rolls should have made the day. Retribution should be swift or the entire force will be rolled back to Bannu. I'm sure the Pesh Trib will tell a different story. One of glory and sacrifice, not defeat and humiliation.

[JBaumal]

@Giorgio, Another exciting yarn. As Capt Shanks said, it was a near run thing. The Anglo-Indians got a good kick in the pants. Thank you to Giorgio and the Genoa Wargame Club “Garibaldi” for posting another great addition to the campaign.

[Rhingyll]

Constantin Poenaru was born in Bucharest. Poenaru attended the local officers’ school from 1859 to 1861, followed by the École Supérieure de Guerre in Paris. A second lieutenant from 1861, he rose to captain in 1867 and to major in 1872 and commanded the military engineers’ battalion from 1872 to 1877. When the Romanian War of Independence broke out in 1877, he saw action during the Siege of Plevna. In 1880, Poenaru was promoted to lieutenant colonel and he became inspector of military engineers. In 1882, he was made commander of the first engineers’ regiment in the Romanian Army and was sent with a Romanian infantry brigade to assist with the construction of the Trans-Caspian Railroad. The brigade worked on the railroad until 1888 at Samarkand. He had hoped to see the completion of the railroad in Tashkent at which point he would retire from active service and return to Romania. But such was not his luck The brigade was ordered to head in a general southeast direction towards British India. They were to construct bridges across any waterways they encountered. They would be re-supplied on a monthly basis along the route they had created. All went well until they reached Mastuj in the NWF. The brigade had completed a new wooden bridge, basically as an alternate to the existing rope bridge, but had not been re-supplied for two months now. He had sent a messenger back to Samarkand but as of yet had no reply. Poenaru’s only option was to halt and wait. A week or so ago, a British mapping expedition had camped within a few miles of the southside of his bridge. They posed no threat to Poenaru, and left the area after a few days, heading east along the Gilgit River valley. But the always cautious Poenaru decided to construct some defensive breastworks on the southside of the bridge. His men needed something to occupy their time as well and this little project would do. Poenaru’s Romanian Brigade consists of the 2nd Line Infantry, 1st Battalion of the 6th Dorobantsi Militia, and a detachment of the 3rd Chasseurs.