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

[miltiades]

 

[vodkafan]

I am amused by your hard work with all the names: You have mixed up Sikh names with Muslim and Pathan ones and added the Tiger from Jungle Book for good measure 

[Mad Guru]

[giorgio]

Dear Mad, of course the picture was taken during his previous brilliant service in Egypt. But I see that the rumours of his arrival are already panicking the rebels. I have a question for you: in tomorrow big clash who is your preferite: The Anglez Colonel or Sher Khan? The latter could become too powerful shadowing your friend, the bandit Umra khan...

[Plynkes]

Hey, they've got palm trees in Paignton, so why not Peshawar too? 




 

[giorgio]

The message was clear: “Go immediately to rescue the topographic expedition which has alerted by heliograph section team of rumors about tribal warriors approaching their encampment. In the expedition there are also Harald Singh, member of an influent Sikh family  and the daughter in law of Lady Henrietta Bornsmith, a good friend of General Davenport, if so we can say, so it is a must recovering the engineers and staff. We are arriving to support you.” Signed Col Robert Fulisham   

Allison takes his highlanders, a unit of Guide under Lt Lore (the drunken officer…)
and a gallant Baluchi unit and join the expedition escorting them back to Shewa, but…

It’s not a tribal warriors bandit gang, it is the army of Sher Khan himself, 48 points of ferocious, ruthless throat cutters! Will Fulisham “Mule Speed” arrive on time, for once in his life?!?

Mule Speed northumberlands are parading to arrive on time and clear the path to Shewa for  the unlucky expedition, picture courtesy of Mr Ledru of Pesh Trib.

What a battle is going to be fought between two 48 points armies!

[JBaumal]

Giorgio, wow great looking table and troops! Have you fought this battle yet?

[giorgio]

Jeff your desire is an order  hereafter the AAR:

The battle of Shewa surroundings
Capt Allison rescued the civils but now the Raj troops must organize to face attacks that could arrive from any side, waiting for Col. Robert Fulisham .

Suddenly the hills on the north west were full of sounds of thousands sandals and hoesand they appeared erupted like demons puked by Satan himself: the larger army never used in our campaign commanded by Sher Khan himself!

Dozens dozens dozens miniatures including 2 cavalry units and Hasan Khan’s invincible gun running down the hills with only one target: overwhelming the Anglez before the reinforce column arrival.

Col Fulisham is coming… but his nickname (mule speed) was not a good introduction…

Sher Khan gallop behind his warriors joining the cavalry unit on the opposite side and the message is clear: attack!

And his units run down the hills

Allison’s highlander unit pins Abhisheck’s Ghazi and Baluchi Indians are getting the first hits on Yah Khan,

Poona are arriving at full gallop but the Maxim unit keeps the prudent attitude ordered by Mule Speed and remains on the table border.

Scottish troop pin Bajadur but he can rally his men, while Indian fire takes his result killing many tribesmen in Gurjas Khan’s unit.

On the right Narinder Khan advances with his ghazi to occupy a broken ground where intercepting Northumberland reinforcements.

While in the center the Baluchi are disintegrated and Allison is under Hasan Khan ‘s gun fire, until his rout, on the right the guides are taking some victims from Wali Khan’s wing covering their flank.

On the Punjabi left Poona are charging the tribal cavalry unit but the Afridis second unit seems reluctant to be involved and Sher Khan himself must order an advance at double, menacing a visit in the involved tribesmen villages.


Poona wins and pursues, guides are retreating behind rocks and Gourkha and Sikh reinforces are arriving.

Poona destroys the tribal cavalry but is under fire by Hasan and is routed.
   
In the meantime, the guides are involved in ferocious melee until Lt Lone is killed and the last guides rout.
 
   
Fulisham’s machine gun and Hunters’s close rank troopers’ fires on Pashtuns trying to encircle the civils while Nabidar Khan’s ghazi try to charge them to gain time for Wali Khan irregulars.
   
Ledru’s camera records the ruthless fight between English and Ghazi, but got lost during the run to a safer place, out of jezails range; while Maxim gets its toll on Wali’s irregulars. In the meantime Gourkha and Sikh try to stop the warriors from closing on the civils.
   
But Sher Khan has sent his last cavalry unit to close the circle around the civils.
   
Fulisham win the fight with the Ghazi while his maxim gets its toll from Wali Khan’s irregulars-
   
But all the tribal units succed in capturing the expedition, thanks also the passive behaviour of the civils who refused to obey to the orders to run towards the reinforcements, scared by the possibility to be intercepted by the tribal horses.
   
The Sikh fire kills Gurjas Khan but it is too late to reverse the fight result
   
The Afridi succeed in capturing the civils after destroying all their escort units, a lot cash is going to be received to free the hostages.
   
Fulisham has still almost all his reinforcement and prudently returns to Shewa entrenchment, but not before sending messages of the fight result. Now Sher Khan must decide if pursuing him or support the Afridi south of Spimwam. Splitting his army could be an option, but it means giving more autonomy to Hasan Khan, Umra Khan’s puppet and terribly effective on the battle field, whose popularity is growing battle after battle. But now with news of Russians entering from north, probably Umra has other problems more urgent to be faced…
Col. Nicholson has received the messages and he must take a decision too: going back to safe Mirali Mir Ali trenches manned by our friend Capt “Tiffin” or going north to strike Habdul Haq before Sher Khan’s reinforcements arrive from Shewa?
And what about Powinda’s rebels, how much time will they remain quiet, licking their wounds, before restarting the jihad? And Mulehead will support them or…
   
 The battle was fought in Genoa club “Garibaldi”, the club for the discerning wargamer…

[Umra Khan]

Great battle report oh mighty Hosoor, another victory for the Afridis 
Umra Khan's power increases dramatically !!
says the wise man... "so it is of all the right things"

[JBaumal]

Giorgio, very exciting battle indeed!!!! This huge setback for the English will affect the campaign and upset the balance of power within the various Pashtun tribes and peoples. Great AAR and beautiful table. I hope to join you and the Genoa Club crew in Italy one day.

[giorgio]

Jeff of course you will be more than welcome!
But now Sher Khan needs a little help by this campaign followers: he wants to go to support Habdul Haq Khan's Kuki Afridis, but he cannot leave his communication lines unprotected,  with the risk to be encircled by Fulisham, and so a  detachment must be left to check Anglez in Shewa. Who will be its commander?
He must decide among his khans, especially his 2 sons and Hasan Khan, Umra’s puppet.
If he puts Bajadur on command, he is too impulsive and inept. If he put Wali, his elder brother Bajadur will claim the command menacing an internal riot. Third option Hasan Khan, the best fighter, but he could gain too much influence and try an internal change of leadership in the region. What do you suggest him?
Other option could be nominating one of the other winner Khans, triumphing in Shewa battle. Who is enough trustable? What your counsel?

[Mad Guru]

Giorgio AKA: Oh Evil King... it's obvious to one and all of the True Faithful that only by appointing -- and anointing -- HASAN KHAN, can Sher Khan hope for a chance at True and Ultimate Victory... I think deep deep down in your heart of hearts even you know this to be True.  Turn away from your false prophets and false rules and false heirs apparent and for once in the history of your long and sordid reign..... DO GOOD!!!

SO LET IT BE WRITTEN, SO LET IT BE DONE... I'M SENT HERE BY THE CHOSEN ONE...

...to implore you, oh Mulehead, the would-be Amir of all Pashtunistan!

[giorgio]

Mad Guru your words are true deadly poison dipped in honey and tamarind syrup. Hasan Khan is nothing else than Umra’s puppet or, at least, he acts as if he is.
You are Umra’ sneaky counsellor, so you are working to substitute the power Sher Khan’s family with a more controllable one.
But Sher Khan is not a stupid and he knows very well that if you bring up ravens they will gauge your eyes out. He cannot leave tribesmen under direct control of  the talented Hasan Khan, if he wants to rule the area also in the future.
Colonel Nicholson with his quick reaction could change the overall scenario…
Mulehead is the innocent witness and is not influencing Afridi choices. He is just waiting for Tsarist brothers coming from North…
   

[Akrim]

This is such an interesting and fun thread to read - well done.

[borriste]

Bajadur the eldest son must honor his father's wishes. Unjustly considered a vain inept, however, has shown to have the favors of fortune. Considering also that by protecting the lines of communication it will not be able to do damage in the next offensive.