Save the General's daughter - 25 February 1891, NWF Afghanistan

 

25 February 1891, NWF Afghanistan, General Horatio McGuinness' daughter is in danger, can you lead a successful rescue party and escort her to the safety of GHQ?

General McGuinness is pushing his forces hard to reach the beleaguered garrison of Chitral Fort. The General has made many enemies as he cut his way through tribal territories. Chitrali spies in Peshawar have alerted the local mullah that the General's daughter was soon leaving Peshawar and will be accompanying a resupply column. Thus the Chitrali tribes have joined forces with Bunerwal tribesmen to set a trap for the invading infidels. General McGuinness' daughter, like many other Victorian ladies, lusted to see and experience the Frontier after hearing stories in the Officers Mess of gallant daring do and jingoistic heroics of her majesty's imperial troops. General McGuinness finally relented and let his daughter accompany a strong force on a march from Peshawar to the Malakand Filed Encampment. On the 2nd day of the journey the force was tricked into thinking a friendly village was under attack. The troops in the overnight bivouac stood to and sent a recon force to the burning village. The Indian cavalry troop seemed to find no villagers present, alas they were attacked by hidden tribesmen in the perceived abandoned and burning village. After a fierce close quarters battle the imperial troops forced the ambushers back, both sides suffering heavy losses. During this exchange a messenger was sent back to GHQ by the astute senior NCO RSM Hadji Singh to alert GHQ of the encounter and to send reinforcements! He then ordered the remaining cavalry troopers to proceed to and garrison the small village, prepare defensive positions, and unpack the MG that had been brought with the force. 

Captain Barrington Hawthorne Smyth, Queens 2nd Dragoon Guards, can you relieve the makeshift

garrison of stalwart Indian and Sikh troops to save General Horatio McGuinness' daughter Margaret Fitzpatrick McGuinness?

This scenario was unapologetically borrowed from my friend Andrew who'd sent it me many a year ago. I was setting up a scenario for our ongoing NWF Campaign and this fit the bill perfectly for the intrigue and drama I was looking for. I had to alter it of course, to suit the needs of our campaign and the current situation in my AO. 

Once I run the game this month the full scenario specs will be provided and posted here, I dare not post them pregame as the Afridi and Chitrali spies are EVERYWHERE! We cannot let down our guard or diligence for one moment lest the spies put a Choora in our backs or ambush a column of stalwart imperial troops. Never Trust Anyone on the Frontier, No one is safe on the Grim.

German Seebattalion Gun Crew - 28mm 1890-1915

I use these troops for German colonial actions up through World War One. The gun crew figures are from Tiger Miniatures USA purchased from Recreational Conflict USA and the mountain gun is from Askari Miniatures. I use 1/2" x 1/2" inch magnetized bases purchased from my buddy Bill Moreno at Good Ground LLC.

I start my figs by removing mold lines, burrs, and left over spruce, then wash them with dish soap and water, leave to dry for 24hrs. I glue the figs with white glue on strips of cardboard which allows me hold the figs while I paint them. I painted these in my standard method of cheap black spray paint primer and left to dry for 24hrs. I followed this with a light white dry brush of the entire figs, then block painted Ceramcoat Cloudberry Tan for the uniforms, Ceramcoat black for the boots and web gear, with Vallejo "Off White" for the pith helmets. I used a Vallejo grey to highlight the web gear and boots and Vallejo Brass for the pith helmet emblem. For the flesh tones I used Vallejo "Burnt Umber" as the base then the Foundry Anglo flesh tones in succession. This is left to dry for 24hrs. The bases are then done with artist gesso/resin mixed with various small ballast rocks, sand, and Ceramcoat "Burnt Umber" to tint the mixture. This is left to dry for 24 hours and then dry brushed with Ceramcoat Clouberry Tan, and highlighted with Ceramcoat Trail Tan. After 24 hours of drying time I paint on my shading dip of Min-Wax Polly Shades Tudor Brown. The Min-Wax both shades and protects the paint jobs. This is left to dry, yes you guessed it, for 24 hours before I sprayed Testors Dullcoat over them to complete the sealing and protection which also dulls the shine of the Min-Wax floor stain. 

The gun is cleaned and primed the same way. I used a Home Depot sample pot of Glidden,Warm Caramel #GLN01 … watered down a little bit. The barrel is painted with Vallejo Brass based on my research and input from my friend Dr Roy Jones, a well known and respected gamer and historian of African military conflicts.

Here is a separate post already done for this gun for anyone interested: https://sgtguinness.blogspot.com/search/label/German%20Colonial?m=0

 

Equipment Data from Askari Minis website:

 This very versatile gun was manufactured by Krupp for export beginning in 1895, ironically not being bought (initially) by the German government. It was widely used until as late as 1939. Kitchener had them at Omdurman (being purchased by the Egyptian Army); they were also used by the Afghan army, the Spanish Army in the Spanish-American War and others. The German Army "requisitioned" some intended for export for use in the Boxer Rebellion.

One Krupp 75mm Mountain Gun per package.

This little gem comes in eight parts: gun barrel, barrel platform, carriage, two wheels, two handles for the rear of the carriage, and an optional spade.

Tiger Miniatures UK

Tiger Miniatures USA - Recreational Conflict

Askari Minis - 28mm Artillery

“Never Trust Anyone on the Frontier - an … Epic NWF Campaign"

CHAMLA VALLEY

 

Afghanistan, NWF, Chamla Valley, Winter  1891, with the Russians having split their forces to attack the Chitral territory and the Mastuj, the Russian supply lines have been overextended and even cut in some places. 

Captain Kucherov of the Susdal Line commanding a platoon of infantry and Lieutenant Novoseletsky commanding a troop of Cossacks with an attached machine gun have been tasked with a foraging mission to acquire much needed food. 

This classic scenario from the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Sword And The Flame rules book was adapted to suit the needs of forces maneuvering in our ongoing NWF Campaign.

7 February 1891, 05:30

Capt. Kucherov checks his map and prepares the troops to move out.  The order of march will have the Cossacks taking point, followed by the MG, with the infantry taking up the rear guard.

After a hard days march with a couple of hours of daylight left the foraging party advances to the objective, a local chieftain’s tower enclosed by a stone wall filled with a large flock of sheep. It’s a small, seemingly quiet village.

The troops deploy to advance upon the tower.  LT. Novoseletsky orders his Cossacks off the road to the their left flank to reconnoiter the rough ground in front of the vill as the infantry move off the road to their right flank. 

Capt. Kucherov nods to Sgt. Smirnoff, as if giving him orders without saying a word. Instantly the Sgt. barks the command “Scouts Forward”! The scouts double time ahead of the column to reconnoiter as the infantry begin to move into open order skirmish formation advancing towards the broken ground to the right of the column looking for any threats.

Subaltern Sobieski observing the deployment of the scouts and the maneuvering of the infantry to his front unlimbers his Gatling MG and posts his crew served weapon at the rear of the column to protect their six. Johnny Pathan makes a habit of falling upon an unsuspecting rear guard. His Russian Sailors will not be caught unawares.

LT. Novoseletsky leads his Cossacks on the Russian left flank towards the rough ground in front of the vill. 

Corporal Viseli walks his mount towards the rough ground, eyes peeled, his senses alert. The vill is just too quiet, there are no birds to be seen, and the sheep look distressed. Being a farmer from the Ural before he was conscripted he knows something is upsetting the sheep and stops his mount 100 meters in front of the terrain as he disengages the safety on his rifle. 

On the other Russian flank:

As Infantry Sgt. Smirnoff scans the rough ground to his right he sees movement as the rocks seem to come alive. The Pathans spring from the rocks as if they were grapeshot fired from a cannon with the shrill war cry’s of Allah Akbar. 

The infantry scouts did their job as they uncovered a group of tribesmen hiding in the rough ground ready to attack. The Russian infantry rolls their critical morale roll allowing them to form a close order firing line to properly defend themselves!

Corporal Viseli, one of the Cossack scouts raises his hand, dismounts, and takes a knee. LT. Novoseletsky then orders his troop to dismount, form a firing line, and prepare for action. 

Just as he thought would happen, his scouts uncovered Johnny Pathan sitting in the rocks waiting for his men. Luckily his squadron practiced sound tactics and sent out scouts, otherwise his unit may have been shot up in the saddle without putting any rounds down range.

As the Cossacks dismount the Pathans rise from their hidden positions in the rough ground and open fire. An additional unit stands up from their ambush positions behind the wall of the compound. Corporal Viseli mumbles to himself, “I don’t know who’s more clueless, our officers or the sheep we desperately seek.”

Russian right flank:

The Afghans in the vill fired on the Russians who formed a close order single line formation as their fellow tribesmen charged the northern ferenghi. The Russians themselves fired defiantly at the onrushing Afghans dwindling their numbers decisively which put them at a disadvantage for the upcoming melee. Despite the high Afghan losses the tribesmen still charged home. 

On the opposite flank:

The telling musketry from the hidden Pathans forced the dismounted Cossacks back with substantial casualties.

 LT. Novoseletsky orders his troopers to mount up and retreat to the cover of the small hills south of the vill.

Subaltern Sobieski seeing the Cossacks mount up and retreat orders his crew to man handle their Gorlov MG forwards in support to cover the Cossacks retreat, putting rounds into the village and into the tribesmen in the rocky ground on their left flank. 

With the Cossacks retreating under the withering musketry from the vill as well as from the broken ground the Russian left flank weakens allowing the tribesmen to move to their left towards the Russian infantry who are locked in melee. The Pathans in the vill providing accurate long rage covering fire to the maneuvering element to their front. 

The Russian Gorlov MG had a very difficult time hitting targets in the vill behind the stone and mud brick walls. The tribesmen on their left flank were moving quickly and safely towards them behind the protective screen of low hills and rough ground. 

Russian right flank:

Sgt. Smirnoff and his platoon of Susdel Line Infantry defeated the Afghan tribesmen in melee and put them to flight. 

However, with the Cossack retreat, the growing numbers of casualties, and the unknown numbers of tribesmen in the surrounding hills Capt. Kucherov orders his recon force to disengage from the enemy and exit the Chamla Valley. Colonel Stolichnaya will be none too pleased with his failure!  

This game was run at the HMGS-South’s Convention Recon-23 as a demo game for new players to our beloved The Sword And The Flame rules set. We based the game on the Chamla Valley scenario from TSATF 25th Anniversary rule book and tied it into our ongoing NWF Campaign on the Lead Adventure Forum, started in June of 2021. Many games have been run from this ongoing campaign for the past few years from several parts of Italy, California, Texas, Kansas, Arizona, and Florida.

Miniatures: 

Afghan Tribesmen / Pathans: Cast Away Arts Miniatures, Wargames Foundry Askari Miniatures, Old Glory 25's, Perry Miniatures

Russian Infantry, Guns, Crews, & Cossacks: Askari Miniatures, Naval Gun & Crew

Terrain: 

Rough Ground: Bills Gamer Garage, Wall locally produced by Mr. Jeckel and Dr Hyde, 

Tower: Colonial Steamboat Company, House: CTMM - Chris the Model Maker

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

 

As the hard pressed Chitral garrison holds out the honorable General Horatio McGuinness, KMC drives his reinforced brigade NE to relive the siege. Russian General Skobelev, intent on stopping the Anglo Indian relief force marches SW skirting Chitral Territory with the hope of catching the Anglo-Indian force unawares. Thus the scenario is set.

                                      5 February 1891, Chitral Territory Afghanistan 

A Russian Brigade has moved SW around Chitral to block an Anglo-Indian force headed to relieve the beleaguered garrison of Chitral Fort.

 

Russian Forces:

General Mikhail Skobelev

Colonel Igor Blaramberg

Regiments:

Infantry:

• Kanzanski Rifles (20 Men)

• Susdal Line (20 Men)

• Borodinski Line (20 Men)

• East Siberian Rifle Regiment (20 Men)

• Semenovski Life Guards (20 Men)

Cavalry:

• 1St Ural Cossacks (12 Men)

• Stavropol Circassian Cossacks (12 Men)

Artillery:

• 1 two gun battery (8 Gunners)

• 1 Naval Gatling Gun (4 Crew)

 

Setup:

The Russians will start the game entering the North road in column with scouts forward.

 

Goals:

Prevent the British relief force from leaving the field of battle intact in order to reduce their fighting capacity and ability to relieve the beleaguered garrison of Chital Fort.

Victory Conditions:

The Russians must capture or destroy the 40 LB gun and limber to deny it’s use in the relief of Chitral Fort and stop the British from exiting more than half of their force off the Eastern Road. 

 

 

Imperial Forces: 1st Brigade

General Horatio McGuinness, KMC

Colonel Edward Davenport

Infantry Regiments:

• 66th KRRC (20 Men)

• 72nd Highlanders (20 Men)

• Queens Own Corp of Guides (20 Men)

• 2nd Gurkhas (20 Men)

• 3rd Sikhs (20 Men)

• 58th Vaughan’s Rifles (20 Men)

• 32nd Sikh Pioneers (10 Men)

Cavalry:

• 77th Bengal Lancers (12 Men)

• 10th Hussars (12 Men) 

Artillery:

• 1 40 LB gun (4 crew)

• 1 two-gun battery (8 Gunners)

• 1 Gatling Gun (4 Crew)

 

Setup

The Anglo-Indian force starts the game moving in column up the main road heading north with two infantry units already on the table.

The 77th Bengal Lancers are at point 225 with the Heliograph team.

 

Goals

The Anglo-Indian force must exit the field of battle via the Eastern Road relatively intact and with the coveted 40 LB gun for use in the relief of the beleaguered Chitral Fort garrison. Colonel Dano MacGurule and Captain Michael Lucas are depending on you!

 

Special Rules:

To enter or exit a structure, ascend or descend stairs, go through a door, gate, or narrow passage, embark or disembark a conveyance, or to cross a low undefended wall, drop the high die. All other terrain penalties apply as per the standard rules.

 

Field Gun and MG ammo – roll 1 D6 + 6 for the amount of ammo available for the game, min 5 rds per gun. The infantry have unlimited rifle ammo but cannot fire blindly.

 

Game Length:

10 turns, or until the booze runs out.

 

Victory Conditions:

The Anglo-Indian force must exit off the Eastern Road with at least half of their force intact and the 40 LB gun and limber for use in the relief of Chitral Fort. Being successful in this mission could earn you a Knighthood, at the very least you will certainly be mentioned in dispatches.

   

                                                                       

 This game was sponsored with awesome prizes from Al at Askari Miniatures. Everyone got a sample pack of Afghans and Russians or a deck of cards which we use for movement and firing in my preferred rules set The Sword And The Flame.

                                                                     

                                          TURN 1:

 

“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 just confirmed it, a reinforced Brigade is on the march sir”. The Great Game is afoot....

A long column of Russian troops lead by (2) units of Cossacks march south along the road hell bent to stop the Anglo-Indian force. 

                                                                     

General McGuinness' Brigade marches forwards towards the crossroads held by the reconnaissance force, a squadron of 77th Bengal Lancers and a Heliograph team as a squadron of the 10th Hussars cover the column's right flank.

                                                                         

The heliograph crew spots Cossack Cavalry moving westwards towards the village as the Circassian Cossacks advance to cut the road and block the Anglo-Indian advance. 

                                                                       

The Russian column marches onwards as the Cossacks deploy.                                                                           

The 77th Bengal Lancers have maneuvered to the Anglo-Indian left flank to counter the advance of the Ural Cossacks. 

                                                                     

The Russian East Siberian Rifle Regt is closely followed by the Semenovski Life Guards as they move  towards the village on the Russian right flank to support the Ural Cossacks and to occupy the vill. 

                                     Same game turn, different view.        

The Anglo-Indian column starts to deploy units off the road and into double line combat formations to protect the column, the precious 40 LBR gun, and other artillery needed to lift the siege of Chitral Fort.

                                 Brit’s moving North.                                                                          

                            Russians moving South. 

Russian artillery and MG advances to try and cut off the Anglo-Indian force. 

The 72nd Highlanders formed a firing line and poured a devastating volley into the Ural Cossacks. 

The Russians surge forwards, sending infantry units in line to attack the crossroads as well as columns and cavalry on their left flank to close the road exit. 

     

                                        

Her Majesty’s 8th Regiment of Foot make it to the road and set up a blocking force on the 72nd Highlander’s right flank. 

The 77th Lancers follow up the accurate rifle fire by charging the remnants of the Ural Cossacks in the following movement phase. 

        

Russian left flank pushes hard to cut off the road. They are being blessed by a priest as they double-march past. 

                                                                                  

            

                                                                            

                                                                                  

                                                                                             

 

      Gurkhas and Sikhs form up behind the 10th Hussars who have taken control of the eastern road egress. 

                                       

                                       

                                          The Borodinski and Susdal Line Regiments advance

                                                  

As soon as the Gurkhas occupy the ville they are charged by The Russian Borodinski Line Regt. who are supported by the Susdal Line Regt.

                                                                                  

The Kanzanski Rifles take the lead in the assault. 

The  British 10th Hussars charge the Kanzanski Rifles who are in open order formation. Not a good formation to be in when being charged by determined regular cavalry!

                         Russian guns unlimber and post up next to the Siberian Rifles firing line.

                                   The Anglo-Indian troops are now in range, FIRE! Russian Sailors manning a Gorlov / Gatling Gun MG support a 9LB field gun.

Pablo running the Anglo-Indian Left flank being carefully watched by Stephan who's the right wing Russian commander.

Semenovski Life Guards advance over the bodies of the Ural Cossacks who were wiped out!

Furious melees break out on the Anglo-Indian right flank. The remaining battalion of the Kanzanski Rifles along with the reconstituted Susdal Line Regt. and the Borodinski Line Regt. attack the Gurkhas and Guides infantry battalions supported by the hard charging 10th Hussars. (Capt Lucas on left Dr. Jones on right)

The Anglo-Indian artillery and support column moves towards the east road screened by infantry battalions in line.

My gaming nemesis on The Grim, General Mikhail Skobelev, the entire reason the Russians have invaded the NWF in our campaign. My friend Bob (in orange t-shirt) flew down from Kansas once again to lead his Russian forces in our ongoing NWF Campaign. Thank you Bob for sponsoring the Russians and for being an awesome opponent in this ongoing LAF - NWF Campaign - Never Trust Anyone on the Frontier

Russian artillery find the range and begin to hit the Anglo-Indian line causing casualties. Explosion markers by Bud's Blast Markers. (5) of these come with the awesome dice box featured earlier.

Dr. Jones (on left standing in blue) and Gunboat Dan (in green) fight yet another melee using a Bu's Blast Markers as Bud's friend Shawn watches in amazement.... LOL

The reconstituted Kanzanski Rifles loose another melee and rout over the mountain range.

The Semovenski Life Guards secure their right flank against the marauding 77th Bengal Lancers with the support of their Priest. 

A mule born Russian mountain gun posts up next to the Siberian Rifles who are pouring small arms fire into the depleting Anglo-Infantry firing line.

The 10th Hussars fall back after winning the melee with the Kanzaski Rifles due to rifle fire from the Susdal Line Regt. as they are about to be supported by the 3rd Sikhs following closely behind.

The Anglo-Indian artillery train keeps plodding along behind the screen of stalwart empire infantry!

                                                                                    

      Russian artillery ranges on the artillery column and their screening infantry in front of them.

With a concentrated battery fire the Russian artillery rips huge holes in the Anglo-Indian firing lines and even would some of the artillery transport!

                                                                                

With a last ditch effort the Stavropol Carcassian Cossacks attack spurred on by their Priest with holy icon to try and stop the column.

Alas it was not to be for the Russians today. The Critical Anglo- Indian Artillery move off the table at the eastern road egress and continue towards Chitral Fort to relieve the beleaguered garrison! The Anglo-Indians are victorious this day, though they have a long way to go in hard going contested county.

Your host Sgt. Guinness sporting an awesome t-shirt my friend Captain Shanks’ nephew made for he and Mad Guru's game at a Desert Wars Convention 2 years ago.

                      

The usual suspects: My friends and gaming pards, front row from left to right, Rick Welch (who sadly passed away shortly after this game) Rick's eldest son Stephan, Pablo, Capt. Lucas, Marc, Jeff (Sgt. Guinness) 2nd row, David (Rick's youngest son) Bob, Dr. Jones, Gunboat Dan.

                                                  

This was another fun game played out with my friends at one of the great Florida cons put on by HMGS-South and personally ran by me from the SMG - South Florida Miniatures Gamers based in    

Fort Lauderdale. We used my favorite rules set once again, The Sword And The Flame by Larry Brom.