british soldier - Flames of War

the young
british soldier
Wargaming the battles of the
Second Afghan War By Andy Hoare
In Wargames Illustrated 288, we presented Andy Hoare’s article on the
Second Afghan War and the his scenario for the Battle of Ahmed Khel.
Andy also provided us with a lot more ideas on how to refight yor way
through this War, and we thought we’d bring them to you here.
Gaming the Battle
of Ali Masjid
This battle is essentially an improvised
siege, though neither side was especially
well equipped to conduct such an
operation. As a wargame, a potential set
up would see the Afghans occupying
a fort on high ground, and the main
British force advancing from the south
towards it. Knowing that a second
British force is executing a wide outflanking
manoeuvre to the north, the
defenders must essentially hold the
attackers at bay for as long as possible,
while their units slip away before the
trap can be sprung. This makes a great
‘timed scenario’, and it isn’t necessary
that the flanking force be fielded – it can
be assumed that if the Afghans cannot
evacuate before a time limit expires,
they lose.
If you would rather zoom in on the
action and represent the battle at the
skirmish level, one phase of the battle
would be ideal for such a game. At one
point, the Third Brigade of the Peshawar
Valley Field Force (consisting of the
81st Loyal Lincolnshire Volunteers, the
14th Sikhs and the 27th Bengal Native
Infantry) came within storming distance
of the fort before they were called off
as darkness drew in. The storming of a
breach by men of any one of these units
would make a great wargame, and again
a time limit could be imposed, in this
instance to take the breach before the
withdrawal order is given.
Gaming the Battle
of Peiwar Kotal
As a wargame, the Battle of Peiwar
Kotal would see the Afghan regular
army deployed in line along a ridge,
with slopes on either side occupied by
irregular tribesmen. The British side’s
objective is to take the ridge, but the
terrain and set up should make a frontal
assault all but suicidal. The British
therefore can only win by launching a
flank attack through the wooded hills
either side of the ridge, at which point
the Afghans will retire.
- Part 2
For those preferring a skirmish, the
storming of the Spingawi Kotal (the
wooded ridge to the east of Peiwar
Kotal) would make for a challenging
game. This action saw the 72nd
Highlanders and the 5th Ghurkhas carry
the heights, opening the way for the
flanking move that routed the Afghan
line. Such a battle would be fought
in open order amongst the trees, with
both sides using troops familiar with
such terrain. The objectives of would
be simple – the British must assault up
the wooded hillside and take the ridge,
while the Afghan tribesmen must hold it.
Gaming the Battle
of Futtehabad
For this battle, the set up is simple – the
tribesmen are holding a sangar line at
the summit of a slope, with streams
running down each side. To set up a
table in such a manner, the Afghans
would be deployed along one short table
edge, while the two long edges represent
the line of the two mountain streams,
and the British would deploy up to half
way onto the table facing the tribesmen.
The players, or, even better, a referee
will need to invent a rule to compel the

tribesmen to charge when fired upon by
the horse artillery. Perhaps the Afghans
must test against their leadership
quality to restrain themselves, or will
automatically charge having taken a set
number of casualties.
Theatre of Operations
during the second
Afghan War, 1878-81
As a skirmish game, the Battle of
Futtehabad offers several possibilities.
One might feature the surviving
tribesmen attempting to break out of
the trap into which they had charged,
making for an interesting reversal of
the traditional image of the last few
invaders conducting a last stand or
desperate break out against a larger
force of natives. Alternately, the idea of
the impassable streams on either of the
battlefield could be explored – perhaps
a small party (of Guides or Ghurkhas) is
caught reconnoitring a flank, and must
escape to inform their commander of
their findings.
Gaming the Massacre
at the Residency
While it might be considered poor taste
to game what was, in effect, a slaughter,
the fight the Guides put up against
the attackers was a heroic act and the
sort of deed that wargamers have been
recreating as long as there have been
wargamers. The attack would best
be represented at the skirmish scale,
focusing perhaps on the defence of the
residency grounds, attempts to break
out, or on the final charge. A ‘realistic’
objective would be to get a messenger
out to appeal for aid rather than to
repel the attackers, for that would
be all but impossible. The defenders
would therefore win not by inflicting
casualties, but by holding off the assault
long enough for a messenger to escape.
Above: Key Locations in the Second Afghan War - 1. Maiwand, 2. Kandahar, 3. Kabul, 4.
Charasia, 5. Ahmed Khel, 6. Peiwar Kotal, 7. Fatehbad, 8. Landi Kotal, 9. Ali Masjid
Map from Essential Histories 40 - The Anglo-Afghan Wars1839-1919,
© Osprey Publishing Ltd. www.ospreypublishing.com
Gaming the Battle
of Charasia
As a wargame, this battle would be
similar to the Battle of Ali Masjid, but
the situation is made more pressing for
the British because a large number of
Afghan tribesmen are closing on their
rear. They must therefore defeat the
main Afghan line within a set time limit,
at which point it is assumed that the
tribesmen enter play and change things
significantly.
As a skirmish, the action could focus on
the rear, with small parties defending
the baggage train against vengeful
tribesmen. Perhaps the wagons,
camels, elephants, etc. are defended
by a mixed scratch force of sick and
wounded British and Indian troops,
plus larger numbers of civilians. Such
confrontations were frequent throughout
the course of the war, with tribesmen
constantly harrying British supply lines.
In this particular case, the skirmish is
part of a larger action.

Perhaps both of the above battles could
be fought, starting with the skirmish
and culminating in the larger battle. For
every turn the defenders of the baggage
train can hold the raiders at bay, the
attackers get an additional turn to defeat
the foe in the main confrontation before
the enemy arrive in their rear.
Gaming the Battle of Kabul
This battle would make a spectacular
game, with a huge force of Afghan
irregulars trying to take the cantonment,
which is held by the classic ‘thin red
line’ of British and Indian infantry
(fighting in winter, many defenders may
have worn the heavier red jackets in
preference to the lighter khaki summer
dress). The defenders should be well
positioned, and able to field their gatling
guns to murderous effect. The Afghans
should be led by the Ghazi, who would
certainly count as elite warriors. The
attacker’s objective is a simple one –
take the cantonment at all costs. Don’t
forget that the battle started before
dawn, so scenario special rules should
reflect the low light conditions for the
first few turns at least.
As a skirmish game, the action could
focus on the defence of the breach in the
northeast corner of the cantonment. This
occurred in the early morning, and so
low light rules could be used for the first
few turns. A game in which a handful of
heroes rally the defenders against a far
superior force, perhaps having to hold
out until other units can arrive to bolster
them, would be a thrilling affair indeed!
Gaming the battle
of Ahmed Khel
This battle is in many ways a fairly
conventional affair, and the tabletop
should feature a road passing along
one long edge, and hills on the other.
The British should be deployed along
the road and the Afghan on the hills
opposite. However, there are two
considerations to make things more
interesting. Firstly, several of the British
units were caught off guard, and this
could be represented by having them
pinned or otherwise unable to react
properly for the first few turns of the
game. The second complication is the
thick dust thrown up by the high wind,
and this should have an effect of the
range of gunfire. The British should
have a hard time engaging the oncoming
horde from any sort of distance,
meaning the action is determined at
close range.
While the main battle presents relatively
few opportunities to fight skirmish
scenarios, the events immediately
preceding it do. With the force
advancing in two separate brigades,
word had to be passed between them
so that they could form up to face the
tribesmen shadowing their movement
through the hills. A great little game
is to be had therefore with messengers
passing through the dangerous terrain
between the two elements, dodging
tribesmen as they go. The table could
feature the road passing down its central
length, and a small British staff section
must get from one table edge to the
other while small bands of Afghan
tribesmen attempt to intercept them.
Note: Andy presented a scenario for the
Battle of Ahmed Khel in WI288
Gaming the Battle
of Maiwand
This battle could easily be fought
featuring the British deployed in a
horseshoe formation, with the main
ravine behind them along one table edge
and the two short table edges being
impassable to them. The main Afghan
line would be deployed surrounding the
British on all sides except their rear. Of
course, with such a drastic mismatch
in force the British are unlikely to win
– the scenario is therefore about them
making a good account of themselves,
as they did on the day. The Afghan
army could feature a banner bearer
representing Malalai.

The numerous smaller actions fought
in the aftermath of the collapse of the
main line would make ideal skirmish
scenarios. Small parties conducting
desperate rearguard actions are simple
to play out, but perhaps of more interest
to the wargamer are the attempts by
small, mixed and probably wounded
groups to steal away through the walled
enclosures and gardens of the village of
Khig. Perhaps the 66th’s mascot Bobby
could even take part in these actions.
This could take the form of a “cat and
mouse” chase through the alleyways
and buildings, not unlike a 19th Century
version of the Battle of Mogadishu over
a hundred years later!
Gaming the Battle
of Kandahar
An interesting way to represent the
Battle of Kandahar would be to position
three or four small villages along the
central length of a long table, and have
the Afghan player secretly split his
force between the defence of each. The
British must fight their way up this line,
winning the game by reaching the last
position.
As a skirmish game, the players or
referee could invent a suitably thrilling
climax to the war (especially if they
have fought this series of games as a
linked campaign). Though Ayub Khan
escaped, and lived for another 35
years, perhaps a small force could be
dispatched in an attempt to capture him
and his officers before they quit the field
and cause more trouble for the British!
Perhaps defended by an elite bodyguard,
Ayub Khan must escape, while a small
force of British and Indians seek to
locate and capture him.
Miniatures
Players should have little or no trouble
finding suitable miniatures for use in
the battles of the Second Afghan War.
Foundry produce several excellent
ranges, including a selection of very
characterful miniatures designed
especially for the period and featuring
oddities such as the Amir’s Highland
Guard and a British officer wearing an
Indian sheepskin pashteen to keep the
cold weather at bay. For those wishing
to collect a larger force of British,
Wargames Factory’s British Firing
Line set is ideal (Rorke’s Drift took
place at the beginning of the second year
of the war).
For those more inclined to the skirmish
scale, Foundry’s Darkest Africa
range provides plenty of characterful
miniatures, as do Askari Miniatures.
British Forces in the
Second Afghan War
The British fielded a wide range of
units in the Second Afghan War, with
regiments coming from Britain and
all over India. Scottish Highlanders
fought alongside Nepalese Ghurkhas,
Rifle regiments beside Punjabis, and
Foot Regiments from the Midlands
beside those from Baluchistan.
Likewise, cavalry was drawn from an
equally diverse range, and most of the
thirteen or so brigades that made up
the three field forces mixed battalions
and regiments so that one European
unit served in the same formation as
two or sometimes three from India.
Such a mixed force is a dream for
most wargamers, whatever level they
are playing at, from battalion-level
confrontations right down to skirmishes.
Afghan Forces
The Afghans were split into two main
groups – the regulars and the tribesmen.
The regular Afghan army had been
armed and equipped by the British in
the aftermath of the First Afghan War,
and in some cases actually carried old
British weapons and wore elements of
worn out uniform. In addition, some
elements of the regular army were very
well equipped indeed, especially that
which faced Burrows at the Battle of
Maiwand. Of particular interest to many
wargamers are the Amir’s ‘Highland
Guard,’ a unit styled after Britain’s
Highlander regiments, complete with
kilts, red coats and pith helmets.
On the other hand, the Afghans often
fielded large numbers of tribesmen,
sometimes alongside the regulars, but,
particularly in the last few battles of
the war, on their own. These carried the
infamous jezail, as well as numerous
weapons looted from the baggage trains
of their enemies, and wore a wide range
of non-uniformed, traditional dress.
Uniforms
The Second Afghan War represents
an interesting period for the collector
of British colonial forces, because it
took place right on the cusp of the
changeover from red coats to khaki.
Contemporary paintings show both in
use, and it is likely that both were worn
by different units in the same field force.
Often, the heavier red coats were worn
in cold weather, and the lighter khaki
dress in the heat of summer. As the
battles of the war were fought in both
the depths of winter and the height of
summer, players can (and should)
use either.
For details of both British and Afghan
uniforms, Osprey’s MAA72 – The North
West Frontier is a great resource.

Wargaming Scenario:
retreat from maiwand
British & Indian Army vs Afghan Army & tribesmen, 27 July 1880, using Colonial adventures
In the aftermath of the Battle of Maiwand, British and Indian
troops fought a series of desperate rear guard actions as they
fell back in the face of far superior numbers. This scenario
is inspired by the aftermath as beleaguered survivors fought
through the streets and walled gardens of the nearby village
of Khig. The game pits a small band of heroes against a larger
number of pursuers, almost like a 19th Century version of the
events depicted in the novel and film Black Hawk Down!
The Battle of Maiwand,
27 July 1880
THE BATTLEFIELD
The table should be set up to represent a typical Afghan
village, with compounds and similar structures clustered
fairly close together in the centre of the table, and vegetation,
irrigation ditches and the likes around its edges.
AFGHAN ARMY
The Afghans consist of a mix of pursuing forces. There are
two ways of representing them, depending on the miniatures
you have available. As both regular Afghan Army troops
(the mutineers) and tribal warriors fought in the Battle of
Maiwand, you could use a force consisting of one or both
types. Tribesmen are represented using the Afghans and
Pathans list in the Colonial Adventures rulebook, while regular
Afghan Army units could be represented using the Ottoman
Empire supplemental army list available via the Two Hour
Wargames website. The Afghans should field three bands any
combinations of type (both types have their advantages and
disadvantages in this scenario).
In addition to the main forces, the Afghans have additional
civilians available, as explained below.
BRITISH AND INDIAN ARMY
The British side consists of two elements. The first band
consists of ten individual miniatures, each the survivor of a
different element of the main army depending on the models
you have available. You could use infantry, cavalry or artillery
officers (though all should be on foot), members of the
commissariat’s department, chaplains, surgeons and troops
from any of the regiments that fought in the battle. Each has a
Rep determined at random by rolling on the European Officer’s
Rep Chart on page 6 of Colonial Adventures. Each model
should be armed as per the miniature, with pistol, carbine or
rifle. In addition, Bobby the mascot dog can accompany this
group, and although not armed (apart from his sharp teeth!) he
has a Rep of 8 and cannot be killed by any enemy with a lower
Rep than him. The second unit on the British side is a band of
survivors from the 66th Foot, which should consist of around
twenty infantry and a Leader. The troops have a Rep of 5, and
the Leader 7.
Bobby
The mongrel mascot of the 66th Regiment, Bobby
accompanied his regiment to Afghanistan, where during
the Battle of Maiwand he was seen to bark at the enemy
throughout the fight. Bobby was thought lost, but the
retreating survivors discovered him following on behind,
wounded, but as loyal as ever. Upon the regiment’s return
to England, Bobby was presented with a DSO by Queen
Victoria herself, but sadly survived no more than a year
more, as he was run over by hansom cab.
DEPLOYMENT
• The group of survivors consisting of individual officers etc is
placed anywhere inside the bounds of the village, except inside
buildings or walled gardens.
• Then the Afghans are deployed, anywhere within 6” of any
table edge.
• Lastly, the remnants of the 66th Foot are deployed anywhere
the British player likes, except inside a building or walled
garden, or within 12” of an enemy unit.
• Roll for Activation as normal.
SPECIAL RULES
Villagers: Every time a model from the British side enters a
building or attached walled garden, there is a chance he will
be attacked by an irate villager. The first time a model does so,
there is a 50% chance that d6+2 Civilians appear at the nearest
opening on the building. These villagers come under the
control of the Afghan player at the beginning of his next turn.
OBJECTIVES
The focus of this scenario is the British officers attempting
to get clear of the disaster at Maiwand, and so the result is
determined by the number that escape. The British win if they
get half or more of the individual officers off of the table,
while any other result is a victory for the Afghans (though
the papers back home will report a victory regardless!).
Note that the remnants of the 66th do not count towards the
victory conditions.