british soldier - Flames of War

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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.
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british soldier - Flames of War

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