british soldier - Flames of War

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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.
Page 1 and 2: the young british soldier Wargaming
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