The Rajputs Advance to the Pakora River

The Rajputs, Blood and Steel Mini Campaign, Return to the Howzat Pass

Game Two, The Pakora River

The Garrison of the northernmost fort in the Fwaart Valley at Shitral has sent word that it is under siege by revolting locals.  Captain Seymour Butts and 100 men of the Guides will only be able to hold out for a limited time. (an edna roll on a d10)  Gentlemen we have a maximum of ten days!

In a fit of sterling Victorian Imperialism the General has directed the 11th Rajputs from their base at Jawar up the Howzat pass to relieve the fort.

What could go wrong?

Based loosely on the Chitral expedition fought solo against a programmed Pathan force.

Unit draw cards for the Pathans.

Plotted map forces for the Imperials.

11th Rajputs

4 Companies of 12 Infantry.
1 attached Mountain gun from Prince Albert's Own Bengal Artillery, on mules. 
Attached pioneers & cart.

Major Willie Stroker, SM. VD

Drunkard - Brave

Capt Myles S. Long (Miles Schlong to the ladies)

Wobbly kneed - Short sighted

Lt Drew Peacock, BBQ. Guides Platoon

Tactician - Brutal

2nd Lt Hugh Jeers PDQ, 

Nom de Guerre - Lucky

2nd Lieutenant "Spotty" Herbert Farthingdale, CBA, (dogsbody)

Unlucky - Bullet proof bumbler

Artillery Attached

Prince Albert's Own Bengal Artillery, Mountain Gun

2nd Lt Barkinge-Madly FA, Certified.

Big bore advocate - steady

Subedar Major A (Andy) D Pandi 

Peacock - Steady

Havildar Major Vikram McSingh

Feared - Ugly

Havildar Charu Graunt

The favoured nephew - lucky

Havildar Dilip Fairbanks Jr

Inspirational - Swordsman

Each platoon has a Naik and 12 figures

Subedar "Blood Letter" Pant, Battalion Surgeon 

Feared - Ugly

Commisary Officer 2nd Lt Cosmo Smallpiece

Unlucky - idiot

Commisary Havildar Rangit Ram

(Randi was cursed by the Mad Fakir to serve the British until the Raj comes to an end.  He is either an immortal existence, or a massive liar.)

Mule train.

The Rajputs battle cry is " Bajrang Bali ki Jai"  a prayer to Hanuman, the Monkey God, to move a mountain... ie perform a heavy task.  

Pathans

The Howzaat Pathanis are ruled by the enigmatic Afzul Fatti Khan, Lord of the Fly Swaat.

One tribal grouping is lead by the Notorious Fekkar brothers, the "unwashed" universally known as the dirty Mo Fekkars, infamous snipers.

Shah Ali Bongo Wasir of Dir, notorious side swapper.

Raja Khan, Tiger of Jandrai, famous Warrior.

Mahomed Rafi, Mullah of Dripsh

2 x 10 Tribal Pathans with sword

2 x Pathan Irreg Inf with breachloaders

8 Snipers and skirmishers with Jezail muzzleloaders 
1 Mountain gun 3 crew.
1 x 8 The Holy Man and his followers.

Scenarios

Ambush

Patrol

Forage

Defend

Vanguard

Raid

Tactical situation
A Just passing by
B Seek and Destroy
C To the last bullet
D Get off my land
E Run to the hills
F Take the High road
G It's awfully quiet out there
H A sigh of relief

The promotion system Rebels and Patriots is the basis for a campaign.  The Company starts with a 2nd Lieutenant in charge.  New Officers have d20 honour, a zero Tactical value and begin with one Trait.  Earning honour points allows an officer to climb the ranks in recognition of his deeds of glory.

Honour - Rank Table

0         -  sent home in disgrace or offered the "Gentleman's way out."

1-20    -  Second Lieutenant - 1 trait 0 tactical value

21-30  -  Lieutenant  -  +1 Trait  +1 tactical value

31-45  -  Captain  -  +1 Trait  +1 tactical value

46-60  -  Major  -  +1 Trait  +1 tactical value

61+     -  Transferred to command a battalion as Colonel.

160 supply crates/sacks with the main column

Day Three!  

2 force cards drawn.

2 Scenario cards drawn

The Game:

Sangars above the Lawari Pass

And those Sangars are high

Force cards

So it's McLaglan, Fairbanks and Grant, leaders of the Rajput's Pioneers

And up above the dirty Fekkars

An advance across the bridge and into skirmishers

Fairbanks up the centre

Grant on the flanking attack

And the rifle fire from the advancing Rajputs is accurate

The Pathan are not as protected by the sangars as they expected.

Trading a Rajput for every three Pathan

But it's a bloody affair.

McClaglan's section is weakened

The Pathan are thinned out

And in comes Grant's attack

The hand to hand is bloody, and the Pathans almost wiped out.

The surviving Pathan run for it.

The casualty pile

And the Rajput supply carts move up the pass