15mm Colonials: To the last bullet. The defence of the Chakat Sangar

The expedition against the revolting Khasi of Khalabar has been going well.  The 4th (Duke of Lancaster's Own) Foot have won both of their encounters with the Pathans.  Spies, dressed like Errol Flynn in "Kim" have identified two British Companies, separated from the Regiment, and camped at the ancient Sangar of Chakat*.


* Professor Hironomous Quilp in his History of Alexander the Great claims that the Sangar was a Macedonian fort, built when the King invaded India.  According to the Professor the fort saw scenes of  disgraceful debauchery.  The professor's writing is quite wistful on the subject.

Captain (no longer Brevetted since the last game) Sir Henry Selwin-Ibbetson, Bt, (9+: A fine Moustache, but otherwise forgettable.) once again commands the British 3rd Company.  

2nd Lieutenant Charles Cairns (6+:  Ugly.  No mirrors in his house!) commands 4th Company.

An area of rocks and brush lies to the west of the sangar.  An old tower stands in the north east corner of the enclosure.  The higher ground to the valley sides is difficult going.

2nd Lt Carins has once again laagered his wagons, and settled his company inside.  I had no room for the native drivers inside the wagon fort, so they were promptly ejected and told to get lost.  They were last seen running for the hills.

 The Sangar is actually a simple model of a stone enclosure and I hasten to point out that neither it, nor that tower are yet finished.  However the dice said that this was to the last bullet so I needed a bastion.

The figure on top of the tower is Colour Sergeant McNutt, played by Terry Scott in this movie.

The British.

Unit Name	Regular Infantry 3rd Coy.
Speed	6"
Firing	5+   "	Short Range 0-12"  LR 12-24
Fighting	5+
Discipline	+1
Weapons	Modern Rifle
Special Rules  -	May form Close Order	2 Casualties from the last game.
	- May Volley Fire
Points	6

Unit Name	Regular Infantry 4th Coy.
Speed	6"
Firing	5+   "	Short Range 0-12"  LR 12-24
Fighting	5+
Discipline	+1
Weapons	Modern Rifle
Special Rules  -	May form Close Order	Pte Widdle is in this Company and at risk of feinting.
	- May Volley Fire
Points	6

The Pathan.

The Khasi is portrayed by Kenneth Williams (wearing a turban) in this movie.  He has gathered six units, double the points of the hated British.  He is not so much a Pathan as an overacting and rebellious native prince.

Unit Name	Khalabar Tribal Cavalry 2 x  Units
Speed	12"
Firing	6
Fighting	5+
Discipline	0
Weapons	Tribal spears and rag tag muskets
Special Rules	- 2 melee hits for non-cavalry to kill a model
	- Follow ups
	- May Attack using AT the Double
Points	3

Unit Name	Khalabar Tribal Infantry 2 x  Units
Speed	12"
Firing	6
Fighting	5+
Discipline	0
Weapons	Tribal spears and rag tag muskets
Special Rules	"Din Din"
Points	3

Unit Name	Khalabar Irregular Infantry
Speed	12"
Firing	6
Fighting	5+
Discipline	0
Weapons	Obsolete rifes.
Special Rules
Points	3

The Captain readies his men inside the sangar.

The Khasi and his riflemen get among the rocks and begin their sniping

The other Irregular foot unit engages the wagon fort.

The fighting at the walls of the Sangar

The tribal foot come at the walls in waves.

The camel mounted guys try it up against the back wall.

The defenders drop below half strength

Still clinging on

A volley wipes out the last Native foot.  their officer is left on his own!

The endgame.  A V.C. for the Captain and Lieutenant I think!

The casualty station tells it all

The roll call is taken by Colour Sergeant McNutt. 

"Walters?"
"Here Sergeant!"
"Watson?"
"Here Sergeant!"
"Widdle?  ... WIDDLE..?  I Know you're alive Widdle, I`ve seen you..."
"Here Sergeant dear!"

Captain Ibbotsen and 2nd Lt Cairns were both awarded the Victoria Cross for their part in the defence of the Chakat sangar.  Colour Sgt McNutt was awarded  the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Pte. Widdle was awarded extra potato peeling duties.

15mm Colonials: The Road to Khalabar

The 4th (Duke of Lancaster's) Foot have two more games left for their Posting to the North West frontier.  Dicing on the revelant tables from my solo campaign rules I generated Game 2 (Scenario A) Just passing by, and Game 3 (Scenario C) To the last bullet  The defence of the Chakat sangar

"Just Passing by" is similar to an encounter game, although the forces I generated were quite small.  Two Companies of the Regiment escorting a group of wagons along the road to Khalabar are attacked by the revolting Khasi himself.   

Brevet Captain Sir Henry Selwin-Ibbetson, Bt, (9+: A fine Moustache, but otherwise forgettable.) and 2nd Lieutenant Charles Cairns (6+:  Ugly.  No mirrors in his house!) are the King's Officers commanding the column.  

The British.

Unit Name	Regular Infantry 3rd Coy.
Speed	6"
Firing	5+   "	Short Range 0-12"  LR 12-24
Fighting	5+
Discipline	+1
Weapons	Modern Rifle
Special Rules  -	May form Close Order	2 Casualties from the last game.
	- May Volley Fire
Points	6

Unit Name	Regular Infantry 4th Coy.
Speed	6"
Firing	5+   "	Short Range 0-12"  LR 12-24
Fighting	5+
Discipline	+1
Weapons	Modern Rifle
Special Rules  -	May form Close Order	Pte Widdle is in this Company and at risk of feinting.
	- May Volley Fire
Points	6

The Pathan.

The Khasi is portrayed by Kenneth Williams (wearing a turban) in this movie.  He has gathered four units of tribal cavalry.  This is probably an anachronistic force composition for the NWF.  It is however good practice for facing the Mahdists.  He is not so much a Pathan as an overacting and rebellious native prince.

Unit Name	Khalabar Tribal Cavalry 4 x  Units
Speed	12"
Firing	6
Fighting	5+
Discipline	0
Weapons	Tribal spears and rag tag muskets
Special Rules	- 2 melee hits for non-cavalry to kill a model
	- Follow ups
	- May Attack using AT the Double
Points	3

The column is lead by the two infantry companies.

Contact with the horsemen of the Khasi.  Sir Henry deploys his firing lines and forms close order.

2nd Lt. Cairns forms the wagons into a square and places his own company inside.  Clever boy!

The horsemen (on camels here) cannot make any headway against the barricade of wagons.

Captain Ibbotson reduces the numbers.  Modern rifles against sharpened sticks.  Sir Henry comes close to meeting his maker.  (well his maker was Peter Pig, but ...)

The Khasi is seen off for only one British Casualty.  The Queen will receive the news with delight!