Chapter 53: 2nd Battle Of The Amla

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THE SURAJISTAN FIELD FORCE
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Date: 30 June 1900
Location: Main Army At The Amla River
Situation: Major Thugee Attack
Recommendation: See Chapter 52
Right Click Images To See More
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FOREWARD

From 28-29 June 1900 General Pettygree's Main Body of The Surajistan Field Force reinforced Captain Bartlett's Advance Guard at The Amla River. On the 30th. Thugees doubling the size of Pettygree's force hurled themselves against the Imperials.

Thugee estimated strength was 168 riflemen, 60 more with jessails, an additional 70 carrying muskets, 250 swordsmen, 96 horsemen, 13 artillerymen serving three old smooth bores and four senior leaders totalling 661 combatants.

This is the story of the 312 Imperials who fought them.
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FAR LEFT FLANK

Action commenced immediately on the western flank where a host of Thugees {Der Alte Fritz Jim P. and Derrick N.} broke cover and splashed across The Amla.

Colonel Smythe {Randy F.} formed the 66th Foot Berkshires {72 in the upper right} to face them supported by Brigadier Blackiston's cavalry reserve {Bill P.} riding fast to support them from central reserve; 9th Bengal Lancers {35} and 10th Hussars {20}.

Horsemen of both sides collided in the first mêlée of the day. Left-most Berkshire companies took cover behind breastworks as enemy footmen moving rapidly forward skirmished with them.

Enemy infantry crashed into the breastworks as more arrive not knowing their horsemen had been bested in the cavalry fight.

The Berkshires fell back under intense pressure. The Imperial Cavalry Brigade {not shown} rallied back at the gallop to reform behind them. The foe continued to surge forward, unstoppable with overwhelming numbers and zeal.

Again the cavalry came forward to the charge on both flanks of the Berkshires whilst the infantrymen met the foe with the bayonet.

The Berkshires reduced to company strength finally routed to an Imperial square on the back table. Imperial horsemen {not shown} though victorious in three mêlées were ordered to break off and rally back again. The original Imperial left flank was destroyed.

BEHIND THE IMPERIAL CENTER: ON BACK TABLE

A brigade square meant to be unengaged unless attacked. Mission: Protect supplies, etc. and act as a final rallying point in case of disaster on the main table. It was not allowed to advance onto the main table but could fire onto it using the most negative range modifier. The remnant of the Berkshires {not shown} rallied here as did some of the 9th Bengal Lancers {not shown} near the end of the game.

Col. Buckingham {Keith L.} commanded the 1st. Sikh Infantry {66}, Bombay Miners/Sappers {40}, Royal Artillery {8 crew} with 1x Old 12 Pdr. and 1x Light Howitzer plus baggage, the hospital, engineers and heliographers here. All unengaged - by scenario design.

FAR RIGHT FLANK

Colonel R. Savory {Curt B.} held the eastern flank of the Army closely hugging The Amla River in a dog leg. He deployed the 2nd. Sikh Infantry {94} and Royal Artillery {8 crew} servicing 1x 15 Pdr. + 1x 2.5" Screw Gun there.

 Initial Sikh positions facing north along The Amla.

Later in response to a large Thugee surge {Earl K.} across the eastern Amla, Savory reformed facing east to....

Receive a charge across open ground.

The right flank held and the enemy retreated back across The Amla.

THE CENTER

Colonel Sinclair's command {Keith L. and acting CinC} faced north on the the south bank of The Amla. At his disposal were the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders {68}, 1x 15 Pdr. + 1x 2.5" Screw Gun {8 crew} and a Naval Gatling Gun {8 crew}. These silenced enemy artillery and riflemen across the river but later ....

As worsening conditions on the left flank became apparent, Sinclair retired from the river to face threats from the west.

An immense body of enemy horsemen heading for a large Imperial gap was one of them!

Most of the enemy horsemen were knocked out and routed by clever combined arms fire from Imperial rifles and artillery after crossing the river {not shown}.

Some got through but were checked by the 9th Bengal Lancers.

72nd Highlanders move out to reform a new line facing west.

Steady laddies!

The Seaforths facing west were not tested. The foe elected to withdraw. The remnant of Blackiston's Cavalry Brigade can be seen. Off image to the right are Colonel Savory's 2nd. Sikhs similarly watching the foe retire.

Colonel Sinclair {upper left} rides in front of his regiment whilst General Pettygree on the grey observes the enemy withdraw back over The Amla.
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CASUALTY REPORT

Thugees:
79 KIA, 161 wounded carried away for help and 67 lightly wounded returned to duty.

Imperials:
13 KIA, 90 in hospital and 17 lightly wounded returned to duty.

66th Foot Berkshires {72 at start}
-6 KIA, -57 wounded +10 Back To Duty = 47 in hospital
Effectives At Evening Parade = 19.
The sacrifice of the Berkshires saved the Army.

72nd Seaforth Highlanders {68 at start}
-0 KIA, -1 wounded +0 Back To Duty = 1 in hospital
Effectives At Evening Parade = 67.

1st. Sikh Infantry {66 at start}
Effectives At Evening Parade = 66; Unengaged.

2nd. Sikh Infantry {94 at start}
-2 KIA, -19 wounded +5 Back To Duty = 14 in hospital
Effectives At Evening Parade = 78.

9th Bengal Lancers {35 at start}
-3 KIA, -13 wounded +1 Back To Duty = 14 in hospital
Capt. Dyce-Powers in hospital
Effectives At Evening Parade = 20.

10th Hussars {20 at start}
-2 KIA, -12 wounded +1 Back To Duty = 14 in hospital
Supernumerary Capt. Verbeek in hospital
Trooper Ham in hospital for those interested in him
Effectives At Evening Parade = 7.

Bombay Miners/Sappers {40 at start}
Effectives At Evening Parade = 40; Unengaged.

Royal Artillery {24 at start}
Effectives At Evening Parade = 24}

Naval Gatling Contingent {8 at start}
Effectives At Evening Parade = 8.

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. Colonial tabletop gaming presents players with a unique form of tension not present in horse and musket games. Both sides worry about the other in terms of numerics and firepower. In addition more than a few Imperial missteps can lead to disaster; especially if natives have long movement rates. Players on both sides often think they have insufficient numbers of miniatures which is part of the genre. A good thing.

2. This was The Second Battle Of The Amla. Interestingly, Chuck L. and Todd B., in the smaller battle on the 24th of June 1900, attacked Captain Bartlett's Advance Guard from the west too.

3. From 1:30 to 2:00 pm we adjourned upstairs for "Low Tea" in the Living/Dining Room. Menu: Earl Grey tea with milk {plus sugar if desired}, varieties of scones, clotted cream, whipped cream cheese, Wilkin & Son, Ltd. orange tawny jam, Walker's shortbread, butter pickles, three kinds of cheese and small sandwiches featuring roast beef or turkey accentuated with mustard and Romaine lettuce. Light music played in the background as we companionably enjoyed polite conversation and each other's company.  

4. Game start 11:00am. Game finish 3:30pm. Chit-chat till near 5:00pm.

5. Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime {BAR} modified for 1880-1910 approx.

6. We sure had fun!

7. Singular comments are welcome, if you please, just below. Comments from participants are welcome too.

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