Saturday, July 25, 2009

Chapter 12: Reinforcements Arrive At Fort Grant

Click on photographs to enlarge them.


"Father, more soldiers come." "Yes son, the Britannian Lion has been awakened."


25 July 1899/2009.
Captain Nightingale observes Kotar Village in the distance.


The village looks peaceful. The screen continues forward.


As the Main Body of the 66th Foot, Berkshires, descends the rise.


They continue forward.


Colonel Blackeney stops to converse with the Indian chieftain.


The Berkshires press on as a Highland screen appears.


Protecting the left flank of the column.


The Seaforth Highlanders top the rise heading for Kotar. This elegant unit is on loan from the celebrated collection of Der Alte Fritz.


One of the Jumbos hauling an Imperial 12 pounder. Nomenclature of the time identified this piece as a 15 pounder. It fired 12 and 14 pound projectiles.


Jumbos and "15 Pounders."


As the Seaforths top the rise, they can see Fort Grant beyond Kotar Village.


Meanwhile in the bush, two men, obviously hiding, observe the Imperial Brigade marching through the valley below. Counting, counting and counting.


At the rear of the Column, the Bombay Miners and Sappers have deployed. Are they nervous? Have they seen the stealthy men on the ridge? Or are they being overly diligent?


The rear is well-protected by the Indian contingent.


The Indians retreat steadily to protect the rear of the Column. Well done lads!


Meanwhile the Berkshires reach Kotar Village. Captain Nightingale continues looking ahead for eventualities.


Villagers exit their homes to see the Imperials up close. One soldier turns to keenly observe the snake charmer.


The Column reaches the fordable Kotar River.


Captain Nightingale stops at the bank to observe. Fort Grant is not far across the river. He sees a party of officers riding in his direction with a mounted escort.


General Pettygree with Major Mitchell to his left and Lt. Col Preece to his right have ridden out to meet the Column escorted by a battle-hardened troop of the 10th Hussars. The campaign can soon begin.
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Remarks:
You can do this too.
The Berkshires and Seaforths are Peter Gilder Connoisseurs from Bicorne Miniatures.
Villagers are Castaway Arts.
The Bombay Miners and Sappers are Redoubt Miniatures.
Structures are Miniature Building Authority.
Indian elephants and limbers are Foundry.
Guns are Hinchliffe.
Table covering and river are from The Terrain Guy.
Villagers and Indians painted by Reinforcements By Post.
10th Hussars were kitted out by their Colonel.
Flags are GMB.
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Using a terrain cloth affords opportunities to create undulating terrain. Objects placed underneath can be anything, a plank, a pile of towels. magazines, picture frames and none of these things needs to be actual model terrain. Fast, easy, inexpensive and you can create larger features. Plus, you can make terrain height on par with miniatures and as tall as you like too.
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Click on Comments below and leave your remarks. If you don't have a Yahoo Group name, simply say you are anonymous. Names appreciated though, if you please.
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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Chapter 11: Rules Exercises





Colonel Smythe's Imperial Recon Force emerges from wooded areas. Out of sight are more Imperials crossing at a ford. The Tugs are nowhere in sight. The scenario called for the Tugs being unable to be within 36" of any Imperial miniature on Turn 1. Indeed, by an unlucky die throw, there were no Tugs on the table anywhere on Turn 1. The camera is positioned atop a large hill looking downwards at a 30 degree angle. Click on photos to enlarge them.


The camera is positioned above the ford in the river.
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For additional photos and more of the story, see Der Alte Fritz's blog.
Link shown to the left.
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This was a first test converting Batailles de l'Ancien Regime (BAR) to our Colonial large multi-player games. We can use a separate system for much smaller or solo games; used exclusively since this blog started.

Imperial players: Randy (CinC), Chuck and Jim (Der Alte Fritz).
Tugs: Keith (CinC), Ross, John and Bill (Yours Truly).

IMPERIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

1. Conduct a reconnaissance in force.
{a} Cross the river
{b} March to the top of the large hill and establish a base camp
{c} Send scouts to the end of the table to the right and back. Report. See map.
{d} Or defeat foe, should he appear.
{e} Send a courier to Fort Grant explaining circumstances. (Off map far to left)
{f} Guard supply carts, animals, etc.
{g} If in peril, you may retreat back across the ford to save your command.
Automatic defeat.

2. Choose your force.
Place Unit Cards In Any Order you Wish
Work Your Way From The Top To The Bottom Of Deck
1D6 = 4, 5, 6 = Unit IS In The Recon. Force

1D6 = 1, 2, 3 = Put Unit Card At Very Bottom Of Deck
CinC and Umpire (Bill) may rethrow one undesirable result each.
When Five Units Are In The Recon Force, STOP!

Colonel Smythe (1)
1st Sikhs (86)
2nd Sikhs (98)
Bombay Miners/Sappers (39)
66th Foot/Berkshires (100)
Seaforth Highlanders (60)
1st Mountain Battery (4 Guns)
9th Bengal Lancers (50)

10th Hussars (26)
Units in Red Were Selected To Be In The Game By 1D6 Throws

Caveats:
Supply animals, porters and/or carts:
Artillery at 1 per cannon plus the usual one transport mule per cannon.
Bombay M&S, and 10th Hussars at 2 each.
All Others at 3 each

3. Deployment:
One unit may be across the river to the right within 15” of the ford.
A portion of one unit may be marching in/crossing the ford as far as the right
bank. All other units must be to the left of the river deployed in any fashion.

On Turn 1, you are confident no enemy is within 36” of any of your units.
Beware of possible foes coming from any side table and from any direction.
Foes may be hidden or out of your line of sight.

There is a small tributary above the ford. The left half is unfordable. The right half is fordable.

GOOD LUCK
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Tug Forces:
KHAN (CinC)
Green Sash Rifles (28)
Red Sash Rifles (60)
Red Sash Swords (72)
Gray Sash Jezails (60)
White Riflemen (100)
White Light Cavalrymen (12)
Red Sash Light Cavalry (48)
Smoothbore Battery (1 old Light and 1 old Medium Cannon)
Household
..Riflemen (36)
..Swordsmen (36)
..Horsemen (24)

Tug units arrived by 1D6 throws from Turn 2 to Turn 7 no closer than 36", 48" or 60" to any Imperial miniature.
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Imperials: 296 + 4 Guns
Tugs: 476 +2 Cannons
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The Imperials had a tough day due to scenario conditions. They could not bring their weapons fire sufficiently to bear when the Tugs were few in number. Players commented the game was fun. After game chat regarding suggestions for rules enhancements was beneficial. Part of the process.
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Our Traditions:
The host provides chow. On this occasion it was pizza.
Participants bring snacks or a small quantity of beverage to share throughout the game.
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What's Next? A photo shoot of the 66th and the Seaforths marching into Fort Grant to resume the campaign. This should occur in July. I need to paint some Jumbos by then so....till then, thank you for looking in.
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Sunday, May 17, 2009

Chapter 10: Infantry Exercises

On 17 May 1899/2009 General Pettygree ordered the 1st Sikh Battalion posted at Fort Grant to exercise in preparation for the new campaign season. Click on photos to enlarge them. And now....


The battalion marches in a hollow square. Note the screen in front.
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A two rank line of Martini Henry rifles with fixed bayonets is supposed to be enough to stop any foe before it can pierce the thin line. If this is insufficient, the enemy will enter and burst the square from within. Fortunately this is just drill practice.
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The battalion suffered casualties on 17 September 1899 at the Battle of Tranjapour. These were replaced during the Winter. (See Chapter 7: The Battle of Tranjapour; posting date 7 December 2009.) The battalion has been reinforced by one extra company. One forms a screen whilst the others form the square. This is a marching square. Therefore, the two companies on the sides are faced in the direction of the march. They can easily turn to face outwards.
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As you see here. All closed up now.
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Colonel Buckingham next orders the square to form line. The sides wheel outwards and the rear about faces.
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Four companies in line. Two companies in reserve. The seventh company is split into two uneven sections screening flanks. Supply has been ordered to the rear.
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Closing Notes:
  1. YOU can do this too. Easy.
  2. Consider the new and extra things you can do with battalions close to the size above.
  3. Flags were no longer carried by this time. Never mind that! Thanks to Flag Dude for making one for the battalion.
  4. Miniatures are mostly Peter Gilder Connoisseur Miniatures available from Bicorne in the UK. NCOs are from Old Glory.
  5. Previously the 1st Sikh's had six companies. When I added NCOs from Old Glory the battalion expanded to seven companies of 12 miniatures each. A bugler was also added.
  6. Only 2+ companies were at Tranjapour during the battle. Missing companies arrived the day after the battle with General Pettygree and The Relief Column.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Chapter 9: Cavalry Exercises

On 15 February 1899/2009 General Pettygree ordered the Cavalry Brigade posted at Fort Grant to exercise in preparation for the coming campaign season. Dear reader you will view most of the drill session as if you are the foe watching from the distant position of the camera. The horsemen are coming for you! Click on photos to enlarge them please. And now....

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Brigadier Blackiston (binoculars) observes the field in front of him.

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In the background is 2/10th Hussars. One troop is deployed in a screen whilst the other is formed to the rear ready for mischief should it come from the brigade right flank or rear.

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Moments later 1/9th Bengal Lancers begin to arrive.

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The trotting horses kick up a little dust.

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Senior officers guide the lancers to their deployment area. More arrive.

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1/9th Bengal Lancers have formed a two deep line on the left whilst 2/9th Bengal lancers arrive on the right.

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Both squadrons ascend the gentle rise of ground before them. In the background you see 3/9th Bengal Lancers arriving. It will take post behind the other squadrons.

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In the first line from left to right are the 1/9th and 2/9th Bengal Lancers. Each squadron is deployed two ranks deep. The second line from left to right consists of 3/9th Bengal Lancers in one rank and two troops. To the photo right rear is one troop of 1/10th Hussars in one rank.
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First Line! Forward at the TROT! Here they come.

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Forward at the CANTER!

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AT THE GALLOP...CHARGE HOME!!!!

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The first line has now passed your position. Whilst they did so, the second line walked toward you. Their mission is to exploit a breakthrough or counter-charge if the first line is thrown into confusion.

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Brigadier Blackiston leads the second line slowly forward. Each troop is deployed in echelon.
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Order of Battle
Brigadier Blackiston (Hinchliffe 25mm)
ADCs (2) (Castaway Arts and Peter Gilder Connoisseur Miniatures)
9th Bengal lancers (3 Squadrons: 50 miniatures)
10th Hussars (2 Squadons: 26 miniatures)
The 9th and 10th are composed exclusively of Peter Gilder 28mm Connoisseur Miniatures available from Bicorne Miniatures.
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Thursday, January 1, 2009

Chapter 8: Back To Fort Grant

Read chapters sequentially. 1-7 and afterwards 8. Click on photographs to enlarge them.



#109 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The Battle of Tranjapour was sixteen days ago and the "Frontier" has been quiet since then. Winter is coming soon. Therefore, all Imperial units have been ordered back to Fort Grant. However, someone is always watching, this time from a long distance away.
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#110 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The 10th Hussars march on the left of the Column. First squadron leads the second.
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#111 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The "Main Body" is screened by the 9th Bengal Lancers.
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#112 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: Close-up view of the lancers.
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#113 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The "Column" stretches out in the distance.
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#114 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The 1st Sikhs march in the center.
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#115 Back To Fort Grant
1 January 1899/2009: The "Column" arrived back at Fort Grant without incident. Wounded recovered, reports were sent back to Britannia and the foe has been silent. Some say they vanished. Be that as it may, it is now the New Year. Fort Grant officers not on duty gather for a brief meeting to be followed by a banquet.
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#116 Back To Fort Grant
1 January 1899/2009: Major Trevelyan (10th Hussars) welcomes General Pettygree. Behind the General is Captain Bartlett (1/10th Hussars) listening to Lt. Col. Preece (10th. Hussars). Far to the left is Captain Sachs (2/10th Hussars). Dr. Watson is left-most and unfortunately blurry.
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#117 Back To Fort Grant
1 January 1899/2009: The map of India.
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#118 Back To Fort Grant
1 January 1899/2009: Gentlemen, please be seated.

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Campaign Casualties:
1st. Sikhs: 2 KIA, 1 Invalided to Bombay, 10 Recovered Wounded
10th Hussars: 1 KIA, 4 Recovered Wounded
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