Chapter 22: Battle of Bebara Starts

Date: 14 September 1899/2009
Location: Bebara.
Situation: The Battle Commences
Click On Images To Fill Your Screen
And now....

The Rajah of Bebara returns to reclaim his village.


As seen from Bebara.


The Rajah is off screen to your left.
Imperial Left Flank: The elephant battery arrives.


And commences fire. Below three companies of 1st Sikhs are descending the ridge.

Imperial Center: The Berkshires (66th Foot) and the other half of the 1st Sikh's arrive.

Imperial Right Flank: Lt. Col. James Lawford leads two squadrons of the 9th Bengal Lancers screened by 2nd. Squadron, 10th Hussars.

The Berkshires are followed by the Seaforth Highlanders, 72nd. Foot. General Pettygree is beside the Rajah.

The 1st Mountain Battery deploys left of the lancers.

The battle line is formed.

FIRE!

We turn around to see the action from Bebara. After several rounds the foe leaves his forward defenses.

The Berkshires view the foe's second line of defense; a small rise with vegetation brought there to provide extra cover. Meanwhile look at the Green Sash swordsmen facing the mountain guns.

Surprise! They charged and took the guns; the crew evaded.

The charge continued into the Berkshires! The Imperials commence rapid fire but this does not stop their opponents. Both sides lose four in hand-to hand combat. A tie. However, at this point the Green Sashes have now lost more than 75%, must check morale because of this and thereafter flee.

KHAN (Chuck) commanded the natives. It may be dawning on the Imperials, the defense was light. And...?

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. The game lasted three hours; perhaps ten turns.

2. We may need three sessions. Session #2 should be on the 12th. instant.

3. Imperial Losses:

Berkshires (-15) and 10th Hussars (-3).

4. KHAN's Losses:

Green Sash Swords (-14), Green Sash Muskets (-7), Arty. Crew (-2), Grey Sash Jezails (-26), Bebarian Arquibusiers conscripted into the Grey Sash Jezails (-5).

5. Tents and Seaforths kindly on loan from Der Alte Fritz.

6. A few extra photos are below though images above tell the story well enough.

Bebara braces for attack.

The highest point overlooks the arrival of the Imperial Army. The heliograph team is in sight of the baggage and medical camp a mile plus to the rear.


The baggage and medical camp.


Close up of that camp. One company of 1st. Sikhs and the remnant of the 27th. Bombay Miners and Sappers guard the camp. The 27th previously took heavy losses. See Chapters 13-14.


Another view of the early battle line formed to attack the foe's first line of defense. There was no intention to stop the Imperials at this stage. Slowing their advance and causing attrition was the plan.
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Comments welcome below. Click on the word comments, if you please.
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Chapter 21: The Guru

Date: Early September 1899/2009
Location: Bebara Village
Situation: The Guru Organizes His Army
Click On Photos So Each Fills Your Screen
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In Chapter 20 you observed the inscrutable foe capturing the village of Bebara and the departure of it's Rajah. And now....


These few warriors of the Rajah were left behind. The Guru demanded they choose to fight with him or run "like children"to join the "cowardly" Rajah. Each threw 1D6. Result: 1, 2, 3 = Remain and 4, 5, 6 = Leave --- in a hurry.


Guru: "You could have been my brothers and like children, you
chose --- unwisely. Depart from me!"


A few days later the Army assembles for the Guru's oration. Left to Right: Red Sash Swordsmen, Rifles and Horse.


Left to Right: Red Sash Rifles and Cavalry. Those clad in white are Household Rifle and Swordsmen.


Atop The Building: Muljadeh (seated), his standard bearer and The Guru. Right Foreground: Household Cavalry in white and Bebarian conscripts who just joined the army.


Center to Right: Green Sash Swordsmen and Musketmen. Right Foreground Grey Sash Jezails.


Rightmost mounted is KHAN.


Guru: "My brothers, together we have taken Bebara. You are an anvil upon which the Imperial foe will be struck. They are coming - even now - to their destruction. They will march through that notch. I have foreseen it."


The notch. The same one used by the native army the day it captured Bebara.


And sure enough, later on 13 September, dismounted 10th Hussars reconnoitered Bebara. Brigadier Blackiston with binoculars converses with the 10th's commanding officer, Lt. Col Preece.


They look at the village.


And see....


Back to the oration --- earlier in the month.
Guru: "Here is my plan. YOU, KHAN, will...."
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CLOSING REMARKS
1. The table is set and forces are deploying for The Battle of Bebara on 6-12 November.
2. Return here often in the next several days for updates.
3. What do you suppose is The Guru's plan?
4. What will the Imperials do?
5. Your remarks answering these questions and any other thoughts are welcome below.
6. Click on comments just below here, if you please.
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Chapter 20: Flashback

In previous Chapter 19: Two Days From Bebara, the advance of the Imperial Army was recounted. Its mission: to recapture the village of Bebara and thereafter defeat and/or push the inscrutable foe back into Surajistan. The following recounts the earlier loss of Bebara - the reason for the march of the Army. The story begins with fugitives from Bebara. Photos will fill your screens by clicking on them. And now....


On 10 September 1899/2009 the Rajah of Bebara arrived at Outpost #3. See Chapter 18.


Lieutenant Bracegirdle inquired about the visit. The Rajah revealed his sad story....


"During the month you name August, I was called to the top of my palace because...."


"An unexpected host appeared in the distance."


"I sent my trusted standard bearer to make inquiries even as the host continued coming forward in great, greater and even greater numbers toward Bebara."


"An officer came forward named KHAN, a giant man on a very large stallion.

"My officer asked, The Rajah of Bebara humbly inquires how his poor village might be of service."

"KHAN only said, Your Rajah will depart Bebara within two hours taking his family, palace staff, you, supplies and a few guards. Resistance is impossible -- as you can see."

"Words of protest were futile because...."


"KHAN'S host never ceased its forward movement. My officer departed to return to me."


"On they came, never hesitating, never faltering, never stopping...footmen, horsemen and canons."


"In even greater numbers they flooded the plain. My meagre guards, half armed with ancient matchlocks, swords and only a few rifles could not resist."


"And so I mounted my elephant to meet KHAN saying...."


"By what authority do you desire me to abandon my village to you."


KHAN: "By the authority you see and by command of our Supreme Leader Muljadhe. You now have only one hour to depart as explained before and save your village."


"My wife and chief counselor awaited my return."


"My few swordsmen and some villagers attended me. Within the hour we departed Bebara."
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Closing Remarks:

1. The next chapter (#21) will restore contemporary story time.

2. Return to see the Imperial Army closing on Bebara

3. Muljadhi, himself, may also appear.

4. Natives in grey and civilians fleeing to Outpost #3 were professionally painted by Reinforcements By Post.

5. Remarks welcome below. Click on comments. Thank you.

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Chapter 19: Two Days From Bebara

Date: 12 September 1899/2009
Location: Two Days March From Bebara.
Situation: The Area Around The Camp Has Just Been Reconnoitered
If YOU Please: Enlarge Images By Clicking On Them.
And now....

The Imperial Camp. This section is for the Royal Artillery, Berkshires and Seaforths. The Bombay Miners and Sappers and baggage are to the left. The cavalry brigade camp is behind the ridge to the right.

General Pettygree (foreground), "We'll be back soon Mitchell." Behind them is Colonel Archibald Sinclair and his Seaforth Highlanders followed by the 9th Bengal Lancers. They found no sign of the enemy nearby.

Close-up view.

Meanwhile not far away Colonel Preece leads two squadrons of the 10th Hussars back to camp as well.

They see the camp now. In the distance are the Seaforths and 9th Bengal Lancers.

"They are all com'n in Sir an' no trouble found them."

To be sure dear viewer. However, only two days march from here is the village of Bebara held and fortified by the inscrutable KHAN. He means to offer battle soon and General Pettygree plans to oblige. Return soon to discover what will happen.

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Closing Remarks:

1. YOU can do this too.

2. Tents kindly on loan from the collection of Der Alte Fritz.

3. Tents were artfully composed and scenicked by HG Walls, Herb Gundt.

4. Seaforths are also on loan from Der Alte Fritz.

5. Notice anything unusual Gentlemen?

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Comments welcome plus your answer to Item #5 immediately below.