The following individual figure wargame was
played by members of the Old Colony Wargamers
Association using the Colonial Skirmish Rules. The
game was organized and umpired by Dick Friend
who prepared the scenario and maps and set up the
figures for both sides. Under the Colonial Skirmish
Rules each figure is assigned an experience rating
(Novice, Average, Veteran) as well as fire and melee
abilities which are expressed as a number from 1-10.
The higher the number the better the ability. The
ratings and abilities govern the figure's performance
during the course of the game.
The scenario called for a squad of British infantry, supplemented by two sappers, to destroy the tower at the Peshwar Mosque which was being used by the Pathans as a rallying point for their raids. The British began the game in position around the Mosque (see map) faced with the fact that under the rules the sappers would need twelve consecutive turns to plant the explosive charge. Once planted, the charge has an 85% chance of exploding. This would be determined by the roll of decimal dice.
The British section was commanded by Lieutenant Bernard Blewitt (Vet/8/8) trick Bryant) who, in preparation for the coming fight, had divided his force into three groups. The first consisted of himself and three enlisted men who would cover the southern wall of the Mosque. The second group, commanded by Sergeant-Major Surr (Vet/9/9) (Leo Cronin), would use three more enlisted men to cover the northern approach. The final group consisted of the two sappers and two enlisted men to cover them while they planted the charge.
Arrayed against the British were 24 Pathans divided into 4 warbands. In overall command was the rebel chieftain Whatta Khan (Vet/9/9) (Jerry Chaskes). His lieutenants included Haifa Dolla (Vet/8/8) (Alan Coughlin) and Hasan teen Soba (Avg/7/7) (Rod Burr). The Pathans diced for time and point of entry thereby maintaining an element of surprise as to where and when each warband would appear. The scenario opens with Lieutenant Blewitt nervously pacing about the base of the tower...
Lieutenant Blewitt glanced at his pocket watch and looked nervously towards the horizon. The section had been in position for some time now and yet there was no sign of Whatta Khan nor any of his following. The Lieutenant, however, was not fool enough to think that the old Pathan chief would allow the British to just walk in and destroy the mosque without a fight. There was sure to be trouble.
The orders had seemed simple enough; surprise the guards, plant an explosive charge and destroy the tower. This would be followed by a general withdrawal, most likely under fire. In any case, his squad of 8 men had been reinforced with the two sappers who were trained in munitions. Successful completion of this mission could very well mean his captaincy.
Moments later the young lieutenant was rudely jolted from his reverie by a shout of "Here they come". Lieutenant Blewitt noted that it was Private Bladder (Nov/4/3) one of the new men who had yelled. He also noted that Private Bladder was quite correct in his observation. A small band of Pathans were moving across the broken ground to the southeast of the tower. Soon they would be in range albeit long range, of their Henry-Martini rifles. With that in mind, Lieutenant Blewitt ordered the section into their firing positions.
The Pathans moved quickly covering the distance to the tower using what cover was available. "They've got those bloody jezails" Corporal Wormturn (Avg/6/7) muttered, referring to the rifled muskets the Pathans carried. Lieutenant Blewitt nodded in agreement and noted that they also had an assortment of knives and daggers for close in work. With a little luck thought the lieutenant, they won't get that close.
Whatta Khan on the other hand was thinking just the opposite. He had been caught off guard, never believing that the British would be brazen enough to strike at him here in his own territory. However the carrion would not live to boast about it. Indeed the British would be well chastised for their trouble.
Within the enclosure Privates Capp (Vet/7/5) and Murphy (Nov/3/7) who were covering the sappers took careful aim at the approaching Pathans. At the command from Lieutenant Blewitt they and their comrades along the southeast wall opened fire. At this range of nearly 200 yards and firing at moving targets the British had only a 25% chance of hitting their targets. Luck however was with the British as two of the four shots struck home (one with a die roll of 03).
Seeing two of their comrades go down, the other Pathans threw themselves to the ground. Private Capp was about to congratulate himself when Private Murphy pointed out another band of Pathans moving towards them from the northeast. The men on the north wall however would have to deal with that threat.
"We're short of matches, Lt. Blewit -- can you spare some?"
Sergeant-Major Surr snapped his Webley revolver shut and motioned to Corporal Hobbs (Avg/7/7) and Private Snodgrass (Nov/3/5) to commence firing. He then glanced momentarily at Sapper Johnson (Vet/ 4/8) (Tom Desmond) who continued to work on the explosive charge seemingly oblivious to the firing. If they could pin the Pathans down for a few crucial minutes the sappers would be able to complete their work. The previous volley from the north wall had done nothing to slow the Pathans down and they continued to cross the open plain towards the mosque.
The Pathans at this point were joined by a third warband approaching from the east. They immediately took up positions firing in support of the other attacking natives. Slowly they began to get the range. Privates Pantyhose (Vet/8/6) and Bladder had close calls as the Pathans directed their fire at the young lieutenant who was conspicuous as the only individual who was not hugging the wall. As the rounds crashed into the ground near his feet, the somewhat embarassed lieutenant scrambled for cover. He would have made it except for an exceptional die roll bv one of the Pathans. Needing a roll of 10% or less, a 9% was rolled. This resulted in a serious right shoulder wound. Lieutenant Blewitt collapsed in a heap.
Corporal Wormturn crept towards the lieutenant fearing the worst. Upon reaching him, however, he was relieved to find him not only breathing but also conscious. After stopping the bleeding, the Corporal dragged the lieutenant under cover. From the cover of the wall they watched the sappers at work, just a few more minutes was all the time they would require to complete their assignment.
Whatta Khan meanwhile watched the proceedings through his captured field glasses. Although things were going more slowly than he had intended, it was only a matter of time before his men would crush these interlopers. But what was the purpose of their intrusion? At that moment his view passed over the sappers hard at work on the explosive charge. Suddenly it was quite clear as to what their intentions were.
"The men at the base of the tower," he shouted, "direct your fire at the men at the base of the tower." The Pathans now directed their fire at the sappers. Sergeant Boggs (Avg/7/4) who had been assisting Sapper Johnson was struck in the left arm (a die roll of 70% at medium range). Seconds later Sapper Johnson was himself hit in the left leg. Fortunately for the British the charge was already and this information was relayed to Lieutenant Blewitt who gave the order to light the fuze and begin a general withdrawal.
With the Sergeant-Major and the men on the north wall providing cover fire the rest of the section began falling back. Corporal Wormturn and Private Bladder carried the lieutenant while in front of the tower Privates Capp and Murphy went to the aid of the sappers. Sapper Johnson lay by the charge fuse in hand. "Take Boggs and get him out of here, I'll take care of the fuse." Johnson knew that if he didn't light the fuse now he wouldn't get another chance and once he did light it there wouldn't be enough time for his rescue. As they dragged Boggs away, Johnson lit the fuse.
The fuse burned quickly as Johnson propped himself against the tower wall. The bastards will never know what hit them, he mused. I just can't let them take me alive as they'll be most displeased with what I've done.
The Pathans, seeing the British fall back, surged forward. The lead elements were almost to the enclosure wall when Johnson rolled to see if the charge would explode. There was a sudden hush as the dice were rolled. A thundering explosion confirmed Whatta Khan's worst fears and sent a cheer up from the retreating British. The charge blew the base of the tower outward in an arc into the faces of the approaching Pathans. All of those caught in the explosion rolled for fragmentation hits. Of the six Pathans caught in the blast, three were killed outright and one seriously wounded. Whatta Khan could only curse as he watched the tower collapse in a heap.
The British for their part conducted an orderly withdrawal under fire and by the time that the Pathans recovered from the shock of the explosion were safely out of danger. Sapper Johnson had done his work well. The tribesmen, enraged as they were by the destruction of the tower, could not even console themselves by torturing a captive. Sapper Johnson, knowing the barbaric leanings of angry Pathans, had the foresight to place himself in close proximity to the charge thereby ensuring that the Pathans would have to look far and wide for any sport on his part.
Lieutenant Blewitt, now safely ensconced in a British outpost, reflected on the glories which would follow this successful mission. His wounds would ensure a posting to the continent, perhaps even his Captaincy. He made a mental note to recommend the late Sapper Johnson for the Victoria Cross and went back to his musings. Whatta Khan on the other hand sat on the pile of rubble that used to be his tower and contemplated how he was going to explain this to those of his following who had survived.
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