This issue of the "Goldfish Bowl" came close to being unwritten, as a teacher strike here in Champaign left me on the wrong side of the line from my trusty typewriter -- a fool thing to do as I was on the teacher negotiation team. However, we have gotten the pieces put back together and I need to sit down and put some odds on paper. First, a note of apology for an unintended error. Last issue had a copy of the infamous BACK TO BATAAN rules which I first wrote three or four years ago and which were sent to Hal over a year ago. The rules were written in response to some of Platoon 20's figures which I had picked up. Since then, I have found myself serving as an agent for Platoon 20 and Freikorps 15 (since June of 86 to be exact). I have asked Hal to delete the mention of Platoon 20 & Friekorps 15 in any information that I have sent him other than paid advertisements and the like. Sorry about it and it won't happen again. (Editor's Note: I did indeed receive Greg's rules over a year ago, long before he became associated with Platoon 20 & Freikoops 15. It is my humble opinion that Greg is bending over backwards to avoid being accused of using his column in MWAN, or MWAN, to "push" sales of figures for the companies he now represents. I am not so naive as to believe that there are not people in this hobby who would accuse him of doing so, though I would see nothing wrong with anyone, representing a company, who decided to write an article which would bring attention to his product. If the article is worth publishing and offers something to people in the hobby, there is no problem. My problem lies with those who would take exception to it I guess. Enough said. I should add that I am sure the number being discussed is quite small. I do believe that an article pertaining to wargaming is much better if it mentions availability of wargames figures for the period and I hope that Greg will not stop writing articles that my concern games utilizing figures he represents as he does a lot of WWII gaming with Platoon 20 figures and we, the readers, would be the losers. I would appreciate sow reader opinions on this subject). Now, on to more interesting things and some ideas, The CITW (Central Illinois Tabletop Warriors) had it's first annual KING DEMOLITION DERBY - a massive free for all between the forces of good and evil using a very simple set of rules. This event, run by Jim Roots, had an interesting twist morale levels of the troops in the game were based on the paint job of the figures the better the paint job, the better the unit's morale. It worked well, and gives a different and interesting point of view on having a few good units, or the hordes of low morale units. Another idea - stolen from WD (Wargames Development) and used before, is to have the commander of each side make a speech to his men, and the commander who works up his men the best gets a morale bonus at the start of the game . In the past two years, Paddy Griffith and Arthur Harman have done two games of alternative history -- where players are put into a real historical situation and have to work within the historical limitations, but where the historical event is transplanted in time and space so that the players are not able to easily guess what is happening - or know where they are so that they might make the proper historical move, After all, when playing Custer at the Little Big Horn, you know not to break up the 7th Cavalry into four different units -- but if chasing natives in South Africa, would you remember that -- or be more concerned to see that you had extra piles of ammo stacked up where the troops could get at them. The following is the background to a game I will be running in Champaign, Illinois, during a CITW NAPOLEONIC DAY. This battle took place during the period of the Napoleonic Wars, so its somewhere between 1789 and 1815, The British troops are part of it, but it is based on one of the many sideshows that the British found themselves fighting in during this period, Though we tend to concentrate on Europe, British troops found themselves fighting in North and South American, Africa, India, the East and West Indies, and all other parts of the world during this period. If anyone can guess the actual battle and the names of the characters involved, I'll see what I can pass out as a prize. Send your guesses. Sideshow As England and France-clashed for world power during the so called "second hundred years way of 1685-1815," a small country rose along the Coromandel Coast. Halfway between Madras and Calcutta, the small Mahrattas state of Averia picked its way between the two major powers, playing off one against the other. The founder of the state, a wealthy landowner turned soldier by the name of Wasi Khan was very careful to stay on the good side of the East India Company, even though he commanded troops in the field against the farces of the company at times. With India in a state of confusion due to clashes between the fading empire and newly formed states, with the actions of England and France overshadowing the events on the continent, a small stable state was better left alone, and so Averia prospered. Wasi Khan died without direct heir, and a member of his government, Meer Dima was appointed to succeed him. However, not all the nobles of the land agreed with this choice, and led by Meer Jaffier they carried out a bloodless coup which deposed Meer Dima and placed Meer Jeffier on the throne. Disliking the English and distrusting them, Meer Jaffier changed the course of the government of Averia, distaining to follow Wasi Khan's policy of playing off one side against the other, Meer Jaffier followed an erractic course, sometimes favorable to England, but most often not. At the same tine, though, he disbanded most of the armed forces of the country, changing it from the professional force Wasi Khan had worked to build to more of a political army, loyal to the followers of Meer Jaffier. These actions of Meer Jaffier had an impact on the people of Averia not realized at first. Elements of the population who had profitted by Wasi Khan's ties with the English saw these connections cut, without corresponding gain. Others who had lost power when Meer Dima was overthrown began to plot against the throne, till Meer Jaffier decided that a change in leaders was in order and he announced his retirement to a modest estate where he planned to study and live out his days. To succeed him, he named Muja Samdi as his adopted son, and placed him on the thyme at the capital. Picked because he would defer to Meer Jaffier in the event of a crisis, Muja Samdi Khan made rather a hash of things. Within two years of his taking control, relations with England were worse than ever, till at last he declared war on England, the East India Company, and the allies of the same. The war, waged by a country that found it's merchant class on the side of the enemy, quickly bogged down as troops of the Averia failed to drive the enemy back. The small, but well trained forces of the company, backed with some troops from England, managed to hold the line. With bigger problems facing the company at this time, it was decided to ignore the Averia situation for as long as possible and concentrate the powers of England and the company on those enemies of England who were fighting at the same time. Though assistance was given to French privateers and warships that took refuge in his waters, never did Muja Samdi ever get his military system to the point where it could cooperate with anyone else. The Navy of the East Indian Company attempted to blockade the coast, and by landing small parties at the different ports reminded the country that a state of war did exist. In retaliation, a small naval force of coastal gunboats was formed, which attempted to attack the ships of the company. A stalemate of sorts soon existed, as the native gunboats took advantage of their shallow draft to run up rivers when threatened by a superior British force, yet returned to attack any individual ship of the British flag that they could find. This naval force was a rather cosmopolitan one, with crews of natives, French trained naval officers, and assorted privateersman all under the command of an Irishman named Stone, Additional ships from the British navy reinforced the blockade, but the attacks continued. The local British naval officer, Commodore Parker, soon saw his chance to strike a blow at this gunboat fleet, Reinforcements were being sent out to Calcutta, and he proposed that they be "borrowed" for a swift descent on the coast to trap and destroy the flotilla, after which they would continue on the way. Taking the local British commander ashore on one of his raids, Parker convinced Major General Ruport Brooke of the soundness of his idea. Due to the fact that attacks, other than naval landing parties, had never been possible, most of the troops of Averia were concentrated on the far frontiers and little was left to protect the coast. It was also said that Muja Samdi, fearing a coup which might topple him from the throne, was not eager to concentrate any sizable force about the capital. What palace troops existed were more political than military. Most of the ports and villages had been given sore protection, but not enough to repel a full scale invasion. In August, Stone's flotilla was driven up the Mahanadi River and held there by a British naval force under Commodore Parker - who sent word to his superior that the trap was set. The squadron carrying Major General Brooke arrived a week later and landed his force at the mouth of the river where the following troops came ashore: 2nd Bn 52nd light infantry (900 men) 2nd Bn, 3rd Foot (800 men) 2nd Bn: 7th Fusiliers (900 men) 2nd Bn, 33rd Foot (800 men) Marine Detachment, East India Co (200) Royal Marines (500) 1 rocket bty-Royal Marine Artillery Naval Bty with two 3# guns, 1 howitzer Marching up the west bank of the river, this force was accompanied by Commodore Parker and some 300 sailors in an assortment of ship's boats and launches. When news of the landing of a British army at Beawer reached the capital little was done, though the British troops were but 50 miles off. With most of the army on the frontier, little was left for local defense. Wye to the point, the capital was defenceless from an attack as little work had been done by Muja Samdi. As troops were quickly called in to protect the capital, Stone's flotilla was left on it's own, and he ordered his gunboats destroyed rather then let them fall into enemy hands, and matched his crews to the capital. Parker and Brooke, having found that they had carried out their assigment without any encounter with the enemy, decided to continue on to the town of Scimitarpore, where from which they could threaten the capital. Feinting towards the capital, they would then fall back to the fleet, having carried out their mission. In the capital, all was chaos, Muja Samdi, never the strongest of leaders at the best of times, soon found himself at the center of things as all of his advisors and friends attempted to profit from his problems. A council of way held quickly produced the following, all of whom claimed to know what was right and any of whom might be willing to push him off his throne: The Grand Vizier - Muja Ramo close friend and often mentioned as possible successor very capable. Meer Argmo officially head of the army, though appointed as a political favor. Meer Taki the treasurer of the nation, though at this time the coffers are empty and the troops are unpaid. Nevertheless, he has friends and hopes to follow Maja Samdi. Windi Khana young and inexperienced general whose claim to favor lies in the fact that his uncle is a governor, never the less, he is in charge of the capital and intends to command the army. Kie Sco - a poet who has no idea of warfare, but who knows the right nobles and whom no one is willing to offend. To the north of the capital lies the town of Schmiatarpore, where it is feared that the enemy is marching to even now. The council has agreed that failure to engage and crush the British might destroy the chances of all to rule, and that action must be taken now. All elements of the Army are ordered to march there now, at once: Order of Battle - Averia Forces: Light Cavalry - one trained unit with 150 men, three militia units with 150 men. Elite Palace Guard - count as line infantry with 500 men Capital City Brigade - 3 regiments of militia (500 each), 2 bn's light infantry militia (200 men) Bhir City Brigade , 4 regiments of militia (500 each), 1 bn of light infantry (200 men) and one bty of six 6# guns. Capital Artillery Corps - two btys of six 6# guins, one line, me Militia. Other forces - 5 regiments of militia (500 men each), Stone's flotilla (rate as elite, three 12# guns, two 18# guns and 400 men in addition to gun crews. Terrain is quite simple, rolling hills, a wide by fordable river, several fields with fences, orchards, and some woods here and here. Any set of Napoleonic rules will do, British troops enter at point A on turn one in column, in any order as determined by the two British commanders. The Bhir City Brigade starts at B, or within 21 of that point, deployed as the commanders wish. The Light Cavalry Capital Brigade and Regulars, as well as the Capital Artillery Corps, start the game within 21 of C, The other forces may enter the board at D, one unit per turn, Any Averia unit within 1 foot of a command figure can be given an order. In the event that more than one commander is within range, roll for the actual commander, However, re-roll each turn two or more commanders are within command range. The Averia commanders can start either at B or C, or any point in between. Any forces which leave the board due to morale may not re-enter. If the British are able to exit off the board at point D, the Averia win if the British fail to cross the river and leave the board at points A, E, or F, the Averid win. The game continues till the British either capture point D, or elect to withdraw. The Averia leadership may change if during the course of the battle any member of the government is found to be disloyal, and helping the enemy. A member of the government charged with such a crime can either adirdt guilt and flee the table, or remain on the board and command his troops. Players whose characters prove leadership above and beyond the call of duty will have their position strengthen, others will be forced to retire from the government. Back to MWAN # 24 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1986 Legio X This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com