Relief of the Sidwar Crossing

Last night, we got together to try out Ospreys "Men Who Would Be Kings" once more, the scenario played out very cinematically and was good fun. The rules are very simple, but keep game going fast, after a few turns in we seemed to not need to use the QRFs very often.

The games character traits given to leaders added a bit of fun when commanding the units and helped build a story during the game. 

The Forces:

British

• Two units of Gurkhas led by Brave Lt. George Channer and a Cad named Sgt. Kulbir Thapa
• Three units of 51st Rifles led by Captain Charles Grant, enjoying his new commission given to him by his Uncle, Lt. Donald Stewart loved by his men and Lt. Frederick Roberts, who was just plain ugly.
• Brits also had one unit from the 17th Lancers, lead by an idiot Lt. Michael Allman

Pathans, split between two rival tribal leaders, the drug addicted Sarbaz Jafar and the son of the local Emir, Kaheem Kahn.

• Jafar had two groups of cavalry under his command along with three units of infantry armed with modern rifles.
• Kahn had four commands of infantry, reserving the modern guns for his own unit, his three other commanders were armed with old muskets and swords (meaning they could only fire at 6 inches or less).

The Scenario
 
Somewhere in the mountains of Afghanistan a small detachment of Gurkhas were tasked with escorting the local Colonel's daughter through the Sidwar Valley.

Lead by brave Lt. George Channer, two units of Gurkhas deployed onto the table after sighting a horde of Pathans approaching their position. Desperately waiting for reinforcements to appear on the horizon.

Gurkha's seek cover as Pathan's approach

The first turn the Pathans swarmed the board, rushing to reach the Gurkha positions before reinforcements could arrive.

Gurkhas immediately began opening fire at the rushing Pathans, knocking down a few but not slowing the advance. On the left flank Jafar's cavalry charged into the Gurkhas commanded by Lt. Channer and are met with some withering fire. Kahn's rag tag infantry closed the distance to the Gurkhas and assaulted, despite superior numbers they were thrown back twice. But despite their heroic defense, only Sgt. Thapa survived the melee and quickly decided it was time to leave.

 

Dagar Azaal "The Gun Enthuiast" charges into the Gurkhas

Despite his best attempts to flee, the Pathans caught up to Sgt. Thapa who is cut down in the riverbed as he tried to make it back to his own lines.

By this time, the British relief column has arrived, lead by Lt. Allman, who promptly realizes he left his good riding gloves back at camp and after failing a few activation rolls falls back to the board edge.

"Relieve the Gurkhas lads!"

"On second thought....I forgot something!"

While Lt. Allman tries to figure out his damned compass, the Pathan attack on the Gurkha right falters. After beating back the cavalry charge, Jafar fails two unit morale tests in a row and the Pathan's break. Causing panic in the ranks of the tribal infantry.

Disappearing Pathans

Kahn's forces continuing to try and push towards the bridge and the Colonel's daughter, but quickly meet the now turned around lancers as well as the British foot who gun them down as they try to occupy the riverbed. Khan Bakt "The Merciful" brings shame to himself as he flees from the lancer charge, while Dagar Afzaal "The Gun Enthusiast" and his command are to killed to a man by Lt. Stewart's advancing infantry.

By this point, the Pathans have had enough and decide to retreat. Leaving the badly bloodied Gurkhas on the field, while Lt. Allman claims his brilliant feigned retreat with the Lancers has won the day, he is expected to promoted to Captain shortly.