The Taxing of Ghi Mikha

Earlier today Phil and I played out a second game in our Rhanzlistan Campaign. The action moved to an area of mountainous terrain occupied by one of the many Bhurpa tribes. Their Headman, one Ghi Mikha, had been refusing to pay his due taxes, so the District Commissioner, Albert Atkinson, put together a small column to 'enforce' due payment. The rules we were using were Setting the East Ablaze and the figures and terrain are from our collections.

The numerous Bhurpas occupied excellent defensive positions amongst the rocky mountainous landscape, south of a swiftly running river with only one crossing point. Atkinson divided his forces from the outset, a major error of judgement as it happened...

The Yeomanry took advantage of the tracks to make rapid progress towards their objective, the only bridge across the river. Unfortunately there were three possible Ambush Points along that route, two of which turned out to be blinds, while the third...

Turned out to be a unit of Red Siberian Rifles concealed amongst rocky outcrops. Their deadly fire saw the Yeomanry scattered to the four winds to play no further part in the contest. Probably the most successful Ambush outcome I've ever seen in a game.

This left the infantry element of Atkinson's column to clear the approaches to the bridge the hard way. First the Gurkha machine gun attempted to cut down the Rifles, with little success. This meant the Gurkhas must close with the rifles and drive them out in close combat. Unfortunately, as it turned out, the order of the cards and a Chance element lead to the Rifles charging the Gurkhas. In the combats my dice were dreadful and the Gurkhas were soon fleeing back.

The crucial moment. As the Gurkhas close on the rifles they are unexpectedly charged and loose the combats! Threatened by the arrival of Bolshevik cavalry from across the river, Atkinson and the Royal Surreys take refuge amongst the hilly terrain, from where their firepower sees off the cavalry.

Having averted catastrophe, Atkinson orders the Surreys to clear the bridge. Unfortunately for him, large numbers of Burphas now lined the banks and the approaching Surreys were driven off with serious losses...

Sadly the remnants of Atkinson's force were soon heading back empty handed. There are sure to be questions asked, repercussions felt, and careers blighted after this reverse...

New Playing Cards

The first game that we played here in GHQ in the Rhanzlistan Campaign we had to use a pack of hand written cards for each unit's Turn Card and Phil's own Event Cards, made for the Russo-Chinese Border where games are set at Olaf's HQ. I've had time now to make my own Turn and Event Card decks and thought they might be of interest to some visitors to Rhanzlistan.

I found the NW Frontier picture on the internet, its a modified India Railways poster. The Turn Card deck has one card for each unit and character and an Event or Chance Card.

I find writing Event Cards quite difficult actually, so I've borrowed heavily from Phil's for now until I get a 'feel' for what Rhanzlistan games will be like. Our first game using these two decks will be on Monday, The Taxing of Ghi Mikha...

A Camel Caravan

I've just varnished some figures this afternoon, as the sun is shinning and I want to use this piece in a game next Monday with Phil.

The camels and the 'Bhurpa' I got from Tiger Miniatures at the Derby Worlds show. The camels look as if they might be the Ebob ones to me, with all the baggage and paraphernalia added on of course. Having sprayed them white, after minimal cleaning up, I gave them a wash of Burnt Umber artists' ink and then dry brushed them with Foundry Rawhide shade. I quite like the overall look it gave them! The figure was not quite to my taste, but passes the 3' rule so it will do! I think it will see service both for the Rhanzlistan Field Force and any 'loyal' Bhurpas who need to move goods and possessions about. Look out for it first in next week's game ~ The Taxing of Ghi Mikha...

The No1 (Baalti) Mountain Battery

As I said in the earlier post about the Action at  Tikkabad, I had to 'borrow' a mountain gun battery from my Darkest Africa collection for the first game of our campaign in Rhanzlistan. In the meantime, my order from Ironclad had arrived and was swiftly cleaned up, assembled and undercoated. I had  acquired a mountain gun kit from Ironclad and some mules from Tiger Miniatures earlier in the year, intending to make my own battery mule train at a fraction of the cost of the splendid Brigade Games one! You'll be the best judge of that though I expect.

The two figures escorting the battery's mule train are Copplestone Miniatures. They are spare Gurkha bodies,the heads went on the matching gun crew for the Gurkhas, while the heads are the ones removed from the Indian machine gun crew. A neat swap and nothing wasted! The mules cost £3, the gun £5.50 and the figures about £3 I suppose, a grand outlay of £11.50 or so. Now, I know the gun is much too early for our 1920's setting, but I justify its inclusion on the basis that new kit takes longer to reach remote areas. It suits us anyway, so let's not worry too much about it.
Now, the reason I chose the Ironclad set over the more suitable Brigade Games set was not just price, but rather the 'look' of the crew with their splendidly large turbans!

There they are in their full sartorial glory! For the khaki drill uniforms and turbans I used Foundry Buff Leather shade, highlighted with the same company's Base Sand Shade. It works for me and there they are ready for their baptism at the next game, Incident at Jakzi...

Introducing...

...some additional personalities into the 'back story' and for the more 'Pulp-style' skirmishes in Rhanzlistan. Firstly Mohammed Imran Waziri , the Jakzi of Jimbai, uncle to Prince Kasim, who governs the Bhurpas tribes in the 'enforced' absence of his young nephew as a 'guest' in Sir Godfrey Godalming's Residency in Byklabad ~

The Jakzi is a Mutineer Miniatures figure and his ageing adviser {and pots} are from Foundry. I got them all at Colours browsing through the boxes of singles at Mutineer's and Dave Thomas' stand. Oh, I do miss buying single figures if I'm honest...
Next up, two Memsahibs, from Copplestone Castings' Female Archaeologists. On the right, Dorothy Godalming, sister of the redoubtable Sir Godfrey, and her companion, Edith Marsden, a rather down at heel Gentlewoman with few prospects...

Action at Tikkabad







A General view from Tikkabad towards the Bykla Pass

In the best traditions of Empire, the RFF , for once ably lead by Brig 'Tubby' Bykleigh, confronted the hostile incursion from the forces of the S.P.I.F.F., lead by Comrade General Robinski, as they exited the Bykla Pass and closed on the defenceless village of Tikkabad. First into action for the Red Hordes were two units of Bolshevik cavalry. Outstripping their slower comrades they recklessly closed on the undefended village, or so they thought...

First clash at Tikkabad

As they neared the village the suddenly found themselves engaged by the Shropshire Yeomanry, under their dashing leader, Major Whyte. Supported by an element of the Armoured Car section, the Yeomanry steadily drove back the Reds!

Major Whyte leads his men to Glory and Everlasting Fame!

Meanwhile, the second Red cavalry unit attempted to close with the Bhurpa tribesman who gallantly, if somewhat reluctantly, were supporting the cavalry's dashing charge. Failing to contact the Bhurpas, the Reds were badly shot up and soon sent crashing back towards their infantry supports.

Loyal Bhurpa Tribesmen repulse a Red Cavalry Charge

The Reds had had their noses bloodied, but still the hordes pressed remorselessly onward.

The Main Red Force advances steadily

Enjoying some success, the Red armoured car section forced the Gurkhas to seek cover amongst the ruins of a once extensive home, while the Sikh Mountain Battery fruitlessly engaged the vehicle in their support.

The Second Gurkhas and a Mountain Gun Battery in support

However, whithering fire from machine guns located in a solid building, supported on either flank by the South Staffords amongst the shrines and the Royal Surreys in the village itself, finally first halted and then drove back the foe.

At the height of the Battle of Tikkabad the RFF advances!

Their morale finally shattered the forces of S.P.I.F.F. headed first for the nearby town of Jonhut and from there towards the safety of the Pass and Mother Russia...

Brig Bykleigh and his Staff take stock as darkness falls over Tikkabad

...leaving Bykleigh and the RFF in possession of the field of victory!

For those of you who like to know these things, the RFF are from my collection, the forces of S.P.I.F.F. from Phil's. Phil made the terrain boards and the buildings of Jakzi, while Tikkabad is comprised of Mutineer Miniatures resin buildings odds and ends from Tiger Miniatures and Grand Manner. I made the two small shrines, utilizing domes from Coritani and statues/reliefs from Tiger and Pulp Figures respectively. The mountain gun is 'on loan' from Darkest Africa/Foundry until I can paint up my new Ironclad one which arrived today! The rules employed were Setting the East Ablaze from Caliver Books.
No doubt that the Reds suffered a significant reverse, but already they are licking their wounds, seeing to their equipment and planning their next move. Rhanzlistan is not safe, yet...

Into Action...

 

The latest copy of the Rhanzlistan Times to reach your correspondent brings alarming news. The S.P.I.F.F. have been reported to be active in the area of the Bykla Pass, stirring up trouble for the Empire amongst the erstwhile loyal tribes of the Bhurpas. This is undoubtedly the handiwork of one Ivan Justokov and the Russian Mission to Rhanzlistan!

Action will be joined here in GHQ on Friday, when Commrade General Robinski and the forces of S.P.I.F.F. will be engaged by the Rhanzlistan Field Force for the first time. Here we see the Shropshire Yeomanry column leading the way!

Pop back in due course to read the special report of our correspondent embedded in the RFF HQ.