Tribes in Turmoil: 1860s Afghan Civil War
Phil’s great 28mm Colonial figures were on show on Sunday 31 May as we played two games at the War Room set in a fictional 1860s Afghanistan, a civil war between two tribal factions. We used Phil’s own set of rules.
Before lunch, Paul and I were the Herati and Tajiks (north and east Afghanistan) with a larger army, fighting against Rob and Brian’s higher quality but smaller forces from Kabul and the Highlands (south and west Aghanistan).
Game 1
Behind the screen, Paul and I deployed with the Tajiks on the left, the Herati infantry in the centre, and two brigades of Herati cavalry on our right. The plan was to hold the left, and attack with the rest of the army.
Rob and Brian deployed with the Kabul infantry in the centre, and Brian with the Highland Guard infantry, cavalry and artillery on their right. Rob held the left with more cavalry and infantry.
I attacked in the centre with two brigades of Herati infantry (7 units), supported by an artillery battery
Paul launched a cavalry assault on Rob’s weak left flank
As I pinned the Kabul infantry in the centre, Paul successfully attacked, killing Rob’s cavalry, threatening the flank, and destroying an artillery battery.
Brian never got in with his Highland Guard infantry and cavalry on our left flank.
The game was judged to be a win for Paul and me, with our Herati and Tajiks.
Game 2
Mal arrived at lunch, and we played a second game, swapping forces. Paul and I set up in a rectangle – Kabul infantry in the centre.
Each flank was sealed by more infantry: Highland Guard on our right
And more Kabul infantry on the left. Cavalry supported either flank.
Brian, Rob and Mal deployed with Brian on the right, Rob in the centre, and Mal on their left with the cavalry
As Mal’s cavalry advanced, my Highland Guard formed square
I managed to drive off one cavalry brigade by concentrating fire from my artillery and infantry (the Guard was in a small wood inaccessible to the cavalry)
Mal’s first cavalry unit took huge losses, and retreated, forcing the rest of the brigade back.
Rob advanced with the Tajiks in the wake of Mal’s retreat. Rob was aiming to attack my Highland Guard.
Paul’s artillery suffered major losses from Rob’s artillery in the centre
Paul’s cavalry and infantry also went forward to pin Brian’s massed Herati infantry on our left
I decided to initiate an attack in Rob’s weakly-held centre; first with two units of Kabul infantry advancing and firing on Rob’s Tajiks.
This was quite successful. Now I advanced with the Guard Cavalry through the middle…
Brian began an advance in earnest against Paul, who now lost his artillery to Rob’s ranged fire. Paul’s Kabul infantry were forced to retire after taking losses from Brian…
My Highland Guard infantry was under pressure from Rob and Mal on our right
Back in the centre, my Guard Cavalry attack was slow, and took heavy casualties from two sets of Rob’s guns and some infantry fire. By now, Mal had rallied his first cavalry brigade and was approaching the centre…
Mal’s second cavalry brigade was now approaching our right so I changed the remaining Highland Guard unit into line to better fire on Mal’s cavalry
Rob’s Tajiks had taken considerable losses to my artillery and infantry fire, but now charged my Highland unit in the wood. Unfortunately for him, the Tajiks were forced to retreat after two rounds of melee.
Although our right had held, Paul and I were under pressure at all points, so Phil adjudicated a Herati and Tajik victory. So each side had one victory to its credit (the larger side with lower quality troops won on each occasion).
Conclusion
All in all a straightforward and very enjoyable day’s play with a smaller group of players, using some well painted and very nice figures from Wargames Foundry. The rules were Phil’s own and generally easy to pick up. Rob had a bad day with dice rolling: getting only one 6 out of 36 dice rolled at one point, whereas I was quite fortunate to get an abundance of 6s for much of the game. Thanks to Phil for organising, and to Rob for lunch.
