The Anglo-Russian War: The Battle of Malana, Part 1

 The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards Regiment crosses a tributary of the Amu Darya River.

Our first recommended 24 point game for The Men Who Would be Kings has the Imperial Russian Army attempting to capture or destroy the village of Malana.

The Russian plan.

For the Russians, The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards Regiment will be the main effort as they are the elite unit and have the best leader on the table (Destined for Greatness). Unfortunately, the Russian General forgot to move the Machine Gun from the photo shot that was supposed to be supporting the Lifeguards frontal attack. The 21st Frontier Guards mission is to keep the Himachal Militia busy while not much hope or expectations were given to the weak Naval Brigade. The idea is to move fast and hard before the British Indian Army reinforcements show up.

 

The British Plan is simple: hold out until reinforcements arrive. The Royal Regiment of Chaimbellistan under the Brutal Colonel Chrochet will defend Malana while the Himachal Militia will be on the left flank in the hills (Hard Cover). The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) will arrive on the table on Turn 2 and the 19th Punjabis on Turn 3.

The Defender's starting position.

The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards Regiment use their free move of shoot and then move across the bridge. The Royal Regiment does a good job of ducking hiding behind the walls at the extreme range. As a reminder the Leadership trait for the officer is "Destined for Greatness."

The 21st Frontier Guards fail to activate.

The Machine Gun moves to try and get in a good position to support the Guards.

The Naval Brigade fails to move (no surprise there!)

Colonel Crochet yells "Fire" and a Russian Guardsman falls.

Due to the superior leadership of the officer, the Izmaylovsky Lifeguards are not pinned due to the casualty.

The Himachal Militia advances in the Difficult Terrain.

Once again, the Izmaylovsky Lifeguards Fire then Move. Two figures of the Chaimbellistan Royal Regiment exit the game.

Due to his Brutal methods (Discipline is -2), Colonel Crochet fails the Pin roll and the unit receives one pin marker.

Closer to the walls of Malana.

The 21st Frontier Guards start to ford the branch of the Amu Darya River in their supporting attack to tie down the militia.

The Naval Brigade activates and moves!

However, a wasted resource due to a mistake in positioning, does not move.

The villagers of Malana flee . . .

. . . while south of the village the Royal Fusiliers show up At The Double.

Colonel Crochet fails to rally the Royal Regiment of Chaimbellistan and they have to retreat from their defensive positions. Using the optional rules for the Royal Regiment, Maharaja Tukoji Rao II Holkar relieves him and takes personal command of the regiment. He rolls and his Leadership Value is "5" ("Yes!" exclaims the British General) and his Leadership Trait is "Up and at them". This means if his unit is able to make contact, they must attempt to "Attack" the enemy instead of giving any other order (except Rally).

The Himachal Militia puts some serious lead downfield against the 21st Frontier Guards. Fortunately for them, the steadfast leadership of the 21st keeps them from being pinned.

"Dang, the Russians are getting close."

Two more are shot by the Lifeguard; including the Brutal Colonel Crochet. No tears are shed.

The Lifeguards breach the out wall.

The 21st Frontier Guards fire at the Himachal Militia in the Difficult terrain and with great marksmanship take two figures out of the game. Under the fierce gaze of their leader they are not pinned.

The Machine Gun Company slowly moves into position to support the Lifeguards and the 21st.

"We like it here in the shade; I don't think we will move."

The Maharaja rallies his men and prepares to defend Malana with his much diminished force.

The 21st takes another hit and is pinned. "We have got to get out of the open and out of this river quickly."

Major Elliott Naple-Cooper Stone stops his men to catch their breaths so they will be ready to engage the Russians (yep, failed activation). But . . .

. . . the 19th Punjabis arrive At the Double and outpace their comrades in The Royal Fusiliers.

 Brigadier General Nigel Humphreys-Farrell and his staff, with reinforcements in sight, observe the situation from the roof top after 3 turns of play.

Next: To be continued.