The Anglo-Russian War: Caught in the Open

The escort for HRH Princess Sita Devi of the army of the Princely State of Chaimbellistan are surprised by Imperial Russian Forces.

With the death of Maharaja Tukoji Rao II Holkar of Chaimbellistan, killed in combat against Russian Imperial Forces during the Battle of Malana, and leaving no male heir, his sister Princess Sita Devi will be the new leader of the Princely State of Chaimbellistan. While elements of the army of the Princely State of Chaimbellistan are escorting her to the capital, they are intercepted by an overwhelming force of Imperial Russian Forces. Will reinforcements arrive in time?

HRH Princess Sita Devi.

The next battle is based on Scenario H: A Sigh of Relief from The Men Who Would be Kings (Paid Link). It is the classic Hollywood scenario where an immovable object (the princess) is protected by a smaller force is protected by a smaller force while waiting for reinforcements. Reinforcements, starting on turn 2, may or may not show up. The attacker must have at least one model from two different units in base contact with the "objective" at the start of their turn, and issue both Stand To orders. If the attacker's models are still in base contact with the "objective" at the end of the defending player's next turn, it is all over. Both sides will have 24 points with the defender allowed to deploy up to 10 points to protect the forces.

The battlefield looking from south to north.

So let's look at the Forces:

1. Royal Army of the Princely State of Chaimbellistan:

    3 x Irregular Infantry with Modern Rifles: 15 points.

    1 x Tribal Infantry: 3 points.

    1 x Regular Infantry (British Indian Army): 6 points

    Total: 24 points.

2. Imperial Russian Army:

    1 x Regular Infantry (Frontier Guards): 6 points.

    1 x Regular Infantry that are Poor Shots and Elite (Lifeguard): 6 points.

    1 x Regular Infantry that are Poor Shots and Fierce (Naval Bde): 6 points.

    1 x Field Gun that is well drilled: 6 points.

    Total: 24 points.

Now for the all important Leadership Value (LV) rolls and Leadership Traits that give so much flavor and Hollywood action to the game. First the Princely State of Chaimbellistan which is on the border of Russian Central Asia:

1. The Royal Regiment of Chaimbellistan: LV is 6+ (not bad) and the officer's Leadership Trait is Inspirational. A good start!

2. The 1st (Swords of Justice) Regiment: Leadership Value is 5+ (great!) and the Leadership Trait is Up and At Them! I get the feeling this is going to be an aggressive unit.

3. 2nd (Thundering Herd) Regiment: LV is 6+ (not bad) and the Leadership Trait is A damn fine fellow; nothing more, nothing less.

4. The Tribal Infantry from the mountains of Chaimbellistan: The LV is 5+ (again this is great) and the Leadership Trait is Keen Shot.

5. The 19th Punjabis from the British Indian Army: The LV is 6+ and the Leadership Trait is A Jolly Good Chap which gives him a greater LV of 5+.

A good start for the Princely Army of Chaimbellistan before battle commences; good Leadership Values and Leadership Traits which can give an advantage as they wait for reinforcements. The Royal Regiment and the 1st Regiment will be the escort for the Princess for a total of 10 points.

Now for the Imperial Russian Army:

1. 21st Company, Frontier Guard: The LV is 5+ which is great since the 21st is probably the best and most flexible unit in the Russian army. And the Leadership Trait is . . . Helpless. Well that beats all. The LV is 10+ which is a disaster as this unit will probably fail just about every activation. Dang it.

2. The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards: The LV is 5+ (yes!) and the Leadership Trait is . . . you have got to be kidding me. The Leadership Trait is Drunkard which means his LV will either be a 6+ or an 8+. Have to make a note to the Quartermaster about the Vodka ration.

3. Naval Brigade: The LV is 5+ (we are being set up for failure again!) and the Leadership Trait is . . . Destined for Greatness. Thank goodness. At least we have one good, consistent Leader.

4. Field Gun: The LV is 5+ (again) and the Leadership Trait is (holding my breath; yes I'm the Russians) Fine Swordsman. Well, I guess if the artillery is in a melee . . . but we are going to be lobbing some shells!

Based on the Leadership abilities of two of the Russian units, the Russians are going to have to move fast and hard before the reinforcements show up. In addition the Russians are going to enter from the south edge of the board making them further away from the princess if they had chosen either the east or west edge. On the gripping hand, the reinforcements have to come from the north which is also further away.

The Russian deployment.

"Remind me to talk to the Tsar on how we select our officers."

Next Time: Desperation as contact is made!