The Anglo-Russian War: The Battle of Malana, Part 3

 Maharaja Tukoji Rao II Holkar of Chaimbellistan, killed in combat against Russian Imperial Forces during the Battle of Malana.

In the finest tradition of the Empress' British Indian Army, Maharaja Tukoji Rao II Holkar and the Royal Regiment of Chaimbellistan fight to the last man. Maharaja Tukoji Rao II Holkar would posthumously be made a Knight Commander of The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE). Russian troops, led by the The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards storm into the town of Malana unaware that the 19th Punjabis have entered the rear of the town while the Royal Fusiliers advance on the right flank and are now preparing to stop the Russian advance . . . I love The Men Who Would be Kings!

The Royal Fusiliers: "The Russian Naval Brigade has formed Close Order. Advance in Skirmish Order and fire at will!"

The Naval Brigade takes its first casualties and are pinned. And now it's the Russian's turn . . .

"Inconceivable!" I rolled a "2" to Move my men. But I'm Destined for Greatness!

Logjam as the troops don't move.

And the machine gun fails to activate!

The Naval Brigade fails to rally and retreats 3 inches.

The hillmen of Chaimbellistan fall back to high ground to escape the deadly fire (and uncanny dice rolling) of the Russian Maxim machine gun.

Covering the fallback. 

The Royal Fusiliers continue to move in Skirmish order . . .

. . . and another sailor falls to the Lee-Enfield rifle once again pinning the Naval Brigade.

The 19th Punjabis take up firing and defensive positions in Malana.

The militia of the hills starts to skirt the village walls.

The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards advance warily in Skirmish order in the tight confines of the street.

A brave Punjabi soldier falls to a 7.62mm round from a Russian Mosin-Nagant rifle.

The Russian machine gun advances to support the attack.

The 21st Frontier Guards successfully advance into Malana.

The Naval Brigade fails to rally and retreats back into the woods.

Mr. Melton Prior sketching the action.

The Naval Brigade waits warily for the Royal Fusiliers as they advance.

Subedar Major Ajeet Deol gets him with his good ole trusty Webley pistol.

An aerial view (from a Russian balloon) of the overall situation as the Russians fire. It is at this time we remember that the Russians are Poor Shooters and have a fire of 6+ not 5+. Whoops. No casualties this turn and the unit fails to Move into contact.

The 21st Frontier Guard, veterans that they are, grow suspicious off the now quiet hills and take up defensive positions in Malana.

The Maxim moves closer to the wall.

The Naval Brigade rallies! Hooray!

Only to be cut down by the uncanny close range fire of the Royal Fusiliers.

"Just the two of us . . ." (and we are pinned again)

The Himachal Militia moves forward in Skirmish . . .

. . . and they take out one crewman of the machine gun team.

"The Regiment of The Lionhearted" charges the Izmaylovsky Lifeguards and a furious melee ensues for control of the courtyard.

Both sides take "3" casualties and the 19th Punjabis are pushed back . . .

. . . but the Izmaylovsky Lifeguards are now at half strength.

The standoff.

Major General Pavel Ivanovich Mishchenko once again iterates to General Baron Georgii Karlovich Stackelberg (while Lieutenant General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev watches),"We should have burned the town of Malana to the ground!"

Next: The conclusion of the first field battle of the Anglo-Russian War.