The Anglo-Russian War: Caught in the Open, Part 1

The 2nd (Thundering Herd) Regiment of the Army of the Princely State of Chaimbellistan currently waiting to arrive as reinforcements.

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?

"Protect the Princess!!!"

Turn 1. The Russians as the attackers will always go first. 

The Russians open up with long range artillery fire.

One casualty is caused by the artillery fire on the Royal Regiment and they easily pass their Pin test.

The Naval Brigade moves out at the double. Due to the poor and/or erratic Leadership Values of 1/2 of the Russian officers, the Russians have to move fast and hit hard before reinforcements arrive!

The officer of the The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards has a bottle of vodka and is using it generously. Each time he tries to roll for an activation he must roll first a single die: 1-3 = LV 8+ and 4-6 = LV 6+. Not a good start for the Lifeguards.

He passes his Leadership roll with a 9! Time to move At the Double!

"Hmmm . . . the more I drink the faster we move."

The officer of the 21st Frontier Guards has a Leadership Trait of Worthless which gives him a LV of 10+. Needless to say, they do nothing.

The situation facing the Army of the Princely State of Chaimbellistan.

The Royal Regiment moves quickly to the hard cover of the rocks . . . 

. . . while the 1st (Swords of Justice) Regiment quickly turn around and form a firing line.

The Chaimbellistan army in position to defend their princess.

The Russians are dangerously close! All of the Russian Infantry are Regular Infantry while the Infantry of Chaimbellistan are Irregular Infantry with Modern Rifles.

Turn 2.

Once again the Royal Regiment comes under fire from the Russian 76mm Field Gun. Fortunately they have hard cover so it normally takes 3 hits to remove a figure; however, artillery can ignore one point of cover.

The Royal Regiment takes another casualty but is not pinned . . . 

. . . but they immediately come under fire from the Russian Naval Brigade and lose another figure but once again their discipline holds and they are not pinned.

The Russian Naval Officer's Leadership trait is "Destined for Greatness" which allows the unit to do one of its free actions and then attempt to activate for another action. In a bold move, the Naval Brigade moves At The Double scaling the rocky heights. (Yes I repositioned the Royal Regiment to make the photo look cool!)

In a somewhat sober move, the Izmaylovsky Lifeguards continue to advance on the Princess's camp.

No more pictures of the 21st Frontier Guard Company until their "Worthless" officer actually does something that merits a mention in the battle report.

Time to roll for reinforcements!!!

With a roll of 7, the Chaimbellistan player can bring on up to 7 points of forces onto the tabletop to reinforce.

Enter the 19th Punjabis.

The Royal Regiment fires at the Naval Brigade but the hard cover prevents any casualties; meanwhile the 1st Regiment fires and eliminates 2 figures from the The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards are now pinned by the rifle fire.

Turn 3

The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards successfully rally and witness the fury of the Russian Field Artillery on the 1st Regiment.

The 1st Regiment takes 3 casualties; but, in the presence of their princess they hold firm.

The Naval Brigade uses their Free Action of Fire and cause one casualty . . . 

. . . and since he is Destined For Greatness, the lieutenant orders a bayonet charge.

By losing the melee, the Royal Regiment must retreat 1/2 of a full move which is 3 inches (Imperial of course!) for them and they are now pinned.

Time for reinforcements!

A nine is rolled allowing the 2nd (Thundering Herd) Regiment (5 points) and the Tribal Infantry of the Mountains of Chaimbellistan (3 points) to enter the field of battle.

The 2nd (Thundering Herd) Regiment.

The Tribal Infantry.

The 19th Punjabis move At The Double to get closer to the enemy.

Time to rally the Royal Regiment.

They fail to Rally.

The 2nd Regiment inflicts two more casualties on The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards but the Lifeguards are not pinned.

Overall view of the situation at the end of Turn 3.

Turn 4

The 1st Regiment, exposed in the open, continues to be the favorite target of the Russian 76mm quick fire gun.

The view from the artillery position.

The 1st Regiment takes two more losses but holds firm . . .

. . . while the rifle fire from The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards is ineffective.

The rifle fire of the Russians continue to be ineffective so the lieutenant, Who Is Destined for Greatness, orders another bayonet charge against the pinned Royal Regiment. Since they are pinned, they can only fight with 1/2 of their figures. Now you see them . . .

. . . now you don't. A tragic loss as the casualties mount up around the princess.

Here come the men of the 19th Punjabis!

For the Princess (and the inevitable reward, I mean subsidy, for helping!)!

The Thundering Herd of the 2nd Regiment gets closer.

And now Turn 5 . . . 

Next Time: 

1. Will the Russians move fast enough to intercept . . . uh . . . escort the Princess to her real destination?

2. Will the reinforcements arrive in time?

3. Will the Worthless Russian officer do anything in the game?

4. Who is really pulling the strings?

BWAH HAH HAH!!!