Recap: The Indian Army has the mission of moving through the pass and has taken heavy casualties against an unending flow of tribesmen to the battlefield. The loss of the Gordon Highlanders has been especially felt and has limited the tactical options of the forces of the Raj. Now, however, all enemy forces have gone to ground so there might be a chance now to clear the pass.
"We will continue the missiopn. That's what Captain Hugh "Hughie" Templeton Cottontale Broswell - Smythe, Royal Engineers, would have wanted. Plus we have cool turbins, pikes and axes.
"Oh dang it. Remind me to talk to the Political Officer on his estimates."
The surviving command element of the Gordon Highlanders moves to a more secure spot behind the 1st Madras Pioneers and in front of the 10th Bengal Lancers.
The lancers decide to hold their position in case any of the tribesmen move into the open.
The 20th Punjabis, cut off from the rest of the field force, attack the high ground their front and eliminate the last of the enemy.
"Ahh, much better", says the Subedar Major.
Suddenly the tribesmen spring up and attack the 1st Madras.
Well that did not go well as the force shrinks by another 4 figures. This will not please the Queen Empress if we don't complete our mission.
Ineffective fire whizzes pass the 10th Lancers.
We've got them trapped but can't seem to hit anything.
The lancers, though tired, charge again.
Another success for the feared lancers on the battlefield.
What's left of the Highlanders and the Pioneers join forces while the lancers protect their flank.
With the way clear, the 20th Punjabis high tail it to the other end of the pass.
"Pow , Kapow, bang!"
@%$#&* dang it. This is not looking good.
Meanwhile on the right flank.
Where did they go?
There they are!
"Time to clear the polo grounds!" yells Major Cedric Kerr "Pip" Fitz-Lloyd Smith.
Yep. As a reminder the good major had the Leadership Trait of Unlucky.
"Run Away!"
The remnant of the infantry move up behind the lancers.
"Keep moving men."
"For the Major Sahib!"
Honor has been kept and we were true to our salt. (During this period the 10th Bengal Lancers composed of one squadron of Dogras, one of Punjabi Muslims, one and half squadron of Sikhs and 1/2 squadron of Pathans (Pashtuns)
"At the Double!"
Great. They're back.
Looks like the enemy tribesman will get one more charge.
"Fire!"
No hits at long range!
And the attack is just short.
And Mr. Babbage threw in the towel of defeat. It was a fast, furious and fun game - full of Hollywood action. One of the things I have learned when playing Mr. Babbage is that you have to figure out when you are going to move - because only a Move or an At the Double will give Mr. Babbage the opportunity to deploy a unit.
I was fortunate in this game that one unit of Tribal Infantry slinked away and never returned to the tabletop. This also happened a couple of turns later with one of the Tribal Shooters (Auxiliary Infantry). Knowing that Mr. Babbage was down two units that would never return, I took some risks with my movement. I was horrified when the 20th Punjabis got separated from the rest of the field force but placing them in and keeping them in Close order allowed the effected use of the bayonet and multiple Volley Fires which ensured their survival.
Speaking of survival, my big blunder of the game was not putting the Gordon Highlanders in close order when they were exposed to multiple tribal units . . .
The "fire" brigade of the game for me were the 10th Bengal Lancers. If not for them, the field force would not have made it to the end of the pass. Well done and huzzah!
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