Battle Report: 12th April 1992 Late British Indian  ~vs~  Late Afghan & Russian (Nog Norgren & Robert Avery ~vs~ Rupert Avery & Richard Avery)

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Late British Indian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   CinC 1             2inC 2           1st Brigade 1st/24th Bttn 40 8x5 RegB blr       Sikh Bttn 32 8x4 RegC mlr       Sepoy Bttn 32 8x4 RegC mlr     2nd Brigade 98th Highlanders 40 8x5 RegB blr       Ghurka Bttn 40 8x5 LightsC mlr     Cavalry 17th Lancers 16 4x4 RegB s,blc,p,l     Brigade Sikh Dragoons 16 4x4 RegC s, mlc     Bengal Lancers 20 4x5 RegC s,l,mlc   Camel Corps 8 2x4 RegB s,blr     Artillery 35th Btty RHA 3 3x1 RegB light blrb HA     Brigade 30th Btty RA 3 3x1 RegB light blrb FA       Gatling Gun 1 1x1 RegB hmg       Rocket Btty 1 1x1 RegB rocket launcher       Ammo Wagon 1                         4503

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Late Russian & Afghan Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points Russian CinC 1           24th 1st Bttn 48 4x12 RegC mlr*     Dneprovski 2nd Bttn 48 4x12 RegC mlr*     Regiment 3rd Bttn 48 4x12 RegC mlr*       4th Bttn 48 4x12 RegD mlr*       Attached Cossacks 30 6x5 RegC s,l       Attached Artillery 3 3x1 RegC light mlrb* FA                   2561 Afghan 2inC 1           Ghazis Ghazi Fanatics 36 1x36 FanB sp/sw,sh,mlr     Tribal Foot Purple Flag 32 1x32 IrregB sp/sw,sh,mlr       Blue Flag 32 1x32 IrregB sp/sw,sh,mlr       Red Flag 18 1x18 IrregA sp/sw,sh,mlr       Yellow Flag 18 1x18 IrregA sp/sw,sh,mlr     Tribal Horse Camelry 6 1x6 IrregC sw,mlr       Purple Flag 10 1x10 FanA sw,sp,sh,mlr       No Flag 10 1x10 FanA sw,sp,sh,mlr     Tribal Guns Guns 3 1x3 IrregC light mlsb FA                   1949               4510

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. Late British Indian Late Afghan/Russian Foot 3680 5840 Horse 1200 1120 Guns 16 12

Report Both sides had evolved definite strategies for the battle. The British CinC and troops were to hold the Afghans on the right, whilst the two sub-Generals led the Indian troops, the cavalry, and horse artillery to smash the Russians off the board on the left. The allies, meanwhile, had decided that the Russians would advance up the middle of the field, slowly, whilst the Afghans, concentrated on their left, would advance at top speed towards the facing British, and then wheel into the flank of the Sepoys. The battle started well for the British 2inC’s on the left: with the Horse Artillery wiping out the Russians guns in a mere 45 minutes. The 17th Lancers attempted a charge against the Cossack horse but did surprisingly badly: losing two squadrons to the Cossack’s three. On the other flank, meanwhile, the Afghans launched a surprise charge with his fanatical horse against the British CinC’s force. Although they routed two squadrons of Bengal Lancers, they were soon wiped out: mown down by British infantry fire. The British continued with their plan: with the Sepoy infantry hurling themselves into the Russians. A tit for tat slogging match developed, with each side losing battalions in turn. The Russian 1st Bttn took the hill in the centre of the field: defeating the Sikhs because the Sikhs were committed piecemeal instead of all at once. As the battle ended, the British Sepoys on the left were halted facing a strong Russian advance, but about to be properly supported by the horse artillery. On the right, the Afghans were halted facing a seemingly invulnerable British line. Casualties The British lost about 17% of their force, by points. The allies lost about 29% of their force, by points. Results As the battle was not fully conclusive, it was declared a winning draw for the British. Analysis The British 2inC severely underestimated the Russians. Their huge units, all well supported, were much more difficult to break than expected. If battle had continued, the Sepoys would have been forced to fall back and regroup and, although probably winning in the end, it would have been a long hard slog for the British.