Battle Report: 11th August 1991 Early British Indian  ~vs~  Early Afghan (Robert Avery ~vs~ Richard Avery)

.

Early British Indian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   CinC 1         100   2inC 1         50   72nd Highlanders 40 8x5 RegB mlr   480   94th Foot 40 8x5 RegB mlr   480   54th Foot 40 10x4 RegB mlr (2 Co's LI)    416   35th Bengal Foot 32 8x4 RegC sbm   288   3rd Ghurka Foot 40 8x5 LightsC mlr   520   Sikh Dragoons 16 4x4 RegC s,mlc   248 1st Btty RA 3 3x1 RegB medium mlsb FA 294   1st Btty RHA 3 3x1 RegB medium mlsb HA   369   Ammo Wagon 1                         3328

.

Early Afghan Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points CinC 1 100 2inC 1 50 Pathans Foot 1 36 1x36 FanB sp/sw,sh 267 Foot 2 36 1x36 FanB sp/sw,sh 267   Foot 3 18 1x18 MksA sp/sw,sh,blr 195   Foot 4 18 1x18 MksA sp/sw,sh,mlr 195   Horse 1 10 1x10 FanA sp/sw,sh,mlr 155 Horse 2 10 1x10 FanA sp/sw,sh,mlr 155   Horse 3 9 1x10 FanB sp/sw,sh,mlr   142 Waziri Foot 1 32 1x32 IrregB sp/sw,sh,mlr 239 Foot 2 32 1x32 IrregB sp/sw,sh,mlr 239   Foot 3 32 1x32 IrregB sp/sw,sh,mlr 239   Foot 4 32 1x32 IrregB sp/sw,sh,mlr 239   Foot 5 32 1x32 IrregC sp/sw,sh 143   Foot 6 18 1x32 IrregC sp/sw,sh,mlr 133 Ghilzai Foot 1 18 1x18 IrregA sp/sw,sh,mlr   169   Guns 2 1x3 IrregB medium mlsb FA   314     1     light mlsb FA       Works       40" medium works   40               3331

.

. Early British Indian Early Afghan Foot 3040 6080 Horse 320 580 Guns 12 6

Report The Afghans commenced battle by advancing their flanks very strongly, whilst keeping their centre firm behind their works. On the right flank, they succeeded in routing two squadrons of Sikh Dragoons, and getting their infantry into good skirmishing positions. The British, however, recovering quickly, were able to deploy their Highlanders into line, ready to clear this enemy skirmish line, with Ghurkas and the CinC present in support. On the other flank, the British replied very strongly to the Afghan thrust: routing the Pathan horse with horse artillery and their light troops, and then outflanking the remaining Afghans with artillery, skirmishers and other troops. Things looked bad for the Afghans on this flank. In the centre, the British also advanced strongly, just preparing themselves to charge the disordered Afghans (over eager attempts at doubling) as the battle ended. Casualties The British lost 2 squadrons of Sikh Dragoons; 38 sepoys and 129 Ghurkas: a total of 327. Their 2inC was seriously wounded. The Afghans lost 360 Pathan horse, 196 marksmen and about 30 fanatics: total 586. Results A draw, but with the British enjoying an advantage. Analysis A battle that had to be halted for time reasons just as it was getting going.