Anglo-Sikh Wars - A rather large affair and a long post

Conrad and Paul S came over today for another Sikh Wars game. It wasn’t a refight of anything in particular but did have low jungle all over the board and a nullah running across a good third of the table so suitably ‘Punjaby’ terrain. Both armies were pretty large, with almost all my collection on the table (orders of battle at the end). I was determined to play so Conrad was Gough while Paul and I were the Khalsa (Paul was the man on the elephant, the illustrious leader of our forces). I’d fiddled with the stats a bit more since the test game last week with John the Red so I was hoping the changes would work. As is usual nowadays the turn sequence was changed so it went as follows: move CinC, initiative moves, shooting, commanded moves, melee. I can’t lay any claim to thinking up this change as I copied it off several other bloggers, but despite the protestations of a number of people who haven’t tried it this way, it does work and greatly improves the game, especially if you play the period and not the rules. Believe me.

Anyway, the Sikhs deployed first, with all our cavalry on the left, due to the nullah on the right. Our guns were spread across our front interspersed between our infantry brigades. The British went first and Conrad ordered everything forward as fast as it could go, with horse artillery and a brigade of cavalry getting two moves  in the first turn. Most of the British infantry brigades also made at least two moves over the table. It was clear that the British were treating the Sikhs with some contempt and thought a rapid advance would see us off. Tactically absolutely correct of course and not especially subtle. Then again Gough was famed for his “Tipperary Rush”. But here I shall stop rambling and let the photos tell the story of this epic clash.

The Sikh army deployed for battle.

The Sikhs from the other flank. There are lots of them, but there are lots of British too. 

Conrad measuring to move his Bengal Horse Artillery forward two moves. The cavalry led by HM 3rd LD also charged two moves across the table.

Massed Sikh Zamburak camel gunners. A more useless  group of units I cannot comprehend!

In the centre a brigade of British races across the table.

Three troops of Bengal Horse Artillery are now deployed close to the Sikh left wing.

On the Sikh right my Akali's charged HM 9th Foot (I had no choice), and survived closing fire, despite the Norfolks being disordered by artillery fire.

My Akali cavalry also charged but although they made contact were bounced by a wall of bayonets. European troops do not have the must form square rule.

Sikh cuirassiers and lancers advance.

"Here goes death or glory!" HM 16th Lancers charge a battery of Sikh horse artillery and miraculously make it into contact.

Two batteries of Bengal Foot Artillery come under heavy fire from the Sikhs to their front, immobilising them.

A battalion of Bengal NI bravely charge a disordered battery of Sikh artillery. The infantry also make it into contact through a hail of grapeshot.

Further over on the Sikh right two brigades of British are sensibly avoiding the heavy battery, preferring to deal with a hoard of Akali fanatics.

Seen from behind the British left, it can be seen clearly how far across the table they have marched, and this was only turn two!

I gave the British a battery of heavy cannon and howitzers that failed to hit anything for much of the game.

Again, from behind the British centre a massive if not epic cavalry battle is developing.

British reserves move up to support their attack on the left.

Paul just had to charge the BHA with his Gorchara. Conrad elected to stand and fight. Two troops drove the cavalry off but the one closest the camera was overrun.

HM 3rd LD (foreground, white cap covers) charge Sikh cuirassiers while the 9th Bengal Irregular Cavalry (in red with lances) have charged some Sikh lancers. Beyond them HM 16th Lancers are still fighting the Sikh artillery. A Sikh battalion has formed square behind the battery. NOTE: Sikh artillery will always stand the first time they are forced to take a break test in hand to hand. This is to reflect their stubbornness and willingness to fight to the death around their cannon.

A closer view of the cavalry fight.

And a closer view of the Gorchara's attack on the BHA.

At last HM16th Lancers break the Sikh battery.

The 16th will not be risking any more combat before they can rally.

Over on my right, the forgotten brigade of Feudal infantry managed two moves in turn 1 (on a leadership of 6) and occupied the nullah. The British flank was up in the air and ripe for turning. To their left a brigade of Sikh regulars is also almost across the nullah with another not far behind.

A battalion of Sikhs charge Conrad's artillery and survive closing fire.

The 9th Bengal Irregular Cavalry, supported by the 8th, have driven off a regiment of Sikh lancers. HM 3rd LD are still locked in combat with the Sikh cuirassiers while several units of camel borne zamburek's look rather exposed. The surviving BHA were forced to evade to avoid being overrun by yet more Gorchara.

The Sikhs charged and overran a battery of artillery covering Conrad's flank.

My Feudal infantry close with the British heavy battery. They had actually thrown a blunder forcing them to  make three moves towards the enemy!

Another battery of Sikh cannon are overrun by 16th BNI.

This Sikh battalion just could not hit anyone in melee and were actually forced to take a break test as a result of which they had to retreat. Honours to the gunners this time. 

The Governor General's Bodyguard attacked another regiment of cuirassier and horror or horrors lost and  failed their break test, running away!

The field has thinned out a bit on our left.

My feudal troops charged and overran the heavy battery.

These gunners have just driven off yet another attack by my Sikh infantry. Sadly they had to withdraw as they were deemed to have become spent or run out of ammunition as more than half of the British artillery had been knocked out by this stage. 

Conrad still has three brigades surging forward on our right, and we have very little to stop them.

The Bengal Europeans are forced to retreat as their brigade has been broken as both Sepoy battalions are either routed or shaken.

The British juggernaut crunches into my infantry.

As they do, their flank is exposed to enfilading fire from some Sikh heavy guns.

The Sikh regular cavalry has been broken but the Gorchara are still going strong while both of Conrad's cavalry brigades are starting to falter.

The Sikhs in the centre suffer a reverse when another battalion breaks, forcing the elite 'Fauj-i-khas' brigade to withdraw.

On our right my infantry are too slow crossing the nullah and cannot get to grips with the British. 

The position at the end of the battle. 

The British right at the end of the game.

We did a quick count at this time and both armies had lost four brigades of troops, so the game was declared a rather sanguinary draw. Not a bad result. Well, a bad result for the British as they didn't win, and a good result for the Sikh army as they didn't loose! Some fortunate or unfortunate and well/ill timed dice throws played havoc with both armies, but especially the British against the vastly inferior Sikh cavalry who managed to hold their own for much of the battle. We rattled through the game in about four hours, with half an hour for lunch, which is good going for a game utilising such large armies. I'm happy with the period-specific unit stats and house rules, and they continue to add to the flow and enjoyment of the game.

I thoroughly enjoyed the game, and it was certainly spectacular and very pretty. Thanks to Paul and Conrad for coming. I've only got maybe 200 figures left to paint plus several gun teams (horse, oxen and camel) together with sundry vignettes and that will this lot finished.



BRITISH ARMY OF THE SUTLEJ: General Sir Hugh Gough (9)***
2nd in COMMAND: Lt. General Sir Henry Hardinge, Governor General (8)

Cavalry Bde: Brigadier White (9)
HM 3rdLight Dragoons
8th& 9thBengal Irregular Cavalry

Cavalry Bde: Brigadier Gough (8)
HM 16thLancers
Governor General’s Bodyguard
2 regiments Bengal Light Cavalry

Artillery: Brigadier Brooke (9)
3 troops BHA (light)
3 batteries BFA (medium)
1 battery BFA (heavy)

1st Division: Maj-Gen Sir Harry Smith (9)1 x European btn
2 x Sepoy btn

Infantry Bde: Bolton (8)
1 x European btn
2 x Sepoy btn

2nd Division: Maj-Gen Sir John Littler(8)

2 x European btn
2 x Sepoy btn

Infantry Bde: Reid (8)
1 x European btn
2 x Sepoy btn

3rdDivision: Maj-Gen Sir John McCaskill (8)1 x European btn
3 Sepoy btn


SIKH ARMY

Commander in Chief: Pal Singh(7)

Artillery: (6)

2 heavy batteries
1 medium battery
1 light battery

Cavalry Bde: (7)
2 x regular cuirassiers
2 x regular lancers (1 is Fauj-i-khas, Guard)

Cavalry Bde: (8)

6 x Gorchara
5 x zambarek camel ‘batteries’

Akali: (8)

6 x Akali
1 x Akali cavalry

Infantry Bde: (8)

5 x Fauj-i-khas btn
1 light horse battery

Infantry Bde: (8)
3 x regular btn

Infantry Bde: (6)
3 x regular btn

Infantry Bde: (7)
3 x regular btn

Infantry Bde: (6)
3 x regular btn

Infantry Bde: (6)
3 x Feudal btns


House Rules for Sikh Wars:

1. Amended turn sequence – move CinC, initiative, shooting, commanded moves, melee
2. If Gough is used for a re-roll which passes, the move MUST be taken in full heading towards the enemy (The Tipperary Rush!)
3. Hardinge and the divisional commanders act as ‘mini CinCs’ for re-roll purposes, the former for the army and the latter for their respective divisons.
4. If the European element of an infantry brigade fails a break test, all BNI in the brigade must also take a test.
5. Ignore modifications to morale saves from lancers.
6. Risk to generals from random shots: (we forgot this bit again)
Within 12” of unit shot at - 12
With a unit shot at or in melee – 11,12
Leading a ‘follow me’ when shot at – 10,11,12

Unit Type	Armament	Melee	Shooting	Morale	Stamina	Special
BRITISH
EUROPEAN INFANTRY	SB	8	4	3+	4	STEADY, STUBBORN, FIRST FIRE, RELIABLE, TOUGH FIGHTERS, FEROCIOUS CHARGE
60TH RIFLES	MLR	7(4)	4(2)	3+	4(2)	SHARPSHOOTERS, MARAUDERS, TOUGH FIGHTERS (SMALL)
BENGAL SEPOYS	SB	6	3	4+	3	FIRST FIRE, (UNRELIABLE), (NEWLY RAISED)
GHURKA INFANTRY	SB	7	3	3+	3	FIRST FIRE, TOUGH FIGHTERS,
EUROPEAN LIGHT DRAGOONS	SABRE CARB	7	1	3+	4	FEROCIOUS CHARGE, TOUGH FIGHTERS, STEADY, HC+1
EUROPEAN LANCERS	LANCE PISTOL	8	1	3+	4	FEROCIOUS CHARGE, TOUGH FIGHTERS, STEADY, HC +1
BENGAL LIGHT CAVALRY	SABRE CARB	6	1	4+	3
GOV GENERAL’S BODYGUARD	SABRE CARB	6	1	3+	3	ELITE
BENGAL IRREGULAR CAVALRY	SABRE LANCE	6/7	1	3+	3	MARAUDERS,
BENGAL HORSE ARTILLERY TROOP	SB Lt	1	3/2/1	3+	2	MARAUDERS, ELITE
BENGAL FOOT ARTILLERY BATTERY	SB Med/Hvy HOW Hvy	1	3/2/1	4+	2	ELITE

Unit Type	Armament	Melee	Shooting	Morale	Stamina	Special
SIKHS
REGULAR ‘GUARD’ INFANTRY ‘FAUJ-I-KHAS’	SB	7	3	3+	3	TOUGH FIGHTERS, 1STFIRE
REGULAR INFANTRY ‘FAUJ-I-AIN’	SB	6	3	4+	3	TOUGH FIGHTERS, 1STFIRE
FEUDAL INFANTRY	MATCHLOCK	6	3	5+	3	UNRELIABLE, UNTESTED, POOR SHOTS
FEUDAL IRREGULARS	MATCHLOCK/ JEZAIL	6(4)	3(2)	5+	3(2)	UNRELIABLE, (SMALL), SKIRMISH, POOR SHOTS
AKALI	SWORD SB	7	2	4+	4	BLOODTHIRSTY, POOR SHOTS, DETERMINED CHARGE, MARAUDERS
CUIRASSIER	SABRE	6	-	3+	3
‘GUARD’ CAVALRY	SABRE/LANCE	6/7	1	4+	3
DRAGOONS/LANCERS	SABRE/LANCE	6/7	1	5+	3	UNRELIABLE
GORCHARA	LANCE, PISTOLS, SB, SABRE	7	1	4+	3	UNRELIABLE
FEUDAL IRREGULAR CAVALRY	SABRE (LANCE), SB	6	1	5+	3	UNRELIABLE, WAIVERING
AKALI CAVALRY	SABRE, MATCHLOCK	6	1	4+	4	MARAUDERS, BLOODTHIRSTY, DETERMINED CHARGE
HORSE ARTILLERY BATTERY	SB	2	4/3/2	3+	3	ELITE, VALIANT, LARGE, EXPERT GUNNERS
FOOT ARTILLERY BATTERY	SB	3	4/3/2	3+	3	ELITE, VALIANT, LARGE, EXPERT GUNNERS
ZAMBAREKS/CAMEL GUNS	SB (24”)	2	1/1/1	5+	2	UNRELIABLE, WAIVERING