Back of Beyond : The Train to Kandahar

Since painting the Afghan and British ‘back of beyond’ troops they haven’t had a proper run out on the table so I thought it would be nice to see how they play. I don’t have that many so a small skirmish scenario was set up. The British have been using the railway to move supplies north to Kandahar but at an isolated stopping point an ambush has been set.

Using bolt action the British would be allowed to deploy one infantry unit and a medium machine gun at the train. These stout fellows would then have to hold out for reinforcements which would come on in 2 waves turns one and two. The tribal forces would be deployed in ambush no closer than 18” to the objective. The British force is slightly smaller but of higher quality and they have two Lancester Armoured cars mounted with medium machine guns.

The British guarding the train dig in for the coming assault.

Tribal forces appear from all directions

and have set up a machine gun in the building overlooking the train

Their fire may be inaccurate but they have strength in numbers and in hand to hand combat will be tough

Step to it orders Colonel Robinson ! In a cloud of dust the British relief column arrives from the south

The first wave spreads out, opens fire at the run. One unit is despatched to deal with some mercenaries hiding in the rocks, the Lancester heads towards the train

It may be too late tribesmen are swarming over the train and have already knocked out the machine gun

But then the second wave arrives and starts to focus its disciplined fire on the enemy

British infantry tired but in time to rescue the train guard ?

The mercenaries by the rocks have been almost wiped out but the remaining two soldiers turn out to be from a long heritage of Central Asian mountain hunters and they quickly pick out the NCO from the nearest unit !

The train provides cover for the irregular tribal warriors

…but any tribesmen caught in the open are soon regretting their position

The second British wave is now pushing towards the train and they still have the numbers, both Lancesters open fire

The enemy cowering by the field stand little chance

the enemy cavalry have crossed the railway and open up long range then charge in against the Sikh infantry.

A disaster for the British as they advance towards the train one of the leading squads takes fright…this is a key moment during the battle and suddenly the British are on the back foot heading in the wrong direction.

Having said that there are few remaining warriors holding the train and the battle isn’t over yet

The British make a final push….

But there are just too few of them to contest the objective in the last turn, one interesting fact but unfortunate fact in the battle is nearly all the British infantry units lost their NCO’s quite rare this perhaps was the cause of the defeat ?

A good game, great to get these figures on the table and a sense I know what else I need to get on and paint. Some more Afghans to start with to give them a little more variety.

Thanks as always for looking 😀