Our 1845 game, in the Punjab
The Sikh Attack
Written by Jay Stribling, with Photos and notes from Ed Sansing. We used the Flames in the Punjab rules, adapted from Larry Brom's "800 Fighting Englishmen" TSATF variant rules set,
Photo by Ed Sansing
Brigadier Cathcart Bracegirdle, a brigade commander in the coming battle. (Editor's note: This is an extreme close-up of one of Mark Stevens' 25mm mounted figures, taken by Ed Sansing. Didn't they both do good work? Also, I think this looks just like Mark - if he would let his mustache grow! Jay Stribling)
Photo by Ed Sansing
A Sepoy or East India Co. battalion takes up a defensive position on the south edge of town.
Photo by Ed Sansing
Larry Reeves, the British commander, in the foreground. John Hesselberg is next with the game master, Mark Stevens (game master) is bending over the rules. The other British commander was Ed Sansing - the photographer. The portly figure in the background is a Sikh spy, pretending to be a camp servant.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The talented and charming Sikh Players. Left to Right: Jay Stribling, Robert Whitfield, and Jim Pitts.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The British position, looking from south to north. Ed Sansing's brigade in the foreground, Larry Reeves' men in the center (holding the town) and John's in the north (among the supplies and along the ridge to the north).
Photo by Ed Sansing
The sikh army enters the field. These men are part of Jim Pitts' Left-hand division. (Ah, the enemy appears! Ed Sansing)
Photo by Ed Sansing
Jim's division commander - marvellously uniformed!
Photo by Ed Sansing
One of Jim's brigade commanders - also wearing his full-dress finery to the battle today! (Editor's note: These troops were all raised by Mark Steves and beautifully painted!)
Photo by Ed Sansing
John Switzer, standing in checked shirt, offers advice to Larry Reeves and John Hesselberg.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The East India company's draft elephant has deposited a heavy gun on the ridge to the north. It's first shot is shown. Actually the black smoke was used to signify "not ready to fire".
Photo by Ed Sansing
A view showing Jim's approach to my brigade. One of Robert Whitfield's brigades is just off the top edge of the photo - to the north. He will conduct the assault on the village.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The camel troopers with Jingal guns approache from the north. These men and their nasty-smelling mounts were the extreme right flank of the Sikh line. (I intended to work them around to the rear/flank of the British artillery and take pot shots at the gunners. This would work as long as there were no British cavalry. Jay Stribling)
Photo by Ed Sansing
A view of the Sikh battle line as it approaches the British.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The defenders of the town await the Sikhs with confidence. Their feelings were not misplaced. Several hurried Sikh assaults were beaten off. Unknown to the British, the Sikhs would receive more victory points if they could take the town and the tented camp/supply dump by turn five.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The Sikh commander appears aboard his mobile command post - on the back of his favorite elephant: Fluffy. Cries of "Our elephant is prettier than yours!" were heard drifting across the battlefield.
Photo by Ed Sansing
Casualties have occurred on both sides, as the Sikh forces under the command of Robert Whitfield, moving from the right of the photo, are about to assault the enemy guns. Although thier assault was valiant, they were repulsed..
Photo by Ed Sansing
The same view, from higher up and a slightly different angle - looking from the center northward.
Photo by Ed Sansing
A shot of the extreme British left (or Sikh Right). The camel battalion has been driven off the ridge, but not before they dispached many of the East India company's valiant artillery men. The British cavalry brigade had to commit 2 regiments to reinforce that area, one of which is shown, arriving behind the guns. The other cavalry regiment was right behind it.
MORE TO COME
SO - Who won this battle anyway? Ahh - not yet sahib. You must wait!
Part 2 of this battle report will be here shortly
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