Looking for a Rani? India 1857

 

Above Blue Moon's Rani of Jhansi. Smart, brave and well liked yet. Venerated even. The late Angus McBride was a wonderful illustrator. He painted the Rani like this. Many thanks to Iain below in the comments who reminded me of this splendid image.

Back to our model with a better look at her face.

Time was we had Irregular, Dixon and Blue Moon to represent the epic Indian struggles of 1857. Irregular is gone now. All the same they may turn up second hand and so are included.

Here we see the Rani accompanied by an Irregular Bugler and officer. Not a bad fit I think. Let's do more.

I bought the Blue Moon Indian Command pack in the hope that it would fit with my existing collection. You may judge if it does by the pic’s below.

 

Here is her nibs with a base of Dixon Indian Cavalry.  Not such a good fit is it? Now things get odd. Below, Dixon infantry protect the Rani.

 

This is a very good fit. Indeed, better than that between Dixon mounted and foot.

Now to Irregular Miniatures infantry with the Rani. 

A tad small I think. 

Not so above with the Dixon Cavalry. Very compatible I’d say.

I cannot advise on the Blue Moon infantry as I have none. I can tell you that Blue Moon infantry can be bigger or smaller. The 7YW are bigger than the ’45 fellows. The former match Old Glory, the latter Essex Miniatures. If the Blue Moon 1857 offering is among the smaller fellows they will do. If not they won’t.

To conclude I can see Dixon Miniatures infantry and Blue Moon/ Irregular cavalry working very nicely together. While the Dixon Cavalry go really well with the irregular infantry. Separate units enable a wider selection.

Here is the artillery. Dixon first.

Irregular Miniatures next.

I hope this is useful for those contemplating a new collection or just additions to an existing one.

Addendum

I couldn’t help being inspired by Angus McBride’s rendition of Lakshmi Bai Rani of Jhansi. Mine I thought was a bit plain by comparison. I reached for my brushes. 

Much better. Thanks again Iain.

Sieges, Sowars and Sepoys - The Fierce and the Guns

 

Today, we are back in India 1857. The job is to produce amendments that make Charge of the Light Brigade (COTLB) rules work for India.

There is a mechanism in COTLB to replicate the impact of a dashing British Cavalry Charge. Here it is:

“ (a) Plus 3 British Cavalry in line or double line attacking Russian Cavalry.

“ (b) Plus 2 For cavalry charging  or counter charging in double line (lines within 4” of each other). Russian attack column striking infantry or artillery straight on.

Very good, you can see what the author wants. How about India?

Let’s simplify:

“ (a) Plus 3 Lancer Cavalry in line or double line attacking  Artillery, Cavalry, Infantry in first round only.

(b) Plus 2 For cavalry charging  or counter charging in double line (lines within 4” of each other). Fierce infantry in line or  attack column striking infantry or artillery. First  round only.

Above we capture the temporary advantage conveyed by the lance. Captain Nolan advised that lancers post first contact should leave their lances embedded in the foe or on the ground. The extra reach of the lance was a real initial advantage. Read Captain Temple Godman's near escape in the Crimean War. Lancers could be found on both sides in India 1857.

Right so. Who are the Fierce? To a degree this is subjective. Meaning you must make your choice on the basis of the best information you have.

Consider the Highlanders. Sir Colin Campbell continually used them in highly aggressive actions. Some say that was because Campbell was a fierce Highlander and so were the lads. Others point out that the Highlanders were fully up to strength. Many British units were not. A good reason they were not chosen. 

I'm not labouring the point above with the underlining. I cannot get rid of it. Imagine it is not there if you will.

Some like to designate the Sikhs and Gurkhas as Fierce. I would qualify both as so in open battle. In City Fighting the Sikhs had other priorities.

On the Indian side of the lines we have Sadhus, Ghazi and Wahabis. Religious motivation is compelling. I’d say all of these could be Fierce. 

Although note there were never many militant Sadhus or Ghazis even. My Sadhus below, half the strength of a Regular unit.

Consider the evangelical British Colonels who had been preaching the concept of the Elect of God to their men for months and years. Then came Cawnpore and a subsequent storm of Atrocity Propaganda. Such formations might well qualify as Fierce.

We had British Officers telling W H Russell that the reason Sepoys fought to the death was that they were fanatics. That sound Fierce too.

Decisions should be made pre game. There should not be more than a few such Fierce units on each side.

The Guns next.

In the Anglo- Sikh Wars and in 1857 British officers noted a curious phenomenon.  Indian gunners got 3 shots off to every 2 the British managed. Why? Don’t know. The Indian genius for mathematics? It is recorded that the Indians were more accurate too.

Therefore I’m amending COTLB from:

“An artillery battery consists of three stands each of two men plus one piece.”

To

An artillery battery consists of three stands each of two men plus one piece for British and three stands each of three men plus one piece for Indian regular artillery.

Why so? In COTLB artillery fires by throwing one dice for each crew figure. There’s our 3 for 2. It is not often so easy.

Another easy hit is the advantage of the Enfield Rifle. The British had it the Sepoys didn't. Mind you at the start some British units didn't have it either.

More of this COTLB amending to come. Not too much I think. Next the all important higher command. Quite often the Sepoys had none.

I think this is going to work.

Meantime I have a copy of Mad Dogs and Englishmen by Jon Sutherland. These are not new Indian Mutiny rules (2018) but they are interesting.  I might even review them just to tease out the concepts more. Mainly I like aspects of the author's approach. Other's think he made a mess of it. See Ralph Astley's review on You tube for that.

I bought a copy of course. Some of the things that vexed Mr Astley are there alright. All the same I'm interested enough to make the cards. It is a Card Driven Game, mainly.

A final thought. I need a bit of this kind of thing. It is a British Official Residence about 1860. Big enough but not palatial. They varied in size according to the gig.

Further down the social scale. The Opium Agent's and similar ranks cottages. Note the European tiles and chimney pots.

It strikes me as an "Indian" version of a row of English rural cottages. There would have been servants galore. Yet it was very much the lower middle class version of gracious living. Akin to the English mini villas that so many of them retired too. I have been to such and find them fascinating. It's like being 28mm scale and living in a 20mm scale house.

Note the heavier European clothes. It cannot have been very comfortable. Caste Marks in a way I suppose.

We are back in the Crimea next week.

Bringing up the Guns- Anglo-Sikh Wars

 

Yes, it is Elephant Time.  As you know elephants were used to pull field artillery in the Anglo-Sikh Wars. In 1857 too. I have 6 in all.

These are from Dixon’s Indian Mutiny range. Very nice indeed. Gun from Fighting 15s, gunners from QRF.

Nothing says India like an elephant.  

I have been careful to keep my elephants neutral, both sides can use them.  

Before buying the Dixon Nellies I bought some from Fighting 15s.  These are smaller creatures but attractively done. Their main demerit is that no limbers are supplied. Luckily for me Irregular Miniatures helped out with three Elephant Limbers. As you might expect Irregular sell elephants with limbers but that was not where I found myself.

You see the resulting combination here.  Passable I think.

 

This last is actually a Rajah’s Elephant. I had intended it for Duleep Singh. Alas, I find that Prince’s life is too tragic to contemplate-even in 15mm. His elephant now pulls a gun. 

Should you want an infant Maharajah on an elephant try QRF.  They have a splendid one.

I have a couple of bullock pulled limbers too. Here is one.  All very much end of project stuff you might think.  You would be right.

A British Army for the Anglo-Sikh Wars

My Anglo-Sikh War collection began in the last century. Consequently this post will remind me of what I have and what I might need to add.  Above, the Rifles.

I also need to rate my forces for the Anglo-Sikh Wars.  It has occasioned much thought and some revisions to my previous thinking.  Research will do that.  A good thing and of course the thinking doesn’t stop.

Mostly the British liked a 2-1 combination. That is two native units to one British one.  The latter could be Company or HM.  Apart from the irregulars all were trained in the British manner. Drilled seems a reasonable category for all of the Regulars.

There is the question of superiority of British units.  In fact there was little observable difference in performance or staying power. Yet, the British commanders thought that there was. To model this I’m trying out the British units as Drilled Elite and the Sepoys and Sowars as simply Drilled.

A second question is what of the vaunted British Fire Power?  Experimentally I intend to limit the potential +D3 result to British Infantry units. Sepoys will not benefit.

The cavalry also followed the 2-1 model

Another Brigade.  Note the Governor General's Body Guard in the back rank.

The final Regular cavalry Brigade. It could do with another unit of Bengal Native Cavalry.  Or, maybe I will just attach the Horse Artillery.

The Indian irregular cavalry were a key component of the Army.  You see three such units below.

The British fielded a lot of artillery often of lighter calibre that that of the Sikhs.

You see all of my British artillery below.

I realise I have no Bengal Native Artillery.

No shortage of guns though.

Various British Commanders below including two versions of Sir Hugh Gough.  Governor General Hardinge's there too.

You can see my entire Anglo-Sikh War British Collection on this page. It has been quite a journey. We will see the Sikhs next time. 

An Anglo-Sikh Wars Appendix for Republic to Empire

 

Here are some suggestions to enable you to use Barry Hilton’s Republic to Empire to game the battles of the Anglo-Sikh Wars.  These deal with Sikh Gorchurra, Akali, Matchlock men, Artillery, British infantry fire-power and more.

You can find the rationale for much that follows in my various articles on the Anglo-Sikh Wars posted on this blog.  Should Republic to Empire not be your cup of tea I hope you will still find the following of interest.  

Above, my final unit of Khalsa Regulars. The following pic's are the newest and last ones of my Anglo-Sikh Wars Collection. Yes, it is really finished-apart from some artillery elephants.

Traitor Generals

Should the Sikh General prove to be a traitor double cost of all MPs for Sikh Brigade Actions.  Roll a D6 on a score of 1 the General is a traitor and is removed from the Battle Field. I see a possible application here for India 1857 in respect of Sepoy units without a General Officer Commanding.

Cold Steel Assaults

Senior British Commanders liked to assault with cold steel.  Roll a D6, on a score of 6 two British Brigades enter the battle unloaded.  On a score of 5, one British Brigade does so.  Such brigades can only fire after their first attempted charge home.

Cavalry v Cavalry Broad Strokes

British and Indian regular cavalry fight Sikh regular cavalry as written in Republic to Empire.

Gorchurra and Indian irregular cavalry fight each other as written in Republic to Empire.

The Gorchurra

Gorchurra move as light cavalry in column of march and fight in column of squadrons.

Gorchurra are never disordered by melee.

Before melee they shoot, throw a D3 the result is the number of shooting dice.

Range is point blank.

Any casualties caused make opponents do an officer casualty check.

Armoured Gorchurra count as cuirassiers in melee.

British and Indian regular cavalry will pass through the Gorchurra post melee regardless of the combat result.

Gorchurra may then turn to face at a cost of 1mp.

Add Resolve Check minus to Gorchurra if under artillery fire.

Indian Irregular Cavalry

Indian Irregular Cavalry move as light cavalry in column of march and fight in column of squadrons.

Some Indian Irregular Cavalry shoot, if so equipped, throw a D3 the result is the number of shooting dice. Measure for range.

Indian Irregular Cavalry are never disordered by melee.

Add Resolve Check minus to Indian Irregular Cavalry if under artillery fire.

 

British regular cavalry

British regular cavalry, except charging Lancers, fight as disordered against Gorchurra. 

Post melee British regular cavalry measure their outcome move from the point that they passed through the Gorchurra.  That is, immediately behind the Gorchurra and facing the same direction of their initial charge.

Indian regular cavalry

Indian regular cavalry count, -2 on the Resolve Check Procedure if ordered to charge Gorchurra.

If an Indian regular cavalry unit refuses to charge, but holds position, they may shoot, throw a D3 the result is the number of shooting dice. Measure for range. 

Indian regular cavalry, except charging Lancers, fight as disordered against Gorchurra. 

Artillery

The Sikh regular artillery outperformed its British counter parts.  Rate Sikh regular artillery as veteran. British as trained.  There is good evidence from 1857 that Sepoy Artillery outshot and were more accurate than their British equivalents. So perhaps British Native Artillery should be rated as the Sikh artillery.  Sikh Irregular artillery as trained or recruit.

Matchlock Men

Sikh irregular foot using matchlocks or jezails shoot as Recruits.  This reflects the slower loading and various ranges of their firearms.

In combat they gain the “Pike” bonus and, as they are never disordered by melee, keep it.

British Regular Infantry

British infantry fire power was impressive.

Conditions in India often were not ideal.

The heat was hard upon the British infantry. Forced marching doubly so.

Sometimes their Generals threw them into combat without adequate rest and refreshment.

After deployment throw a D6. 

On a score of 1,2,3 the British infantry gain a D3 result of extra shooting dice as written in Republic to Empire.

On a score of 4,5,6 they do not.

I'm not applying this to Sepoy units.

Khalsa Infantry and Artillery

Khalsa Infantry and Artillery gain a D3 result of additional dice in the first round of melee.

Akali

Akali warriors should be Guard or Veteran.

They may shoot, throw a D3, the result is the number of shooting dice available. Measure for range.

In combat they gain the “Pike” bonus and, as they are never disordered by melee, keep it.

Where next on this?  We are going to see both armies and then a try out game.

 

Yellow Ribbon

 

I recently re-read ARCHAEOLOGY, HISTORY and CUSTER'S LAST BATTLE by Richard Allan Fox, Jnr.  The definitive work that cut through a century of wishful thinking,  self -serving nonsense and plain just getting it wrong.  Very good you say, and?

I have a hard copy of Greg Novak's Yellow Ribbon rules for the Plains Wars.   Amongst aficionados of the period Yellow Ribbon claims the Laurels.

I also have a box full of 15mm figures.  Last opened circa The Men Who would Be Kings.  I opened the box.  I had thought I was going to need horses for the horse holders.  Not so, I had already bought them but not painted them.  Grand.

Yellow Ribbon requires 16 figures per Company of cavalry.  Mounted and dismounted.  This I had.  I had more but not enough for a second company.  I also have Crow Scouts and some infantry.  There are some pack mules some where and figures suitable for Packers. One packer for 2 Mules, two Mules per Company.

I will do a second Company.  I also need some wounded cavalry figures.  They are an important feature of the game.

As for the Plains People I have loads of warriors.  Yellow Ribbon requires bands of 12 to 18 figures.  Mounted and dismounted.  These I have in great store.  I need more Indian women, children and elderly-dismounted only.

I could go more Tepees too.  Irregular again I think.  It is the cost effective option.

First though I need to make a QRS for Yellow Ribbon.  No small task.  The original is in small text, produced on machines that have long been obsolete, the pagination has gone wrong and the information could have been ordered better.  No matter, this is one of the Great Games.  Superbly conceived and covering all aspects of the War on the Plains.  In Yellow Ribbon Indians behave as Indians and the Cavalry need to take care.

Should you fancy doing the Plains Wars 10mm has much to recommend it.  Mine are 15mm. My point is the more space on the table the better.  

The West was vast and empty. Until it wasn't empty.  Hoka Hey!

In my next Yellow Ribbon post I will show you my first 7th Cavalry Company.  That means 16 cavalry mounted, 12 cavalry horses, and 13 dismounted cavalry.  Three troopers remain mounted as horse holders. Also two Pack Mules and a Packer to lead them.  That is the basic USA unit for Yellow Ribbon.  Mine represents Company K 7th Cavalry led by Lieutenant Edward Godfrey.

Some judicious additions have been ordered. They include a pony herd, a USA Wagon, additional troopers and Indian non combatants.

Above we see one of my Indian bands.  They are organised into Warrior Societies.  We will meet each of them as we go.

If you are new to the Plains Wars you might be asking What is so special about Yellow Ribbon?  The answer is simple.  The Indians behave like Indians did in the Plains Wars.

Do ride along with me as we head into the West.