Being a member of the Victorian Military Society, I read their quarterly magazine Soldiers of the Queen. Many of the articles are about the North-West Frontier. I decided to purchase a boardgame on that theatre of war to get a better idea of what went on. I came across The Khyber Ablaze, a print and play game by Berserker Games.
Complete Game Background
The Khyber Ablaze is a semi-historical simulation of the many Afghan and Pakistani tribal uprisings during the Victorian Era. The game begins shortly after a Pathan Leader, Ahmed Khan, has stirred up the natives in the whole region and is poised to launch assaults on British Settlers to drive them back to Great Britain.
The Khyber Ablaze is a semi-historical simulation of the many Afghan and Pakistani tribal uprisings during the Victorian Era. The game begins shortly after a Pathan Leader, Ahmed Khan, has stirred up the natives in the whole region and is poised to launch assaults on British Settlers to drive them back to Great Britain.
British Units Game System
The game is fun and easy to play, the only reference required during play is two double-sided game Reference Cards. I particularly like the three combat tables, Attack Effects, Fire Effects and Melee Effects. Combined, the three tables give a really good ‘ebb and flow’ feel to each battle.
The game is fun and easy to play, the only reference required during play is two double-sided game Reference Cards. I particularly like the three combat tables, Attack Effects, Fire Effects and Melee Effects. Combined, the three tables give a really good ‘ebb and flow’ feel to each battle.
Settlement Markers Objective
Player takes command of the British Forces along the Northwest Frontier. The Player’s Objective is to attempt to capture three of the four Afghan Controlled Key Settlements (Samangan, Konduz, Herat or Kandahar) before the Campaign Deck is exhausted. If the British have not captured three Pathan Key Settlements before the last Campaign Card is played, the Pathans Win.
If the Ahmed Khan’s Pathan Forces Capture a number of Key British Settlements whose Fortification Values total twenty or more, they win.
Player takes command of the British Forces along the Northwest Frontier. The Player’s Objective is to attempt to capture three of the four Afghan Controlled Key Settlements (Samangan, Konduz, Herat or Kandahar) before the Campaign Deck is exhausted. If the British have not captured three Pathan Key Settlements before the last Campaign Card is played, the Pathans Win.
If the Ahmed Khan’s Pathan Forces Capture a number of Key British Settlements whose Fortification Values total twenty or more, they win.
Strategy
I made a plan to first neutralize the launch points for Pathan Offensive Action which are the settlements of Nok Kundi, Sukkur, Zhob, Gujranwala, Kwost and Ghazni.
I would then head inland to capture three of the four Pathan Key Settlements whilst leaving garrisons at the subdued launch points.
I made a plan to first neutralize the launch points for Pathan Offensive Action which are the settlements of Nok Kundi, Sukkur, Zhob, Gujranwala, Kwost and Ghazni.
I would then head inland to capture three of the four Pathan Key Settlements whilst leaving garrisons at the subdued launch points.
The Afghan War 1870-1881
Initial Set-up 1870 (see image)
General (Gen) Hart (6*) in Delhi.
Colonel (Col) Hamilton (4) in Lahore.
Col Abbot (2) in Peshawar.
*Number in brackets shows quantity of British Line Infantry battalions in Leader’s Column. Support units might also be attached.
General (Gen) Hart (6*) in Delhi.
Colonel (Col) Hamilton (4) in Lahore.
Col Abbot (2) in Peshawar.
*Number in brackets shows quantity of British Line Infantry battalions in Leader’s Column. Support units might also be attached.
Battle of Sialkot 1871
Gen Gaselee (8) forms Column in Bombay.
While on the march to capture Gujranwala, Col Hamilton is met in Battle by Omar at Sialkot (see image). Omar’s ten units (including five cavalry!) defeat Col Hamilton’s five units. Col Hamilton is killed and replaced by Col Hill. Column then retreats towards Bahawalpur. Bad start!
Gen Gaselee (8) forms Column in Bombay.
While on the march to capture Gujranwala, Col Hamilton is met in Battle by Omar at Sialkot (see image). Omar’s ten units (including five cavalry!) defeat Col Hamilton’s five units. Col Hamilton is killed and replaced by Col Hill. Column then retreats towards Bahawalpur. Bad start!
Siege of Quetta Ahmed lays siege to Quetta (see image). Six British units eliminated but only after a bloody struggle where the Pathans lose five units from ten. Quetta now Pathan Controlled. Another setback!
1872
Pathans capture Jaisalmer...within the territory of India!
British capture Sukkur but Pathans counter by capturing nearby Zareh.
1872
Pathans capture Jaisalmer...within the territory of India!
British capture Sukkur but Pathans counter by capturing nearby Zareh.
1873
No events.
1874
British capture Ghazni.
British capture Kwost.
Pathans fail to capture Rawalpindi but Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Dowse is killed during siege. He is replaced by Lt Col McRae.
1875
British wrest back Zareh from the Pathans.
British capture Nok Kundi.
1876
British capture Gilgit.
1877
British capture Gujranwala.
Gen Chaytor (8) forms a Column at Bombay and immediately moves by rail all the way to Peshawar.
1878
No events.
No events.
1874
British capture Ghazni.
British capture Kwost.
Pathans fail to capture Rawalpindi but Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Dowse is killed during siege. He is replaced by Lt Col McRae.
1875
British wrest back Zareh from the Pathans.
British capture Nok Kundi.
1876
British capture Gilgit.
1877
British capture Gujranwala.
Gen Chaytor (8) forms a Column at Bombay and immediately moves by rail all the way to Peshawar.
1878
No events.
Gaselee's Campaign 1879-1881
Gaselee's Campaign 1879
Gen Chaytor marches on Konduz but is killed during a battle in mountains to the south-west of the settlement. He is replaced by Lt Col Bunny. Attempt on the first Pathan Key Settlement fails.
Muhan rebels to Pathan control.
Gen Chaytor marches on Konduz but is killed during a battle in mountains to the south-west of the settlement. He is replaced by Lt Col Bunny. Attempt on the first Pathan Key Settlement fails.
Muhan rebels to Pathan control.
Siege of Khandahar Lt Col O’Bryen (4) forms a Column at Jalalabad.
Lt Col Lamb (4) forms a Column at Peshawar.
Gen Gaselee’s Column marches out of Nok Kundi, heads north and lays siege to Khandahar (see image) The first Pathan Key Settlement is captured.
Lt Col Lamb (4) forms a Column at Peshawar.
Gen Gaselee’s Column marches out of Nok Kundi, heads north and lays siege to Khandahar (see image) The first Pathan Key Settlement is captured.
Siege of Herat 1880
After unrest at Rawalpindi, Pathans take control of the settlement.
Gen Gaselee captures Lashkar on the march to Herat.
Gen Gaselee lays siege to Herat (see image) The second Pathan Key Settlement is now under British control.
After unrest at Rawalpindi, Pathans take control of the settlement.
Gen Gaselee captures Lashkar on the march to Herat.
Gen Gaselee lays siege to Herat (see image) The second Pathan Key Settlement is now under British control.
Siege of Samangan 1881
Gen Gaselee captures Sharon on the march to Samangan.
Gen Gaselee lays siege to Samangan (see image) The third Pathan Key Settlement is now under British control. Ahmed Khan’s revolt is quashed and the British win the war!
Gen Gaselee captures Sharon on the march to Samangan.
Gen Gaselee lays siege to Samangan (see image) The third Pathan Key Settlement is now under British control. Ahmed Khan’s revolt is quashed and the British win the war!
Many more interesting solitaire boardgames at: www.berserkergames.net
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