टूटे हुए फालान्जियों पर लड़ाई

This week's offering from GHQ, continuing the games set in the sub continent theme, is an Indian Mutiny encounter near the fictional village of Phalanjees. Lord Rawnsley is leading his forces ever onward towards the relief of Bhyklabad when he finds his advanced blocked by a Mutineer army, shored up by the household forces of the Raja of Rhanzlistan, the ever disloyal Bhurpa hill tribe and various Badmash bands. Rawnsley's force must be checked or the mutineers must be broken before night falls - Turn 12 to you and me. As ever now an annotated photomontage which I trust will carry the reader down amongst the action ~

The Mutineer forces, supported by their rag-tag band of allies, block Lord Rawnsley's path to relief of the siege of Bhyklabad.

Lord Rawnsley deploys his forces determined to drive the mutineers from the field and open the roD to Bhyklabad.

The right is formed from his small cavalry arm, Lancers and Guided, supported by a battery of the RHA.

The four small Brigades of infantry are in the centre, Native and H.E.I.C. troops in advance of the Regulars.

Lord Rawnsley himself leads the right flank of Heavy artillery, supported by Hussars and elephant borne Regular infantry.

On the Mutineer left are the Raja of Rhanzlistan's contingent, comprised of his mounted and foot Household Guards, his Elephants and the 'Great Gun of Bhyklabad'.

The fierce Bhurpa hill tribesmen have come to the aid of the Mutineers, fielding two foot and one mounted group of warriors. While the local population has roused itself into two groups armed only with spear or sword!

The main Mutineer forces of two sepoy infantry brigades, supported by two batteries of artillery and remnants of a sepoy cavalry regiment take the right, hoping to swing around and sweep Rawnsley's force from the field of battle.

The sepoy artillery hurriedly prepares to open fire on Rawnsley's advancing forces!

The Raja of Rhanzlistan orders the 'Great Gun Of Bhyklabad' to open fire in their support while his Household troops nervously await their orders!

Ever anxious for the fight the whole Bhurpa contingent closes with the enemy! These fierce warriors will surely terrorise Rawnsley's loyal sepoys and H.E.I.C. European regiments leading his attack! 

Bhurpas and Badmash charge home against the H.E.I.C.'s European regiments! Caught in column their closing fire fails to stagger their foe, so it's down to the bayonet!

The Badmash cannot stand the cold steel. Indeed you might be forgiven for saying that "They don't like it up 'em!" The Bhurpas are more resilient of course and meet steel with steel of their own.

The H.E.I.C. Europeans reform quickly having seen off the leading horde of Badmash as their fellows continue to struggle with the fierce Bhurpa warriors.

While that combat continues in the centre more Badmash surge forward against the reforming Europeans. Rawnsley is quick to spot the Raja's infantry advancing on their flank and orders forward the first of his regulars.

The second Badmash horde fare no better than their fellows and are driven off in route! The Bhurpas are broken too though the mounted warriors can hurry to fill the gap!

The Lancers were hesitant to charge the sepoy infantry lines. Their fate was to be raked by artillery and musket fire which shattered their morale.

Meanwhile, the Raja's infantry have been driven back in Disorder, their morale almost broken!

The infantry so far engaged from Rawnsley's force must rally from their combat losses while fresh troops take the brunt of the next Mutineer assault. The Highlanders shake out into line and their volleys shake the resolve of the Bhurpas!

Rawnsley's heavy artillery have finally come in to action and begin to engage with the 'Great Gun of Bhyklabad'.

The Highlanders volleys have shattered the remaining Bhurpa warriors band and the centre of Rawnsley's attack is stabilised now.

As they reform and regroup the sepoy Mutineer infantry begin to advance on the right, their plan to turn the enemy flank and roll up Rawnsley's attackers 

The Raja's infantry having rallied and reformed again advance to block the enemy advance. They find their flank unexpectedly exposed to some Hussars with fatal consequences...

From behind the Mutineer centre you can see the attack getting underway despite the threat posed by the Guides on their right 

On the Mutineer left things are unraveling slowly with the Raja's infantry once more repulsed. The crew of the Great Gun manhandle it round to provide some support.

While things are far from positive on the Mutineer left away on their right the situation is developing in their favour.

They may yet succeed in turning Rawnsley's flank with a determined advance.

For Lord Rawnsley the situation seems grave. Despite successes on his right and consolidation in his centre his left is under great pressure and may yet give way.

Despite losses, after heavy fighting the Gurkhas and European infantry finally destroy the remaining Irregulars holding the Mutineer centre.

The Mutineer left and centre has finally broken! The road to Bhyklabad is open to Rawnsley. Despite some success on their right the Sepoys must break off their attempt to turn Rawnsley's left flank as the army morale has Broken. They live to fight another day!

All up for my force in Turn 7, despite it all looking so promising in Turn 6! That's the joy and pain in Black Powder and why Phil and I like it so much. Next week hopefully we advance to the early 1920's and see Brigadier 'Tubby' Bykleigh confront those wiley Bhurpas and their Soviet allies under Robinski as a new campaigning season opens in Rhanzlistan.