Save the General's daughter - 25 February 1891, NWF Afghanistan

 

25 February 1891, NWF Afghanistan, General McGuinness is pushing his forces hard to reach the beleaguered garrison of Chitral Fort. The General has made many enemies as he cut his way through tribal territories. Chitrali spies in Peshawar have alerted the local mullah that the General's daughter was soon leaving Nowshera and will be accompanying a resupply column to an outpost protecting the Lowari Pass. Thus the Chitrali tribes have joined forces with Bunerwal tribesmen to set a trap for the invading infidels. General McGuinness' daughter, like many other Victorian ladies, lusted to see and experience the Frontier after hearing stories in the Officers Mess of gallant daring do and jingoistic heroics of her majesty's imperial troops. General McGuinness finally relented and let his daughter accompany the strong force marching to the Lowari Pass. On the 2nd day of the journey the force was tricked into thinking a friendly village was under attack. The troops in the overnight bivouac stood to and sent a recon force to the burning village. The Indian troops found no villagers present, alas they were attacked by hidden tribesmen in the perceived abandoned and burning village. After a fierce close quarters engagement the imperial troops forced the ambushers back, both sides suffering heavy losses. During this exchange the astute senior NCO RSM Hadji Singh sent a messenger to alert GHQ of the encounter and to send reinforcements! He then ordered the remaining troops to proceed to and garrison the small village, prepare defensive positions, and unpack the MG that had been brought with the force.

Captain Barrington Hawthorne Smyth, Queens 2nd Dragoon Guards, can you relieve the makeshift garrison and save General Horatio McGuinness' daughter Margaret Fitzpatrick McGuinness?

General McGuinness at GHQ Nowshera, NWF, Afghanistan. 

This scenario was unapologetically borrowed from my friend Andrew who'd sent it me many a year ago. I was setting up a scenario for our ongoing NWF Campaign and this fit the bill perfectly for the intrigue and drama I was looking for. I had to alter it of course, to suit the needs of our campaign and the current situation in my AO. 

Once I run the game this month the full scenario specs will be provided and posted here, I dare not post them pregame as the Afridi and Chitrali spies are EVERYWHERE! We cannot let down our guard or diligence for one moment lest the spies put a Choora in our backs or ambush a column of stalwart imperial troops. Never Trust Anyone on the Frontier, No one is safe on the Grim.