Indian Mutiny - Siege of Delhi, 1857 - Assault on the Kashmir Gate

In this entertaining refight, representing the assault on the Kashmir Gate during the Siege of Delhi in 1857, the British had good fortune to blow the gate with barrels of gunpowder (killing one of the brave soldiers in the process). They were also able to create a breach in a nearby section of Delhi's walls. This enabled the two columns to rush forward into the breaches and fight their way through the narrow streets of Old Deli. 

There was a disgraceful episode when a regular regiment of British infantry - the 75th Foot - routed in the face of marauding Mutineers! Fortunately, the Mutiny hero, Brigadier Major Nicholson, was able to rally the regiment and bring them back into the fray. Other than that, the hordes of rebellious mutineers almost overcame the assaulting columns, but robust stances by the 1st Bengal Fusiliers, and the loyal Gurkhas, managed to hold their nerve and see off disorganised rabble to recapture the city.

This was a similar outcome to the historical battle. The charismatic Nicholson survived the refight, but unfortunately was mortally wounded in the actual battle.

Nicholson statue in Lisburn, Northern Ireland

Monday Games - Flames of War and Rebels & Patriots 'The War of 1812'

 A couple of interesting games were hosted on Monday night:

WWII Burma - "The Race to Rangoon"

The XIVth Army race to clear the battlefield of diehard Japanese defenders and make their way to Rangoon, for a well deserved Scotch and Soda, before closing time at the bar of the Strand Hotel (if the Japanese haven't destroyed the famous hostelry during their dastardly occupation!).

Despite losing a Lee tank to a well dug-in Chi-Ha, and an India Pattern Carrier to a well placed 47mm A/T gun, the British kept their cool and winkled out the Japanese defenders, helped by the fact that the Japanese were prone to launching suicidal Banzai charges, rather than holding their defensive their positions.

Wild West Shoot Out

A couple of high rollin', hard drinkin', gun slingin' gangs of assorted desperados and ne'er-do-wells, fight it out for the dubious prize of being the quickest gun hands in the West.

Rules used were 'Dead Man's Hand', which seemed to provide a fun narrative game, which I am sure we will be playing again soon.