Battle Report: 5th January 1992 Early British Indian  ~vs~  Indian Mutineer (Robert Avery & Richard Avery ~vs~ Rupert Avery & Nog Norgren)

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Early British Indian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points    Commander-in-Chief 1         100    2inC 1         50 CinC 66th Foot 40 RegB 10x4 mlr (2 Co's LI)   516   Naval Brigade 24 RegB 8x3 mlr   320   17th Lancers 16 RegB 4x4 s, mlc, l   296   1st Battery RHA 3 RegB 3x1 medium mlsb HA   372 2inC 90th Foot 16 RegB 4x4 mlr   200   Highlanders 20 RegB 5x4 mlr   250   Rifles 8 LightsB 2x4 mlr   116   Dragoons 16 RegB 4x4 s, mlc   280   1st Battery RA 3 RegB 3x1 medium mlsb FA   297   Ammo Wagon 1          50                2850

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Indian Mutineer Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points CinC 1 100 2inC 1 50 Mutineers 1st Bttn 40 10x4 MilC mlr (2 co's LI) 436 (CinC) 2nd Bttn 40 10x4 MilC mlr (2 co's LI) 436   Lancers 10 2x5 MilC s,l   130   Dragoons 12 2x6 MilD s,mlc 164   Artillery 1 2 2x1 MilC medium mlsb FA 159 Artillery 2 1 1x1 MilC mountain gun   68 Tribal Tribesmen 1 36 1x36 FanC sp/sw,sh   231 Support Tribesmen 2 32 1x32 IrregC sp/sw,sh,sbm 175 (2inC) Tribesmen 3 32 1x32 IrregC sp/sw,sh,sbm   175   Horse 1 10 1x10 FanC sp/sw,sh, armour   135   Horse 2 10 1x10 FanC sp/sw,sh   115   Horse 3 10 1x10 IrregC sp/sw,sh,sbm   105   Guns 2 1x2 IrregC heavy mlsb FA  + elephant teams   291   Ammo Wagon 1          50                2850

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. Early British Indian Indian Mutineer Foot 2160 3600 Horse 640 1040 Guns 12 10

Report The British were out-scouted by the Indians, so were caught on the hop: dividing their force to stand on either side of a main road just before a crossroads sheltered by light woods and low hills. The Mutineers put their ex-Sepoys on the right flank, and their tribal support on the left. On the tribal left flank the British moved steadily forward with their infantry but sent the Dragoons rapidly towards the road parallel to their position. The Dragoons then charged: the very sight of them causing their tribal cavalry targets to rout off the field. Two squadrons of Dragoons were hit by artillery fire and forced to retreat, but the other two flank charged the fanatical tribesmen, causing them to rout, before having to retreat in turn themselves. On the other flank, the British infantry, behind a screen of Riflemen, advanced rapidly towards the Mutineer guns and, as the battle ended, were about to charge their shaken crews. In the centre of the battlefield, the British CinC placed himself at the head of the Lancers, and charged down the road cutting the field in half. The Lancers smashed the Mutineer Lancers from the field, and ended up behind the main Mutineer army. The danger that he and the Lancers presented caused the Sepoy battalion nearest them to form square, and the Sepoy CinC to retreat his guns. Once re-positioned, these wiped out two squadrons of Lancers, although the other two squadrons routed the Mutineer light infantry and mountain guns, before also being routed. As the British were now advancing across the whole front - the Sepoy square being routed by artillery, and a unit of tribesmen broken with the bayonet - the Mutineers realised that the day was lost...and ran for it! Casualties The British lost 3 squadrons of Lancers; 168 infantry; 118 Dragoons and 19 artillerymen: a total of 550 deaths. The 2inC died in a spectacular fashion. The Mutineers lost 142 sepoy cavalry; 215 sepoy infantry; 67 tribal horse; 183 tribal foot; and 50 artillerymen. This made a total of 650 casualties: although another 2300 were routing from the field! The Mutineer CinC was seriously wounded. Results A resounding victory for the British! Analysis An excellent battle lasting about four hours: the highlight of which was the death ride of the British Lancers through the centre of the Mutineer lines - sowing disorder and confusion throughout!