From the private memoirs of Colonel Charles Carruthers, Mummerset Light Infantry (“The Scrumpers”), Fort Syllabub, 18xx. “The revolt by the Rumpi Shah couldn’t have come at a worse time – not that there’s ever a good time for such things. Even without Lt Holdingham-Back playing hide-and-seek with the locals, Fort Syllabub’s garrison was severely understrength. […]
Category: North West Frontier
“Courageous Canyon Caper”
From the private memoires of Colonel Charles Carruthers, Mummerset Light Infantry (“The Scrumpers”), Fort Syllabub, 18xx. “Once clear of the ambush, Sgt Green took stock. Of Lt Holdingham-Back, there was no sign. It seemed that the tribesmen had snatched him, at the moment that his unit was shattered. Then they’d melted away, probably back to […]
“Perilous Polo Perfidy”
From the private memoirs of Colonel Charles Carruthers, Mummerset Light Infantry (“The Scrumpers”), Fort Syllabub, 18xx. “July is as hot and tiresome as ever. In an attempt to shift the irrepressible Lt. Holdingham-Back from under my feet, I sent him to scout the local valleys. I most definitely did not order him to start a […]
The Thin Khaki Line (Part 2)
In the first part of this (shockingly occasional) series, we saw my first Indian Army unit for the North West Frontier. I’ve now finished a second such unit, and have sufficient to play some games of “The Men Who Would Be Kings” (TMWWBK). It’s only taken two years… TMWWBK (to its friends) uses randomly generated […]
The Thin Khaki Line (Part 1)
So far, we’ve only seen one British unit, together with some characters – military or otherwise. A whole box of Perry British infantry still awaits my attention. Indeed, for Carry On Up The Khyber-ish games, I’m strongly tempted to add some kilted infantry (of the 3rd (Foot & Mouth) Regiment, a.k.a “The Devils in Skirts”) […]
Exploring Blotzistan
I should start by admitting that I’m not really creating an Imagi-Nation called “Blotzistan” – nor will my next skirmish wargame be a giant game of hide-and-seek. (Although, that does give me an idea for a scenario…) However, I have indeed recently painted a few more buildings from Blotz, and have one of their walled […]
A Slow Return from the North West Frontier
I more than hinted that this post would be about “The Silver Bayonet”… and it’s not. I am indeed quietly painting for that game in the background: my Officer, a motley collection of supporting cast, and some monsters. However, I finished the previous post with quite a few “part-painted” North West Frontier figures, and decided […]
Building the Frontier
In the previous post, I said that I’d talk a little about the extra terrain pieces – rocky outcrops, sangars – that I’d completed in time for the “Rascally Rifle Robbery”. A work-in-progress photo will hopefully help to illustrate the process. As usual, the bases are 6mm MDF: cut to shape, then the edges chamfered […]
“Rascally Rifle Robbery”
From the private memoirs of Colonel Charles Carruthers, Mummerset Light Infantry (“The Scrumpers”), Fort Syllabub, 18xx. “June has brought reinforcements, and a new officer. Lawrence Holdingham-Back is not, he tells me, himself a Mummerset-born man, but a recent transfer into the regiment. He proudly hinted that he’d ‘pulled strings, to be able to serve where […]
Pathan Progress 3
After many weeks, multiple side projects/distractions and not a few excuses, we’re back to the North West Frontier! The focus of the last fortnight has been to finish some units – “finish” in the sense of being ready to use in games of “The Men Who Would Be Kings” (TMWWBK). That means 12 – or […]
Despatches from Fort Syllabub 