Several ideas for actions in and around Tibet in the early part of the 20th century
Presented by Chuck Turnitsa for playtest (08/2002)
Most of the information presented here is inspired by the readings in Peter Hopkirk's book, "Trespassers on the Roof of the World" (1982). I usually hate being a "one book wonder" on a history subject, however Peter Hopkirk is such a consumate author on things dealing with 19th and early 20th century Century Asia, that I don't feel it to be a poor start.
This information (and the scenario material presented below) is inspired by Francis Younghusband's expedition first to Gyantse, and then to Lhasa in 1904. The British troops would be treated as standard Imperial British troops from TSATF, being primarily Sikhs, Ghurkas, Fusiliers, and some Maxims. There were also field guns and mounted infantry present, yet I didn't include them in the "inspired" scenarios below, they being too unbalancing.
I hope to find a copy of Younghusband's book about the expedition, and I continue to do more research, yet I believe that my next topic will be the Tibet revolt against occupation in 1918 (at that time, they have allied with the British, and the Tibetan army is under command of British officers).
I have proposed several special rules to deal with the Tibetan army of 1904, listed below. Following that are key game charts.
|
The Sword in Tibet Close Combat Chart | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Troop Type | Charging in Close or Mass |
Defending in Close or Road Col. |
Defending in Square |
On Top Wall or Barricade |
Defending Building or Fort |
Regular Cavalry Mounted |
Boer, Colonial Mounted |
Native Horse Mounted |
Camel Mounted |
All Leaders |
All Mounted Leaders |
Tibetan | Wins Ties | -- | -- | die | +1 | -- | -- | +1 | -- | +1 | +1 |
Khampo | +1; Wins Ties | -- | -- | die | +1 | -- | -- | +1 | -- | +1 | +2 |
The Sword in Tibet - Morale Chart | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Major Morale (2d6) | Critical & Pinned (2d6) | Rally (1d6) | Complete the Charge (1d6) |
Stand and Fight (1d6) |
|||||
With Leader | No Leader | With Leader | No Leader | With Leader | No Leader | With Leader | No Leader | ||
Tibetan | 2-6 | 2-7 | 2-6 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 1-4 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 1-2 |
Khampo | 2-7 | 2-7 | 2-6 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 1-5 | 1-3 | 1-4 | 1-3 |
Lama - Any unit with a Lama attached will increase the above "With Leader" numbers by +1 in all cases |
Scenario Ideas
As I mentioned above, these are inspired by the actual battles that Younghusband's force fought on the way to Gyantse and then Lhasa. They have been scaled back to suit TSATF, and some liberties have been taken with troop compositions to make for (what I hope to be) a better game.
The British forces move on the south table edge on the first turn, their goal is to force the Tibetans from the field, they block the way the column needs to proceed. Historically, the Ghurkas went through the Rough rocky area, the Sikhs proceeded right up to the wall, before firing, and the Maxim gun got into a supporting position on the right hand side of the wall.
The British forces move on the south table edge on the first turn, their goal is to force the Tibetans from the pass, they block the way the column needs to proceed. Historically, the Ghurkas scaled the western Hill, and 1 platoon of Sikhs scaled the eastern hill. Captain Bethune with the second platoon of Sikhs charged the wall, and was killed in the action.
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