The Relief of Fort Ookinall (2)

The column has pushed ever deeper into the mountains of the Ilkestaan region of the North West Frontier. Much of the journey has been uneventful, two days ago a scouting company briefly joined the column but has now departed with no enemy sighted.
Fort Ookinall is now but a day's march away. Nothing has been heard from the garrison so it is imperative the column pushes on. However soon after breaking camp movement in the hills is spotted and the column is forced to deploy to fight.

The mountain gun is rapidly assembled and prepares to offer covering fire.

Suddenly the second company is assailed by a hitherto unseen enemy.

And the Dilshad Rifles spot enemy in the distance.

The Dilshads and the 1st Co. have pushed up but the 2nd Co. are under pressure.

Suddenly more Pathans appear from the woods

And thunder in to the 1st Co.

The 2nd Co. having seen off the enemy riflemen are faced with sword armed tribesmen.

"Hold steady until I give the word, lads!"

However the tribesmen fell on them before the word could be given.

Fortunately stout British hearts and strong Sheffield steel saw the Pathans off with minimal casualties.

From this point the British resorted to their superior firepower to see off the piecemeal attacks of thee Pathans and Al-Bhabij soon slunk off to fight another day.

A fun little fight, but one where my dice favoured the British and so it turned into something of  turkey shoot. The few times the Afghans made it into combat saw fortunate British roles see them off.

Now, onwards to relive the fort!