Battle of the North Road- a VSF battle report

The situation in the disputed zone between Teyrnas Caerellin and Al-Zafiran continues to deteriorate. Caerellian forces are escorting a column of settlers to establish a settlement near the proposed fort where the Kuna Creek flows into the Green Gorge. Expecting interference from the local Tama’Rin tribe, the escort is strong and ready for action.

Brigadier General Madoc Penrhyn leads Prince Taleisin's Light Infantry (PTLI), Arandor Native Auxiliaries, Free Crown Volunteers, Ladies Exploration Society Fencibles, Princess Morwenna’s Own Hussars.The Free Crown Volunteers, known as “The L:ibert Legion”, formed the close escort on the civilians a baggage while the Native Auxiliaries led the way in skirmish formation under Colonel Hugh Cracken. The PTLI followed just ahead of the civilians, with the Fencibles taking up the last position. The Hussars had been sent ahead to establish a safe camp for the night.


Fire soon erupted from ambushing tribesmen on the left flank. The force responded well, the Natives charging a small hill to defeat the first of the enemy in close combat but Colonel Cracken fell to an enemy dagger. The PTLI soon came under fire from a ramshackle building and a small field gun in the distance while the Volunteers skirmished along the road, screening the civilians.

Miss Eluned Pryce, noted field correspondent of the “The Caerellin Chronicle” and her photographer, Mrs. Brangwen “Branwen” Rhys-Davies, are attached to Captain- Miss Ceridwen Llewellyn’s Ladies Exploration Society Fencibles. The heroic news team captured the daring deeds of the Fencibles in text and photo fighting off the ambushers.

The firing soon became general and Brigadier Penryh ordered the troops to see the ambushers pushed out of range of the road and the damn cannon to be silenced. The Arandor Native Auxiliaries swept on to seize a second hill and overrun the gun, but suffered from enfilading fire during the daring attack. The Legion continued to skirmish in the center of the line as the Fencibles and PTLI prepared to attack the remaining enemy. Just as the attack would start, a second force of ambushers appeared on the far side of the road. Some fired on the column while two bands charged the thin Legion screen protecting the civilians and baggage.

This sneak attack could have been a disaster but the Fencibles and PTLI reacted with impressive martial discipline by about-face and firing on the enemy with great effect. The Volunteers faced off the charging enemy in hand to hand fighting under the inspired leadership of Commander Ross Poldark.


With this second attack beaten off, the remaining attackers slipped away into the hills and brush, leaving the column to take stock of losses.

Casualties:

PTLI: 4

Arandor Native Auxiliaries: 5 + Colonel Cracken killed in action

Free Crown Volunteers: 4

Ladies' Exploratory Society Fencibles: 1

Hussars (not engaged): 0

TOTAL: 15




Tribesmen and Al-Zafiran attackers: 32 plus the gun

Fencibles react to the attack at the end of the column

Volunteers skirmish and protect the civilians and baggage

PTLI and Natives react at the head of the column.

Cracken falls in the charge.

The initial ambush shock has subsided.

Fencibles clear a zeriba.

And start to close the gap in the column.

Arandor Natives charge the second hill and the enemy field gun that is firing on the PTLI with some effect. 

PTLI stand steady in the center under fire. 

The gun is taken at a cost. 

PTLI clear an area.

A dastardly ruse...a second attack from the other direction. 

Only a thin screen of the Free Crown Volunteers stands in the way.

Fencibles pull back to protect the column. 

The militia hold their own.

A confused melee in the center.

The Natives reorganize after seeing off the ambushers. 

The column is safe and can reorganize before moving into a safe camp up the road.