The Battle of Zom Kehl, 1761 - AAR

In a continuing series of mid 18th century clashes played remotely with the Rejects, this instalment took us to the struggle for control in the Indian sub-continent and a fictional encounter between the two aspiring European powers.

The players were sent the following blurb and map.

"Whilst the British and French battle over control of the New World and compete on continental Europe, the forces driving British and French interests in the sub-continent are contesting for control and influence.  You are all converging near the hills around Zom Kehl.  The fight for the destiny of central India is about to be fought.
"Victory goes to the side that can force the other to retire."

The game would be played with my hex adapted version of Koenig Krieg.

The Armies

The British - led by Steve and Jon
1st Infantry Brigade - 2 units of Rajput and 2 units of Levies.
2nd Infantry Brigade - 1 European Foot, 1 Sepoy, 1 Levy and 1 artillery.
3rd Infantry Brigade - 1 European Foot, 1 Sepoy, 1 Rajput and 1 artillery.
1st Cavalry Brigade - 1 European L.Cavalry and 1 Rajput heavy cavalry
Independent Skirmish Units - Mahratta Skirmish Cavalry

The French - led by Ray and Dan
1st Infantry Brigade - 1 European Ft, 1 Sikh Levy, 2 Mysore Infantry and 1 artillery.
2nd Infantry Brigade - 2 Sikh Levies, 2 Sepoys and 1 artillery.
1st Cavalry Brigade - 2 units of European Hussars.
2nd Cavalry Brigade - 1 Mysore L.Cavalry.
Independent Skirmish Units - 1 unit of native infantry levies and 2 units of Mogul cavalry.

With a lot of irregular and low quality troops, plus cavalry who can shot from the saddle, this was shaping up to be an intriguing encounter.

Deployment

The armies were constructed by Ray and Steve from army lists I supplied.  They were also responsible for their deployment on the map, which was as follows:

The Battle

The British quickly advanced all along the line.  The French advance was a little more measured with their formed cavalry swinging to cover the western flank (concern about the upcoming artillery seemed uppermost in their mind) and the skirmishing Mogul cavalry racing around on the eastern.

The French quickly pushed their native levies through the woods to harass the British Sepoys.  But having attracted their attention, the Sepoy and Rajpat units turned their ire on them.

A swift charge and overwhelming numbers proved to be just enough to dislodge the French levies and send them running.

With this initial success, the British commanders swung their mounted brigade round their flank, whilst their Mahratta skirmish cavalry started operating a hit and run tactic in the centre.  Successfully forcing a unit of Sikh levies to retire from their shooting.
Along the line the infantry continued to close as French Moguls began their harrying of the British flank.

Infantry and artillery opened up, inflicting casualties.  One Mogul unit retired after receiving a volley just as the British Mahrattas continued its hit and run promenade in the centre.
However, the action was about to get up close and personal on the western flank as the French suddenly felt emboldened to take the fight to the British.

With commanders attached and committed, the French charged with Hussars and Mysore light cavalry against the heavier British Rajput cavalry.

In this unequal contest, numbers overwhelmed weight.  With heavy losses the Rajputs were thrown backwards.

The French were quick to exploit the situation to crash into the British Hussars....

... who also took a pounding and were compelled to follow their fellow Rajputs in retreat.  However, the French Mysore cavalry was now out of control and ignored the rest of the fight.  Nonetheless, the French Hussars saw the rear of the Rajputs and put the remnant to the sword.

The situation across the battlefield.  

Seeing an opportunity to remove the British cavalry threat from the west, the French commanders manoeuvred their cavalry to confront the last of the British Hussars.
On the eastern flank, the Moguls continued to harass the British.  However, the infantry began to close.  With artillery and muskets firing, morale along the line was being tested.  All managed to stand except a French native unit.

Seeing the imminent danger the British Hussars swung round.  However, the French caught them with their charge.
Now you see them...

... now you don't!

With French cavalry success on the western flank, their hopes now turned to the east.  However, their European foot unit was cut to shreds and forced to retreat from the British European line and native units.
With their backs now to the British, the victorious troops pursued...

... and annihilated the fleeing French.

With honours seemingly even, both armies were beginning to show signs of wavering.

The French army's countdown clock was on minus 3.  At zero, an army has to take a morale check.  Four and under to pass.  For every minus on the clock there is a minus on the morale check.  The French needed to roll a one... they rolled a two!

So, victory to the British.

Afterthoughts

An interesting encounter with both sides rather unsure about how best to play their armies.  They would probably know for next time... perhaps!

With so many low grade irregular troops on both sides prone to morale checks with every hit, the battle could well be influenced by the side whose morale held better.  In this case, it was the French who saw more of their troops retiring from enemy shooting.  With equal numbers of units destroyed in melee, this was critical.  Plus, the French cavalry commander was never able to regain command of his Mysore cavalry - which ran off in search of baggage.  These all weakened the French army morale faster and further than the British, who themselves were down to 1 on the clock!

A close and tightly fought battle.