The Battle of Kempshott Drift

In a rare outbreak of cooperation, the Freedonian and Silvania Armies had set up a joint logistics effort for a campaign against the troublesome hill tribes of Clewgistan.  This base was a small village near the strategic river crossing of Kempshott Drift.

The ammunition depot, and wagons were getting ready to move when scouts reported a shocking development, a strong force of the Bosrovian Army was approaching the drift.  The Bosrovians, whilst not formally at war with either Freedonia or Silvania, claims that it has a legitimate national interest in Clewgistan, and claims good diplomatic relations with the Maharaja of Clewgistan.   Freedonia also claims good relations with the  Maharaja, but,as is common in Clewgistan, political loyalties and the internal balance of power are famously..er..flexible.

The enigmatic Maharaja of Clewgistan

The Bosrovians were clearly looking to conduct some unashamed looting at the expense of Silvania, and had therefore launched this surprise attack.

The depot at Kempshott Drift.

The forces defending the depot were commanded by Brigadier-General Tankerville
1 Regiment of Silvania Shock Guards
1 Regiment of Silvanian Assault Infantry
2 Silvanian guns
1 Regiment of Freedonian Presidential Guard
1 Regiment of Freedonian Militia
1 Freedonian Naval Landing Party
3 Freedonian guns
The Freedonian Presidential band and transport corps
With the depot were four transport wagons and a medical wagon belonging to the Mobile Army Medical Yeomanry

The Bosrovian raiding force consisted of
3 regiments of steely-eyed Bosrvian infantry
1 regiment of Bosrovian cavalry
2 field guns
The Bosrovian National Military Band

The Bosrovian Raiding Force prepared for action.

...And, much to everyone's surprise, a Bosrovian secret weapon was unveiled - namely Big Bessie the Bosrovian Bombard!

Big Bessie the Bosrovian Bombard

Not content with their own forces, the Bosrovians had engaged the services of a private military contractor from the Grand Duchy of Glevum.
The Grand Duchy forces, led by Colonel Asnac, comprised of:
3 regiments of surly mercenary infantry
2 regiments of murderous mercenary cavalry
1 gun.

Private military contractors from the Grand Duchy of Glevum

The Freedonians and Silvanians quickly deployed to cover the depot from the coming onslaught, with the Navy in reserve.

Spurred on by the prospect of loot, the Glevum mercenaries were quick to start threatening the left flank of the Freedonian position

The gallant Freedonian militia quickly turn to face the enemy cavalry, with the Naval party moving up from reserve.

The Glevum cavalry are unconcerned and continue their assault on the flank.

..and supporting their attack is a withering fire from the Bosrovia artillery

While the huge Bessie the Big Bosrovian Bombard kept up fire on innocent civilian wagon drivers with great big heavy shells...

The militia keep up a hot fire of their own on the incoming cavalry, and ready themselves for impact.

...backed up by the resolute naval types...

 Within a very short time, the enemy cavalry reached the Freedonian line and crashed in on their positions..

The Glevem mercenaries hit the Freedonian militia, leaving the path o their advance strewn with their dead...

The militia were overwhelmed by the fierce attack from the massed Glevum Cavalry, and withdrew rapidly, covered by the stout sailors of the Freedonian Navy.

In the centre, from the roof of his command car, Brigadier General Tankerville looks on with concern at the crisis on the left flank.

 While the massive cavalry attack on the left was takin gplace, the Bosrovian cavary started their assault on the right flank - faced by the brave, but overmatched Silvanian infantry.

Hard fightin a melee between the Bosrovian Cavalry and th Silvanian Infantry

Back at the left flank, the saliers fail to stop the tidal wave of enemy cavalry, and commandeering a wagon, and the remnants of the militia regiment formed a last ditch redoubt.

The view of the oncoming Glevum cavalry from the final Freedonian defence position.

 Brigadier-General Tankerville quickly turned the Guard to protect the threatened flank, and their artillery helped to save the day

Guard artillery doing their bit for the defence.

Relentless bombardments from the Bosrovian and Glevem positions were increasingly taking their toll.

Meanwhile the Gleveum mercenary infantry advance relentlessly on the tiny band of gallant survivors.

...and on the centre and  right, the Bosrovian infantry make their steady advance, constantly supported by their guns

 The losses from the cavalry attacks, together with the heavy bombardment , and the approaching waves of infantry led General Tankerville to take the courageous decision to order the evacuation of the survivong wagons, protected by the surviving infantry.

General retreat

Gleveum infantry press the rearguard as the wagons retreat int he distance.

The outcome was the loss of large stocks of ammunition to the Grand Duchy (who will no doubt sell it back to Freedonia on the black market).
The battle of Kempshott Drift was not a good day for either Silvania or Freedonia.