"Vehicles on the Grim 1920's" Topic

Hello TMP'ers, I'm looking into starting a 1920-1930's NWF project. What I need at the moment is photographic references or links to references on the vehicles like trucks, command vehicles, and armored cars used by the Anglo-Indian forces on the NWF in the 1920's and maybe even the 1930's. Any assistance would be most appreciated!

Cheers,
JB
sgtguinness.blogspot.com

I have gamed the Third Anglo Afghan War using TSATF. One scenario had an armoured car being ambushed in a road block. But the more I read about the war, the more it sounded like the vehicles were left on the plains and that the real fighting was done, as before, with horses, mules and boots.

I have not researched this era, but I would think that anything that was there was likely leftovers from World War I. I wouldn't think that much of any new equipment would've been sent out to the NW Frontier or any other Colonial setting.

The Brits did send a fair number of armoued cars to India – the Royal Tank Corps had a number of Armoured Car companies that were sent to serve, mostly with Rolls Royce AC's but they also had some Austins and Jeffrey-Russel cars as well

link

Also in the 1930's the Brits deployed some MkII light tanks that apparently were fairly useful

link

Jeff,

You may have seen this post 5 years ago when it was first put up on Juan Mancheno's "Waziristan on a Fancy" blog, but even if that's the case it might still be worth revisiting. It's got some good info and period photos of a few different armored vehicles in Afghanistan in the post-WWI era…

link

Here's a pic showing a modern Afghan posing with an FT17 tank in Kabul:

PS Jeff, are you going to use those Empress "Jazz Age Imperialism" figures? They look pretty awesome.

Hi Ethan, thanks for the link. Yes, I had seen that but will most definitely check it out again. Thank you for the reminder! Yes, I'm going to add a few of those figs to each unit of my Pathan fire armed units. I plan to have Pathan units mixed with jezzails, Martinis, and Enfield's.

Nick, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Nothing happens without "Boots on the ground"! Thank you.

Frederick, thank you for that awesome link, invaluable data!

Fitzovich, that makes sense. I'm looking for the trucks now as I've been advised of and discovered what armored cars were deployed. I'm
Going to alter some Matchbox toys of yesteryear vehicles. But first I need to finish some really cool 40 LBR guns and Limbers that I got from my buddy Rhingyll for my 2nd Afghan war project.

Thanks guys!
JB

Reading "Bugles and a Tiger" by John Masters, he describes his service with the 4th Prince of Wales Own Gurkhas on the frontier in the 1930's. Aside from the more powerful weapons, it sounds almost exactly like fighting in 1890's or even the 1860's.

Nick, thank you for the post and good to hear from you! I will pick that one up. I imagined it as such and am looking forward to reading this book. I've since purchased several Matchbox and Corgi type cars and vehicles from the early 1900's to convert to British vehicles on The Grim. Also my buddy printed me up some very nice Rolls Royce and Crosley Armored cars in 25/28mm that will be perfect as well as scaling up to match my Matchbox and Corgi vehicles. I'll post pics of the kits.
Thanks again, Cheers,
JB

Jeff, I bought a model of a British WW1 bomber with the intention of running a "Handley Page V/1500 Down" game set during the 3rd Afghan War.

From Wikipedia: On 25 May 1919, flying from Risalpur piloted by Captain Halley and with Lt E. Villiers as observer, the V/1500 reached Kabul in three hours. Of its payload of four 112 lb (51 kg) bombs on improvised bomb racks removed from B.E.2cs and 16 20 lb (10 kg) bombs carried in the fuselage and dropped by hand, four bombs hit the royal palace. Although the bombing did little physical damage, it had a great psychological impact on the citizens – the ladies of the royal harem rushed onto the streets in terror, causing great scandal. A few days later King Amanullah sued for peace, bringing an end to the war after less than one month of hostilities.

The RAF also used the De Havilland Airco DH9A and 10A extensively.

Nick, I love the way you think buddy! I shall file that scenario away for future use as well…. Please do send me the scenario once you've done it.

I picked up a couple of pre made WWI airplane kits about a year or two ago for use on The Grim. I think they will fit the bill.

Great scenario possibilities, one flying column of armored cars and trucks and another of cavalry backed by Gurkhas and Sikhs.

Cheers,
JB