Clash In The 'Valley of the Kings'. (Part 1)

The Treborian scouting force comprising of the Hussars of Excellence and a gun move towards the road leading to the disputed territory .

The force of Hariboan Lancers and artillery move down the road from Ferraro Rochai .

And in the middle is an English tourist party comprising of H.G. Wells his 'travelling companion' Polly Perkins , famed writer Oscar Wild and the eminent archaeologist Sir Mortimer Weeler , who are inspecting the temple of Jove whilst a small crowd of locals look on at the foreigners and their steam carriage .

At this point a 'Chance card' was drawn .

- and applied to the Treborian artillery ,  who are delayed for two moves due to getting stuck in the mud .

The cavalry forces move forward and deploy , the locals scatter and the English tourists take shelter in the temple.

The Tourist party - left front H.G. Wells , left rear Miss Perkins , centre Sir Mortimer Weeler , right Mr Oscar Wild .

The next two photos were actually taken as the cavalry melees in front of the temple by the quick thinking of the aforesaid Miss Perkins who had the presence of mind to use her 'Box Browning' camera .

Although of poor quality due to the rapid movement of the combatants these are some of the earliest true combat photographs taken and congratulations must go to the member of the fairer sex for having the courage to take these photos .

The Hariboan Lancers are driven back by the elite Treborian cavalry .

As they retire their supporting Ferraro Rochain artillery opens fire , but causes no casualties .

The second shot went completely wild and landed near the Treborian artillery , but again caused no casualties.

Reinforcements move onto the table - for the Treborians its the Alicia Dragoons who dismount and open fire on the Ferraro Rochain Reservist Infantry unit as it moves over the hill .

One of the problems with using matchstick firing cannons inside on the wargaming table is that the matches/shells have a tendency to bounce all over the place so I decided to add some 'Bluetack' to the matches to aid accuracy , I wonder what the Geneva Convention will say about this devilish weapon of destruction !? . Part 2 off the battle to follow ......