THE ESCAPE OF THE REGENT
Scenario
This scenario is a night action that represents the escape of
the Regent through the streets of Baghdad to the British Embassy at the
beginning of hostilities in Iraq 1941.
The police patrols may be programmed or card driven and so this action
lends itself to solo play or a role play.
It can even be run as a Pulp adventure if desired where the free gaming
style would be admirably suited to this "cloak and dagger" action.
Introduction
The Golden Square of four Iraqi senior officers staged a coup and appointed Rashid Ali as Prime Minister early in 1941 deposing the Regent. Relations deteriorated with Britain which had 2 airbases in the country; at Habbaniya and Shaiba. These bases were important staging points on the Line of Communication to India. The relationships deteriorated further when the British landed an Indian Infantry Brigade in Basra to secure the base area there. The Iraqi government re-opened diplomatic relations with Germany through the Italian Embassy with whom they had maintained relations despite Britain and Italy being at war. There was a very real danger that the Germans might seek to increase their influence in the region through pro-German Vichy Syria. The British were told that they were to land no more troops until the first brigade had passed through - a clear breach of the treaty obligations. The landing of a second Brigade from India a few days later brought matters to new stage and military action seemed inevitable.
The Golden Square intended to arrest the Regent on 1 April.
He received word that this is about to happen and resolved to escape to
the British Embassy on the other side of the Tigris.
Ground
The City of Baghdad is divided by the
River Tigris. On the East bank is
the old town. The table is
dominated by the large palace has its own set of walls on the outskirts of the
city and contains royal apartments, government buildings, various large
religious structures, colleges, libraries and parks.
These are surrounded by open parkland dotted with tree lined avenues and
shady groves. Once in the city the
terrain becomes a maze of large town houses, shops, hotels and the like.
Simplify the map of Baghdad to suit your table layout.
By the river is the British Embassy.
The river is crossed by two bridges roughly equidistant north and south
of the Embassy. The Embassy is also
surrounded by a wall.
Both forces are preparing for the arrest.
The police have their normal patrols out.
Generally this comprised pairs or fours of policemen patrolling the
streets. The arresting force is to
be composed of Iraqi troops loyal to the Golden Square. The action starts just
after midnight with Government patrols in the city and the Regent preparing to
escape.
Regent’s Briefing
Mission: To
escape to the British Embassy
British Force Briefing
The British are best played by the umpire or another player,
though they will not have much to do.
Mission: To
protect the Embassy and prevent interlopers gaining access.
Execution: You
represent the night guard of the Embassy, an NCO in the British Army with 4
soldiers. One is on guard at the
gate and the others are in the guard room.
Every so often you send the Lance Corporal and a Private on a perimeter
patrol. All are armed with rifles
with 10 rounds of ammunition. A box
in the Guard room contains a further 100 rounds.
The Guard room has two cells and a telephone connected to the Duty
Officer.
Playing the Game
Set out the table so that there are no direct routes from the
palace to the Embassy. You may
place boats at the side of the river which should be very wide.
Swimming in it is not an option.
Also set out civilians where they can be seen by the patrols and remove
them once they are out of site.
If there additional players then they should represent the
police patrols.
The Regent sets the time of his escape, marks his proposed
route(s) on a map and the game starts when his first party starts to move.
He may employ any disguises as required.
The Police patrols are deployed according to the orders
written by the Chief of police. Any
without orders are in the police barracks in the palace area and are deemed off
duty and asleep. Once alerted they
take D6+2 turns to get ready to leave the barracks.
If both players select the same civilian then the figure is a
"double agent".
The streets have a number of groups of innocent civilians, a
few beggars, informants (both sides), merchants, street cafes etc.
The only figures required are those that are within sight of a player's
party.
Informants will reveal to their own side the strength and
direction of any suspicious groups that they are asked about.
They may attempt to mislead the opposition.
They will be vague about timings.
Any citizen may be questioned and will co-operate with the
police depending upon their role within the scenario.
They may give accurate, inaccurate, helpful, confusing or misleading
information.
The Regent must first get out of the palace and then cross
the city to the British Embassy. He
will need to prepare a plan but cannot communicate with the British by telephone
in case the operator listens in.
The British will not shoot anyone without first challenging
them to halt. If they do not a
warning shot will be fired and after that they may be shot.
If they halt they will be arrested and the Duty Officer informed.
Winning the Game
The British lose if there is a diplomatic incident without the
Regent making it to the Embassy.
The Regent wins if he reaches safety in the British Embassy.
Any other result is a draw.
Notes
There is ample scope for role playing in this scenario with
players and umpire taking on roles and trying to bluff their opponents.
The Regent made his escape disguised as a woman, possibly
wearing a burqa to the American Lregation.
He later made his way to RAF Habbaniya hidden by being wrapped in a
carpet in a car. He then was
transported by air to Basra and thence onto a RN ship.
Sources of Figures and Models
The
Regent and other Arab civilians in 20mm are available from RH Models, B&B
Miniatures or by conversion.