Indian Unity, a summary of PG's treatment of the "Happy War"

[Matt W]

No, really, the subjugation of Hyderabad by India in 1948, in what is also known as "The Hundred Hour's War" signifying its actual duration or "Operation Polo" due to the concentration of polo grounds within the state of Hyderabad, is still today known in India as the Happy War. Nearly 250,000 men were mustered by Hyderabad in regular and irregular units to fight in the war and I doubt that their performance or the result of the war left them very happy. We must remember, however, that history is written by the victors...

The war resulted from a disconnect between the composition of the Hyderabadi armed forces and government (primarily Muslim and desirous of union with Pakistan) and the general population (primarily Hindu and desirous of union with India). The Nizam was the prince of Hyderabad and desired Hyderabad to be an independent nation which geographically would have been surrounded by Indian states. India, still technically at war with Muslim Pakistan and expectant of continued hot or lukewarm war with that nation would not agree to an independent Hyderabad with its government in sympathy iwth Pakistan within its borders. Hyderabad hardly helped the situation through its public statements. Consider this one from the Hyderabadi prime minister:

"India thinks that if Pakistan attacks her, Hyderabad will stab her in the back. I am not so sure we would not."

The Muslim militias known collectively as Razakars (see Hyderabad's library page for an enjoyable image on the appearance of one such unit) were following the time honored subcontinental tradition of fostering riots within Hyderabad to keep pressure on the Nizam to push for independence. The Razakars, had very few modern weapons but went to their riots with a melange of a few modern rifles, muzzle loaders and nasty looking swords. The whole thing spun out of control when the militias decided to take the riots into Indian provinces.

Scenario 1 - Provocation

The Razakars, poorly led and with inferior morale, attack a police outpost in a village in India, sparking the Happy War. With vitually no firepower and absolutely no heavy weapons, they stand little chance of a victory. If you have played with political troops in other scenarios (most notably those in Hopeless, but not Serious) you will understand the limitations of such forces, made even more stark here due to the lack of all heavy weapons. Of some historical value is the understanding that this farce led to the ultimate destruction of the state they were looking to create. Irony hangs heavy over the entire supplement but never as heavily as in Scenario 1.

Scenario 2 - Over the Line

Despite their tremendous lack of modern weaponry in general the Hyderabadis did field some of the best armored cavalry units within the WW II Indian army contingents (the Hyderabad Lancers). They make their appearance in this scenario. The situation is actually a follow up to the action in Scenario 1 as the "rescue" force that comes to the aid of the Indian village's police chases the Razakars into Hyderabad and runs into Hyderabadi regular forces, starting the formal portion of the war. The Indian force is undermanned for the task they have and despite a morale superiority will have a tough time winning this scenario.

Scenario 3 - Naldurg Fort

A week after the Indian forces stumbled into the Hyderabadi regulars, the clock starts on the Hundred Hour's War with this action. The Indians have to charge across two boards crossing a river and taking a large fort very near a mined bridge. The Hyderabadis have a comic opera chance to blow the bridge (if they do the Hyderabadis will almost certainly win the scenario) as a good order leader standing on the bridge will have to be able to see the onrushing Indian forces. Since the vast majority of the scenario occurs prior to daybreak you can see that the provision that the leader must be able to "see" the Indian forces directly will create some tension as the Indians will shortly make sure that he is "not good order" This is a very fun little scenario and one which I, as the Hyderabadis commander botched soemwhat and still almost won.

Scenario 4 - Hyderabad Lancers

Returning to the scene of Scenario 2, the Indians have a much larger force but similar objectives. The Hyderabadis still have lousy morale but have a large number of armored cars which will give the Indian player fits in this one and one 17 pdr which will shred the Shermans if you get the chance to shoot. Adding to the fun, the Indians have to advance through a heavily wooded area which is just loaded with hidden Razakars. Lots of surprises here!

Scenario 5 - The Sugar Factory

Brigadier Bal of the Indian Army commanded troops to the south of Hyderabad and chafed at the order to stay clear of action as the front was strategically unimportant to the Hyderabadis, winning or losing here would have no projected impact on the surrender of Hyderabad. No one wants to be told that they don't matter so Brigadier Bal sent his mess of infantry and cavalry and a train forward to cross the river. At this point, however, the Razakars realize that their future is dependent on the war and their morale improves. The impact on this and all following scenarios is dramatic. The presence of Razakars, which previously was merely annoying to the Indian player is now signficant as it will deny morale superiority in assaults.

This scenario is a nasty close order battle and fun as a result.

Scenario 6 - Tuljapur Ridge

Having lost the fort in Scenario 4 the Hyderabadis have fallen back to a hilltop town and have set up defenses there. The goal of the Indians is to clear them off the hill and town, to clear the road across the hill and avoid losses. Our play was very close, coming down to some morale recoveries to secure the victory for the Hyderabadis. Another nasty close order battle with some very technical work to be done in assault and recovery for both sides

Scenario 7 - The Ditch at Kodad

With plenty of men but not so many weapons the Hyderabadis decide to dig an long antitank ditch to cause some trouble for the Indian troops. The victory conditions calls for control of towns and killing enemy steps forcing a stand up battle on the Hyderabadis. Their force is not particularly well composed for such a battle and this is a tough one for them as a result, but it is not impossible at all. Of some interest is that this is the third time that the forces have fought over this same location.

Scenario 8 - Violent Resistance

If the Indian troops can avoid heavy losses they should be able to at least pull out a draw in this one. Again a lot of close order fighting is necessary to clear out towns and roads and the Hyderabadis will be swarming around with 28 infantry type units and a couple of 18 pdrs to keep the Stuarts honest.

Scenario 9 - The Niam's Own

Hyderabad made heavy use of mercenaries and this scenario features some of them. What is doesn't feature, however, is a good chance for the Hyderabadis. At this point (3 days into Operation Polo) the Hyderabadis are throwing in the kitchen sink (note that I avoided using "chucking" instead of "throwing" despite the oblique pun potential with polo and chukkers). The Arab cavalry gives them some mobility which they normally don't have but they are clearly the infereior force and will have to use their horsesense (sorry) to gain a victory here.

The Extraordinary Sidney Cotton

The referenced individual was a shady arms merchant, aviator and spy from Austrailia who obtained many of the weapons that the Nizam's forces did have. This scenario gives you a chance to see what would have happened if he had been able to find some tanks in addition to artillery. The scenario itself, while completely fanciful is well balanced.

Supplement Summary

So, how happy was I to play the Happy War scenarios? I gave them a 3.6 average. The supplement shows a lot of odd units combinations but is limited in the types of scenarios. The Indians have to root out a lot of poorly led and equipped Hyderabadis over and over again. Therefore there is a little missing from a variety standpoint which War on the Equator, for example, has. Darn history! It did, however, lead to me read up on this little sidebar to history, which has its positive aspects. A fun series of plays but since the Hyderabadi success is dependent on surprising the Indian player it is best suited for shared plays and not solo play. Any of the scenarios can be played solo but they will lack in some of the aspects necessary to provide the play balance.