AFGHANS IN THE HEREFORD VBCW

While the occasional presence of Abyssinians in the Hereford VBCW could have some historical justification, the introduction at the recent Battle of Leominster of a number of wild Afghans (fighting in support of the Bromyard Social Democratic Republic), albeit chronologically accurate, owes more to low literature (and Corgi nostalgic diecasts):

A Corgi "Comic Classic" boxed diecast, celebrating "The Wizard".
The Afghan with heavy machine gun cartoon on the side of the Morris J. proved irresistible.

"The Wizard" was one of the pre-eminent boys comics of the 1920s and 1930s, published by D.C.Thompson of Dundee. A recurring character within "The Wizard" was one Second Lieutenant Bill Sampson, a British intelligence agent on the North West Frontier (aka "The Wolf of Kabul"), accompanied by his friend and sidekick, Chung. Chung's weapon of choice was a cricket bat, which he called his "Clicky-Ba". Together, they survived many adventures and saw off many enemies of Empire during "The Wizard"s long run of continuous publication (from 1922 to 1963, resurfacing in "The Hotspur" from 1961 to 1975).

Bill Sampson and Chung. Although "The Wolf of Kabul" often
used native dress, he is portrayed here in true Imperial style.

Chung in action with his fearsome "Clicky-Ba". Behind, Sampson
 despatches another enemy with a Very British "straight right".
Obviously, the chaps are badly outnumbered - but are bound to triumph in the end.

Curiously for a British Imperial hero (but less so for a boys own character), "The Wolf of Kabul" was portrayed as an anti-establishment irregular, rather than a classic British Army Officer.  For a taste of "The Wolf's" style, together with the origin of Chung and a classic account of NWF action, see HERE.

And so back to the Hereford VBCW:

The Battle of Leominster. "The Wizard"s red and orange Morris J. can be seen lurking in the
background, having offloaded the Wolf of Kabul's section of Afghans (including a
mortar and Anti-Tank Jezzail). 

Some question why Bill Sampson, Chung and their Afghan allies opted to support the Bromyard Social Democratic Republic. It may be that the Malvern Hills reminded them of the mountains of the North West Frontier. It may be that Sampson's anti-establishment style was better suited to the "liberal values" of Bromyard, rather than the "stuffy Royalism" of Lord de Braose's Hereford. Or it may be that Sampson simply "felt at home" amongst the many strange types (including Red Robed Cultists) fighting on the side of the newly founded Republic [note 1].

One matter, however, is clear. "The Wolf of Kabul" can expect re-inforcements, in due course, from the many fine 28mm ranges of Afghans (of varying periods) already available, the possibilities seemingly endless:

Artizan Designs Afghans, with a fine standard bearer

Empress Miniatures Afghans, with another type of standard bearer and "AT Rifle team"

Eureka Miniatures Afghan MMG and crew

Eureka again - with a (very updated) "Blacker Bombard" AT Gun. The crewman with
the AK47 might be a little too modern for the Hereford VBCW...

More in period - an Empress Miniatures "Jazz Age Imperialism" Afghan mortar and
classic "AT operative".

Whatever the case, Councillor Dribblesnot, the "flame haired founder of the Republic", has duly assigned the Afghan section(s) to the "eastern frontier" of the Republic's boundaries, where they may be expected to keep a watching brief on the forces of the Malvern Hills Conservators, sometime allies of the BUF and other reactionary types. And as for 2nd Lieutenant Sampson, he has obviously been assigned the position of Bromyard's Intelligence Chief.....

[Note 1] Dark rumours have already started swirling as to the true identity of "Bill Sampson". It is argued that he and his sections of infantry have nothing to do with Afghanistan, nor the North West Frontier, being simply "a crowd of roughs" from the back streets of Dundee, robed and organised by D.C.Thompson as "an advertising stunt" to promote the sales of "The Wizard". If so, this would make them the earliest example of LARPing/Comic Con attendees known in the UK. The Afghans strong performance at the Battle of Leominster, plus Bill Sampson's appointment as Bromyard's Intelligence Chief, has done something to dispel such dark rumours....