The Army of God (1919-1930)

Historically, this unlikely mix of Bolchevism and Islam was dissolved by Lenin without seeing combat; in my fictional "War of Sinkiang", however, it is a different matter !

The Army of God is intended to rally the Muslim population of Chinese Turkestan to its banner, overthrow Yang Zengxin in Kashgar, fight off an inevitable counterattack by the Army of British India, and ultimately throw Annenkov and his White Russians out of Urumchi.  Once all that is accomplished, an invasion of India through Afghanistan can be planned…

The Army of God is at least adequately equipped for its herculean task, but suffers from growing tensions in its ranks.  Communism and Islam do not, as it turns out, make good bedfellows.


Bolchevik infantry

The Red Army has gained much combat experience since 1918, and Lenin has sent some of its best units to corral the Army of God into action.  The Bolchevik soldiers are well equipped with machine-guns, anti-tank rifles, mortars and artillery.

Copplestone Castings



Indian Muslim infantry and artillery

Wearing the characteristic headgear, these Indian Muslims, equipped and trained by the Bolchevik regime, are the ideological spearhead of the Army of God.  The liberation of Chinese Turkestan is meant to be, for them, just the first step towards the freeing of their home country from British imperialism.

Copplestone Castings

Empress Miniatures



 
Afghan tribal infantry

The Third Afghan War of 1919 was a military failure, but a political success for the Afghan king.  As planned, several thousand Afghan tribesmen have joined the Army of God as it crosses the Pamir mountain passes into China.

Empress Miniatures

Vehicles
The Army of God is well equipped with vehicles, including various tanks, armoured cars and trucks.  According to British spies who have watched it grow into a fighting force, it can also count on a dozen aircraft, brought down from Moscow in an armoured train.

 Empress Miniatures