Sunday 21 Feb. 2010 Zulu Colonial Game

Last Sunday Russ, Warren and I played an interesting Zulu game. Russ put together the Scenario using "The Sword and the Flame Rules" by Larry V. Brom. Russ and Warren played the Zulus while I was in command of the British. The object of the game was for the British to get their gun from the base line onto the hill, top left hand corner in the photograph. Fire off two rounds into the Zulu Kral, then make it back to the base line. After some difficulties the British would have achieved their objective, only the British did not get back to the base line, due to the gamers calling it a win for the British and running out of time. Here are some photos of the game (should you wish to enlarge them, I am afraid you will find that they are somewhat blurry, sorry about that). Slide 1, shows a British platoon under attack by two Zulu Regiments. This platoon decided to rush ahead, paying no attention to the surrounding terrain, that could hold hidden Zulus After putting up a brave fight the platoon was pushed back. If you look closely you can see Lord Chelmsford peering through his scope. The platoon did rally and come back into the game. Much to the relieve of the British commander. The lesson is "Always stay in support and don't run ahead".

Two scouts run into a Zulu regiment armed with rifles. This particular regiment inflicted some heavy casualties on a British square later in the game. With some very good dice throwing by Warren.

Another view of the lone platoon that ran ahead of the rest of the British units. One figure in this platoon won a posthumous Victoria Cross for valour in the field, I intent to paint a little "Gold" mark on the figure to represent the V.C.



Two slides of Lord Chelmsford with the platoon. This is a nice figure from Redoubt Miniatures.




Second platoon moving forward, seeing their comrades under attack. This platoon gave support to the platoon in the centre that had to retreat. The gun was limbered and moved back. You may ask "Why didn't the Zulus attack the gun" my reply is "I do not know".

Final slide, shows the British under attack from the front and rear by two BRAVE Zulu Regiments. The Zulu regiment attacking in the rear were also hit in from behind by a British platoon. You can see the gun and its crew, taken in the flank by Zulus. The Kral was at the foot of this hill. Russ had some very bad dice rolls in this combat. Rolling I believe seven ones! The figures faced down represent wounded. After this combat, we called it a win for the British , the Zulus would have found it difficult in stopping the British from achieving their objective.
This the second time that Russ and I have played these rules and each time we have found the rules to be a joy to play and to those who think that it was an easy victory for the British, let me say "That it was not a walk over for me".
Terrain was put together by Russ.
Our next game will be a World War 1 scenario "Battle for the Conde Canal" 1914, where units from the British 2nd Corps faced the German "Steam Roller". So why not dust off those history books and brush up on this battle.