Relief of Ladysmith(ish) – 28th February 1900 – Part 2

March 23, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Black Powder, wargamingLeave a comment

We reconvened to complete the Ladysmith game.

The 1st Royal Dragoons had ridden forward and charged a unit of Boer Commandos. Initially they took several “hits” from the Boer autocannon or “Pom Poms” but by sheer luck had managed to save them all! (I forgot to take the photo I was so relieved). Being sensible they then withdrew disordered to try and reorganise however the “Pom Poms” fired again and this time I didn’t manage to save any of the hits and at this stage the Royal Dragoons decided that they had an appointment elsewhere.

Cavalry do not survive being hit by the “Pom Poms”

As well as the ongoing combat in the nearby building the Boers now tried to break into the town by assaulting the Naval Brigade which were holding a barricade across the railway line.

Away from the town the 2^nd Battalion Rifle Brigade and the Imperial Light Horse were engaged on the flank with some of Louis Botha’s Commandos with both sides taking casualties.

The Naval Brigade hold the barricades and break the Commando that had charged relieving the pressure slightly.

On the flank fire from the Imperial Light Horse and the Rifles finally break the Commando but another sits mounted behind them to take their place!

One of the “Pom Poms” is forced to retire as it is “jammed” and was coming under fire from the advancing British infantry.

Back on the flank a Boer Commando charged the Rifles on the hill. The resulting combat was a draw and with both sides shaken they both had to take a “break” test. Both failed so each decided to run away!

In Ladysmith the Gordon Highlanders had finally been broken after coming under sustained artillery fire and taking heavy casualties. The only upside for the British is that none of the Boers were able to advance and occupy the vacated building.

Not to be left out the Naval artillery landed on a Boer commando and that failed its break test and did a runner as well.

Things were in the balance but with the initial two Boer brigades broken they could only hold at the walls and exchange fire with the garrison. Pressure was on for the relief columns to break into the town.

The Boer artillery switched targets and fired on another of the buildings. This time they also managed to set fire to the building which meant that it had to be evacuated.

On the flank the Imperial Light Horse finally broke after receiving fire from the mounted Boer commandos leaving things a bit up in the air and also meaning that Buller’s relief column was close to breaking itself.

The Lancashire Fusiliers had closed to close range and volleyed the Boers holding the other river bank who decided that they had an appointment elsewhere and broke.

Another of Botha’s commandos was broken from fire from the hill. The problem was that all of Botha’s commandos were “marauders” which meant that under the rules we had to brake every unit in the brigade before they quit the field.

The Boer “Pom Poms” had run into trouble and were both now jammed so decided that they would exit over the bridge but this formed a bit of a traffic jam.

This presented an opportunity to good to miss and the British infantry charged. Failing the evade move and not being able to clear the limbered artillery to it front the rear “Pom Pom” was caught and destroyed.

The 1^st Battalion South Lancs Regiment accompanied by the War Reporter had charged another of Botha’s commandos in the rear and managed to break the unit which enable it to advance into Ladysmith. This enabled the War Reporter to talk to the Ambulance Corps leader and gain us one of our victory conditions. Unfortunately the garrison had become broken just before we managed to gain entry which meant that we did not achieve our other objective.

The British Infantry crossed the river and delivered a close range volley into another of the Boer commandos driving it away.

With casualties mounting on both sides it was at this stage that Buller’s relief column broke and the surviving units started to retreat leaving only the Naval Brigade and Armoured train column on the field for the British. However the Boers were in a similar situation with only the Artillery brigade and Botha’s commandos unbroken.

After its gallant defence of the railway line the Naval Brigade infantry had moved to occupy one of the buildings. This soon attracted fire from the Boer artillery which as well as inflicting casualties also set fire to the building!

The casualties proved to much for the unit and it finally broke!

It was now time to call the game.

Both sides had lost 2 brigades broken and the survivors not looking well either.

The Boers had broken the garrison before the relief column had arrived and still held one of the hills giving them 3 victory points.

The British had managed to get the two VIP’s to meet and also controlled one of the hills which gave them 3 Victory Points.

So overall the game was a draw! However it was a cracking scenario and an enjoyable game that could have gone either way several times. Special thanks to Dave B for organising the game.

Relief of Ladysmith(ish) – 28th February 1900

March 10, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Black Powder, wargaming1 Comment

To follow up on his Rorke’s Drift extravaganza Dave B decided to run a scenario based on the relief of Ladysmith (with the addition of an armoured train) on its 126^th anniversary.

The British had two relief forces one advancing by the road (Nigel) and one on the armoured train (me) while the garrison of Ladysmith (Paul) was holding with grime determination.

The Boer forces were commanded by Alan, “Broken Dice” David, Dave A and “Uncle Albert” Julian.

The Boers started with two brigades on the table and they started to advance towards Ladysmith.

The Boers advanced in a staggered line due to some dodgy command dice but soon started to engage the defenders.

Then more Boer commandos appeared and moved down the river instead of choosing to try and slow the advance of the relief columns.

Initially the defenders were deployed to hold the forward walls of the town.

But early casualties had already forced the highlanders to seek the shelter of the building.

Highlanders occupying building on the flank

While the last unit was held in reserve so all we could hear was the cry for the relief columns to reach the town.

The rifles were the only unit that was deployed outside the town. These were holding a hill to try and slow any Boer advance towards the approaching relief columns.

The first surprise came as the British artillery spotter appeared on the board and the balloon went up! This also meant that the Naval brigade had started to arrive carrying various bits of the artillery.

At the same time the Armoured train started to roll onto the board and make its stately progress up the board.

The mounted Boers reinforcements started to move to the flank of Ladysmith to cover the bridges and try to start inflicting casualties on the garrison.

Boers moving to attack the flank of Ladysmith

The other relief column had also arrived and was advancing up the road at speed but with a warning not to stop at the level crossing as it could be dangerous!

Relief columns advance but dont stop on the level crossing!

However at this point the Boers did not seem concerned with the relief columns and kept up with the advance on Ladysmith.

The advancing Boer infantry had forced the Garrison to take cover in the building and while this reduced the garrisons firepower it did increase their “morale” saves to resist casualties.

Garrison forced to retreat to the buildings

The concentration of the Boers on one side of the river did mean that a traffic jam had developed that had slowed the advance of the artillery.

Eventually the Boers did notice the relief columns and started to form a defensive line at the river with some of the artillery advancing over the bridges.

The warning to not stop on the level crossing had been ignored and there was a screech of brakes as the train just managed to slow down before it ploughed into the British cavalry!

Told you not to stop on the level crossing

The Boers had now formed their defensive line and the Naval brigade had moved to hold the flank after delivering the artillery. It was than we noticed two “tiny” units sneaking towards the railway bridge.

The rifles on the hill was now under increasing pressure as the Boers moved more units over the river and also deployed some of their “pom-pom” guns to fire on the rifles.

Instead of moving rapidly towards the bridges the British mounted infantry moved to the right to engage a Boer unit and provide some relief to the rifles.

The purpose of those “tiny” units became clear as the engineers had placed the explosives and blown the railway bridge which would mean that the armoured train would no longer simply roll into the centre of the town 😒.

The British artillery had been set up and now took its toll as it fired on the Boer assault unit which broke under the fire.

We had now run out of time and we would have to reconvene to finish the game.

So far a brilliant laugh and a great scenario.

Battle of Corstorphin Hill – 1745

February 26, 2026 The Uncivil ServantBlack Powder, Last Argument of Kings, wargamingLeave a comment

This was the first battle in a 1745 Campaign being run by Paul (also using his collection of troops). Up to now both sides had been gathering forces but the Jacobite’s (me, “Broken Dice” David and Nigel) had advanced out of the highlands towards Edinburgh.

The Government forces (Dave A, Dave B, “Uncle Albert” Julian and Alan) had been falling back before is and now decided to make a stand at Edinburgh.

The battle was located on Corstorphin Hill south of the city. The Government forces had occupied the hill with Dragoons in the woods on either flank.

We had deployed with two brigades on the right flank, one in the centre and one on the left. With the intention of swinging around on the right flank to outflank the Government forces.

Government forces looking down from their vantage point

The highland brigade on the extreme right was tardy in its advance, so it fell to the 1^st Athol’s to lead the charge after launching a quick volley. Unfortunately, the unit they charged failed their break test due to the “terrifying charge” and fell back through the large unit behind them. This meant they had halted at short range and had to await the incoming volley!

The volley arrived and a bad break test meant that the Athol’s remembered they had an appointment elsewhere.

This stalled my advance as another of my units was shaken and was close to breaking itself! However the other highland brigade had arrived and had driven the dragoons back and forced them to retire from the field shaken.

On the left flank “Broken Dice” had got board holding his position and decided to advance and engage the dragoons in the fields. The other units held back as they only had pistols!

We now had to try and get reorganised on the right flank but our brigade in the centre was close to breaking through shooting casualties.

The Government forces remained nailed to the hill so didn’t push the advantage in the centre.

Back on the right we had managed to shake another unit which had broken the left flank brigade that was now retreating from the field.

On the left flank the dragoons were now in a firefight but ends up shaken and also retreats from the field.

While the right flank was pushing forward against the Government reinforcements. The centre brigade finally broke from shooting casualties and started to withdraw from the field.

However rather than charging we were sensible and used three units to volley a Government battalion.

This tactic broke another brigade which meant that the Government forces were broken and had to start to retreat.

This left only one Government brigade on the hill that started to withdraw before we could cause any more casualties.

With the last battalion successfully retreating from the field with a victory for the Jacobite forces that allowed us to take Edinburgh (but not the castle) and declare the “Bonny Prince” the king in Scotland and recruit more forces.

A good game, at least for the Jacobite’s, and with the campaign elements you tend to be more careful as to with the troops rather than last turn heroics.

Great Northern War – Battle of Bad Kein Solcher Ort – Part 2

December 19, 2025 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Black Powder, Last Argument of Kings, wargaming1 Comment

We reconvened to complete the Great Northern War game. We had left it as the battlelines had closed and the firefights had started in earnest.

Along the line infantry was engaged in a firefight and casualties were mounting on both sides while the cavalry was basically spectators.

Early on a couple of Swedish units failed their break test and quit the field.

First unit to crack one of the Swedish infantry

This was soon followed by a Swedish grenadier unit from long range fire.

This was soon followed by a Swedish greanadier unit

But soon the worm turned and the Saxon and Russian infantry started to quit the field.

Not all one way Saxon infantry started to crack

This was happening along the line and another Russian infantry broke and exposed the Streltsy to fire from the Swedish line infantry.

The allied problems mounted as the Saxon infantry brigade in the centre broke and started to to withdraw exposing the Saxon cavalry brigade to Swedish fire.

Saxon infantry brigade breaks and withdraws

With the Saxon withdrawal this allowed to the Swedish artillery to turn their attention to the Russian infantry and soon paid off as the Russian infantry started to break.

Russian unit cracks under pressure from the Swedish artillery

This gave the Saxon Cavalry a problem as they were facing Swedish infantry armed with pike which meant that they couldn’t charge them so just had to suffer.

On our left flank the Streltsy that had been exposed finally broke exposing the flank of the Russian infantry on that flank.

The Swedish dragoons that had been occupying the woods had mounted up and moved out to threaten the exposed flank.

To try and protect the flank and repeat their earlier success the Polish Hussars charged again led by the brigade general yelling “follow me”.

On the Russian right flank the Russian cavalry charged out and cleared some dismounted Swedish dragoons to try and relieve some of the pressure on the Russian infantry.

On the left flank I managed to “fluff” the combat rolls with the Hussars and then completely “fluffed” the saving rolls! While surviving the combat the hussars were “shaken” which meant that the Polish cavalry brigade broke. The only upside was the casualties inflicted on the Swedish dragoons also shake that unit which also broke the Swedish cavalry brigade.

Mutual destruction and the breaking of the army

At the same time that the Poles broke the Russian infantry brigade on the left broke. This meant that the allied army had broken as we had lost 4 brigades (including the Russian cavalry brigade that blundered and withdrew from the field). So victory went to the Swedes without a single infantry melee being fought!

Another enjoyable game if a tad on the large side 😁.

Great Northern War – Battle of Bad Kein Solcher Ort

December 9, 2025 The Uncivil ServantBlack Powder, Last Argument of Kings, wargamingLeave a comment

Nigel arranged a “what if” game in the Greta Northern War. A Russian/Saxon force had cut off the Swedes from their supply base at Riga so the Swedes had to turn and break back through the Allies.

The Swedes were played by Dave A, “Broken Dice” David and Paul. While the Russians were played by me, Alan and Dave B while the Saxons were commanded by “Uncle Albert”. The troops were from the collections of Nigel, “Uncle Albert” and “Broken Dice”.

I won’t say that Nigel has megalomaniac tendencies, but when you are playing on a 12’ table and when you deploy and you must leave a Saxon cavalry brigade off table you could say you have gone over the top! But the Allies deployed with Cavalry on the wings and the Saxon infantry in the centre supported by Russian infantry on either of their flanks.

The Swedes didn’t have the same problem but they deployed a cavalry heavy wing on their left, infantry in the centre and a small infantry and cavalry brigade on their right flank.

The Allies advance started slowly shall we say with only one brigade advancing trying to create space for the cavalry brigade.

Trying to force the left flank the Poles advanced down the left flank.

While in the centre a staring match was developing with only a very slow advance.

On the left I tried to advance the Russian Dragoon brigade to try and take the woods on the left but blundered and retired from the field. I then failed to get them to advance back onto the table and the brigade was broken!

The Polish Hussars charged the Swedish cavalry on the left and the Pancerni following up behind. The remnants of the Dragoon brigade started retiring from the field.

Hussars off while rest continue to advance

The Hussars managed to smash their way through the Swedes and not even take a casualty.

Back in the centre the Swedish infantry were advancing at a steady pace ensuring that the lines remained dressed.

With the lack of the Dragoons on the left the Pancerni tried to use their pistols against the Dragoons in the wood and this proved to be ineffective and they soon retired.

Infantry lines slowly closing along the line.

Swedish light artillery starts to takes its toll as they advance with the infantry.

Musket duals along the line with casualties mounting on both sides.

Close range artillery fire proves to much for a Saxon Infantry regiment.

Artillery fire to much for the Saxon infantry

This was soon followed by another regiment when the taking fire from two Swedish infantry regiments.

We had run out of time for the day but we will return!

Crossing the Spey 12th April 1756

July 21, 2025 The Uncivil ServantBlack Powder, Last Argument of Kings, wargaming2 Comments

Paul put on a “what if” scenario from the 1745 Jacobite Uprising an opposed crossing of the River Spey just before the battle of Culloden.

In the scenario the Jacobite’s have decided to defend the fords across the Spry and the Government forces must force the crossing.

The Jacobite’s were played by “Broken Dice” David, Nigel and me. While the Government forces were played by Alan, Dave B and “Uncle Albert” Julian. Paul provided the umpiring services along with the figures and terrain.

The three Government brigades deploy ready to attack.

Jacobite forces await the assault.

On the Jacobite left the troops rapidly advance on the ford, while the officers look to see if they can find other fords.

The same on the Jacobite right flank. Only the mortar moves in the centre as the rest of the troops refuse to move.

Having reached the ford the Government forces seems to start having a council of war to decide what to do next.

The same seems to happen on the right flank as well as everyone stops at the ford.

Morter fore from the centre starts to hit the Jacobite reserves in the centre.

On the left flank the Government forces move across the river but do not have enough movement left to deploy into line and the Jacobite’s take aim.

In true British style the Government forces now start forming an orderly queue.

One of the Government units starts taking heavy fire.

On the Jacobite right the Government troops start to ford the river but starts taking casualties.

While the attacks are going on the officers search the last part of the river for crossing points but find none (they had some poor dice throwing).

Officers still looking for other crossing points

On the right flank a highlander charge and clear the ford.

Fighting on the left is heating up and a unit from the reserves joins in to add its firepower.

The heavy fire takes its toll on the Government regiment that breaks but not before shaking its opponent.

At this stage the brigadier joins the unit in the ford and orders a charge. He gets the required number of moves and charges the shaken unit.

The shaken unit loses the combat and breaks.

But worse is to follow as the artillery remembers they have an appointment and the Glenbuckets regiment fails its break test and routs as well!! This leaves a big hole not only on the left flank but in the centre.

With the Duke of Perth’s regiment also shaken the left flank infantry starts to withdraw from the field.

With the Government success on the Jacobite left the British commander on the right flank tries again to cross the ford.

On the left shooting finally breaks the last of the Jacobite infantry and exposes the cavalry to musketry fire.

On the right flank the Highlanders charge again and drive back the infantry crossing the ford but, in the process, take enough casualties to become shaken and the right flank infantry brigade becomes shaken. At the same time another infantry unit from the reserves shakes under fire from the Government mortars and that brigade also breaks and starts to retreat!

With the loss of three of our infantry brigades the game is called as a victory for the Government forces and the fords are secured. Man of the match award goes to the Government forces attacking the Jacobite left fank (well done Alan) and thanks to Paul on a great scenario.

Another great and enjoyable game.

Battle of Rorke’s Drift (Part 2)

March 11, 2025 The Uncivil ServantBlack Powder, military, wargaming, Zulu Supplement1 Comment

We were back to finish the Rorke’s Drift game and see if anyone could reach all 8 of their victory conditions (see previous post for details).

As we recommenced the Zulus had a slight advantage but could the British turn it around?

It was now the turn of the British to roll a “blunder” (double 6 when issuing orders) as I was trying to move one of my units to reinforce Lt Chard in the east. Instead the unit decided to leap over the barricades and try to get closer to the Zulus!!

At the same time Lt Chard had ordered two of CS Bourne’s section to man the Redoubt in readiness for further attacks on the eastern section (another victory point to the British 🥳). But things took a turn for the worse when he tried to resupply a section holding the wall with ammunition, another blunder!

This time the unit jumped over the wall and charged the Zulus to their front!

Now on the other side of the station the hospital was being held by a unit of “walking wounded” as well as a section of infantry when they suddenly started to smell smoke! The pyromaniac Zulus had finally managed to start a fire on the fourth attempt.

Back on the east by some miracle (or a combination of poor combat dice from the Zulus and a high roll on the break test by the British) the unit that had charged had survived and was retreating back to the safety of the barricade.

At the hospital the Zulu attacks had finally forced the walking wounded to retire shaken. Leaving a single unit to defend the hospital.

Walking wounded pushed from the hospital

Things were also deteriorating at the east wall as a section of infantry finally cracks under the pressure of the Zulu attacks and runs. Luckily the supporting units hold and the Zulus do not push their advantage by coming over the walls.

At the hospital things are going down hill fast as the Zulus had managed to start a second fire!

“I definitely smell smoke, fetch the buckets”

The British defenders felt under pressure from all sides as the attacks were being pressed on both the east and west walls but this had allowed for units from CS Bourne’s command to reinforce Lt Chard.

Fortunately for me, “Broken Dice” lived up to his name and the unit CS Bourne was attached to routed the Zulu unit he was facing and the other section held the attack. This then gave CS Bourne the opportunity to move a supporting unit into position and the British managed to win the next round of combat! 2 more victory points for the defenders 😊.

The Zulu commanders now really got upset as the “walking wounded” and another unengaged unit were ordered to fight the fire at the hospital and again we were lucky with the command rolls and managed to put both fires out in a single turn 😊.

At the east wall the last of the defenders had started to withdraw to the redoubt but the “left horn” of the Zulu forces had become broken and started to slowly withdraw from the field.

At the west wall the Zulu “loins” had been reduced to throwing assegai at the defenders through a mixture of disorder and shaken units.

At the east wall the expected Zulu charges didn’t materialise, as the Zulu commander was trying to organise his troops they again failed their command rolls.

It had now also gone quite at the south wall as the Unmarried warriors facing CS Bourne had also started to withdraw through losses and these were soon joined by the regiments in the “loins” as their command was also broken.

The commander of the “right horn” was looking at the defensive positions and decided that he too had an appointment elsewhere and his regiments slowly started to fall back.

It was now time to look at the victory conditions to see who had actually won the game.

Starting with the British they had achieved six of their conditions which were:

“Look to your front, mark your target” CS Bourne needs to join a one of his units and shoot at an enemy unit with his roll causing disorder.
“Why us Sergeant? (Because we are here lad) CS Bourne needs to join a unit and hit an enemy in combat.
“The lord of hosts is with us” CS Bourne needed to order one of his units to move to support another in combat.
“Independent fire at will! (that’s jolly nice of him)” – One of Lt Bromhead’s units must score 3 hits (not necessarily cause a casualty) in one round/volley of shooting.
“I came to build, not fight” Lt Chard must build a redoubt.
“Man the Redoubt” Lt Chard must order 2 unshaken units to man the redoubt.

While the Zulus had managed to meet 4 of their conditions which were:

“Count the guns with your warriors’ lives” – an unmarried regiment must become shaken due to shooting casualties before any other regiment suffer a single casualty.
“They’ve gone to ground” – a regiment must go to ground in a charge move of more than move to avoid disorder.
“The horns of the buffalo” – at least one regiment from both the left and right horns must charge home in the same turn.
“KwaZulu forever” – at least one of the married regiment commanders must lead a charge with a “follow me order” and win the first round of combat.

So victory went to the British but the game could have easily gone the other way and I have to admit the Zulu commanders did have some terrible command rolls during the game. I have also never seen as many blunders rolled in a game before.

A really great and enjoyable scenario and thanks to Dave B for devising it.

We also agreed that is would be played again in the future with the swapping sides to see how the British commanders can cope with the Zulus next time!

Battle of Rorke’s Drift

March 10, 2025 The Uncivil ServantBlack Powder, history, Zulu Supplement3 Comments

Dave B recently organised a scenario based on the battle of Rorke’s drift on the January 23^rd 1879, the scenario was heavily influenced by the film as you will see later.

Rather than a straightforward game each side had 8 victory conditions they needed to fulfil to win the game (these were really based on the film). If any side achieved all * conditions they won. The victory conditions for the British were as follows:

“Look to your front, mark your target” CS Bourne needs to join a one of his units and shoot at an enemy unit with his roll causing disorder.
“Why us Sergeant? (Because we are here lad) CS Bourne needs to join a unit and hit an enemy in combat.
The lord of hosts is with us” CS Bourne needed to order one of his units to move to support another in combat.
“Independent fire at will! (that’s jolly nice of him)” – One of Lt Bromhead’s units must score 3 hits (not necessarily cause a casualty) in one round/volley of shooting.
“Stop throwing those bloody spears at me” Lt Bromhead must join one of his units and melee an opposing Zulu unit and win one round of combat.
“I came to build, not fight” Lt Chard must build a redoubt.
“Man the Redoubt” Lt Chard must order 2 unshaken units to man the redoubt.
“Men of Harlech” (new special rule for the scenario) Lt Bromhead or Lt Chard can use a special rally order once in the game when their brigade (or CS Bourne’s brigade) is effectively broken to remove one casualty from each unit and effectively unbreak the brigade.

Ammunition – Just to make life interesting for the British while they started on 3 shooting dice – every time they shot and threw a 1 on their shooting dice, they lost a shooting dice! This could be replaced by ordering one of the tiny “logistics” teams to resupply the ammunition.

The Zulu victory conditions were:

“Count the guns with your warriors’ lives” – an unmarried regiment must become shaken due to shooting casualties before any other regiment suffer a single casualty.
“They’ve gone to ground” – a regiment must go to ground in a charge move of more than move to avoid disorder.
“The horns of the buffalo” – at least one regiment from both the left and right horns must charge home in the same turn.
“Keep the sick and injured warm” – burn down the hospital with at least three fire markers.
“Take out the white man in charge” – wound one of the British commanders in melee.
“Stop the ammunition supply” destroy one of the British “tiny” units resupplying the ammunition.
“Push them Back” clear all British units from one third of the drift.
“KwaZulu forever” – at least one of the married regiment commanders must lead a charge with a “follow me order” and win the first round of combat.

The game was fought using the Black Powder rules and the Zulu War supplement.

The British were commanded by Alan (Chard), Paul (Bromhead) and myself (CS Bourne).

The Zulu’s were played by Dave A, “Broken Dice” David, “Uncle Albert” Julian and Nigel.

All quite at the “Drift”

The defenders deploy with CS Bourne holding the centre, Lt Bromhead holding the hospital and the west and Lt Chard holding the eastern section near the cattle kraal.

Solitary Zulu unit appears and stands around – everyone says “don’t shoot” he’s counting your guns but CS Bourne (me) ignores the pleas as I try to get a victory condition.

A unit of Natal Native Horse appears having been driven back by the approaching Zulus!

Henderson’s Horse (Natal Native Horse) appears

CS Bourne scores a “disordering” hit so victory point achieved 😊.

By now regiments from the Zulu “Right Horn” appear and start to advance on the East wall but bad command rolls by their commander slows the advance of the rest of the horn.

Back at the South Wall more Zulus appear but stay out of range waiting for their comrades already under fire to become shaken which they do – victory point to the Zulus 😒.

Rest of the “Head of the Buffalo” arrives

Hendersons horse received a shock as regiments from the Zulu “loins” appear and pepper them with assegai!

“Loins of the Buffalo” appear and shock NNH

In the eastern part of the drift Lt Chard has not been wasting anytime and has ordered the building of the redoubt in “double quick” time (some cracking command rolls) so another victory point to the Brits 😊.

Then the Zulu “left horn” appears having marched all around the table and deploys facing Lt Chard’s section of the North wall – pressure is building.

The “left horn” starts launching attacks on Chard while the “right horn” continues to “muff” his command rolls – how many “blunders” can a man roll in one game 😂🤣.

On the South Wall the unbalanced “firefight” continues between CS Bourne and the Unmarried Warriors, while the rest of Bournes command have a “brew”.

On the East Wall simultaneous attacks are launched by the right and left horns against Chard. Another victory point to the Zulus 😒. But on the bright side the line holds.

On the South wall CS Bourne is taunting the Zulus as he needs them to charge so he can get the rest of his victory points but they are refusing to oblige.

A Zulu regiment breaks on the East Wall while the other regiment continues its fight.

However at the Kraal the cattle are getting nervous. Every time there is shooting in their vicinity the white D6 is increased by one what will happen next?

At the West Wall the Zulu commander leads one of his regiments into combat against the British but the attack is driven back so no victory point this time.

On Chard’s section of the South Wall two more Zulu regiments charge and one loses and becomes shaken.

The Zulu commander moves two more units into support position but to no avail somehow the British get a draw and the Zulus must make a break test and fail – they are destroyed and exit stage left.

To make matters worse at this point the cattle get the hump and stampede right through the Zulu unit in the Kraal and the Zulus somehow lose the combat and are forced back. The cattle exit stage left.

On the South Wall another unmarried regiment cracks under the fire from CS Bourne but the units are running short of ammunition.

While on the West wall a bunch of pyromaniacal Zulus approach waving torches but miss the hospital this time.

On Chard’s section of the “station” the Zulus pull back and take a breather reordering – the left horn are still trying to get organised (I think there was 4 or 5 blunders and more badly failed first command rolls during the game).

I was at this time we ran out of time on the first gaming session with the Zulus just ahead on the victory points but the game would continue.

To be continued ………………….

Yorktown Breakout

November 29, 2024 The Uncivil Servantamerican-revolution, Black Powder, Last Argument of Kings, miniatures, wargamingLeave a comment

Nigel put on a “what if” scenario based on a “Breakout from Yorktown” before the siege began in 1781. All the forces are from Nigel’s collection.

The Loyalist forces had to breakout down one of the two roads on the table. The only issue was the French were advancing down one and the American forces advancing down the other.

The British and Loyalists were command by Dave B, Paul and me. The Americans commanded by Dave A and “Uncle Albert” Julian while the French were commanded by Alna and “Broken Dice” David.

The French were deployed on the British right flank.

Where the Americans were advancing down the road on the British left flank.

The British plan was to breakout through the road on our left flank while holding on the right. So on the right the British Cavalry and Infantry were deployed with the Hessian in the centre.

While the Loyalist brigade with artillery brigade in support (deployed in a redoubt) was deployed on the right to hold the French.

The American advance was stalled on the first turn was stalled when one of their infantry brigades “fumbled” and retreated two turns falling back to the board edge!

This left one of the American skirmishing units exposed to the British cavalry who immediately charged; however this didn’t work out as expected as the cavalry through poorly on combat and were pushed back!

The French infantry had rushed forward to engage the loyalist, well as least the infantry. For the cavalry “Broken Dice” lived up to his name, the cavalry refused to move for two turns, then blundered and retreated from the table and then refused to come back on!

After taking fire from the loyalist they replied scoring three hits out of four and disordering the unit.

Another French brigade was pushing through the woods and engaging the Loyalist infantry.

So as the lunch break approached the British and Hessians were pushing forward and while the Loyalist were hanging on against overwhelming odds.

The French were continuing to push forward and flanking the loyalist in the woods.

It was now the turn for the third blunder to be rolled in the game but this time it was the French infantry but rather than retreat they charged forward as fast as possible that put them on the flank of the loyalist and more importantly on the flank of the redoubt!

The other French infantry brigade had given up with the musketry dual and decided to go in with the bayonet and shook the Loyalist 84^th foot.

Also by now the British and the Germans had resorted to the bayonet as well pushing back the Americans in front of them but taking casualties in return and getting very close to shaking their own brigades.

The French now launched a charge on the redoubt and the defending artillery issued defensive fire and missed! This meant that the combat didn’t go well for the artillery and the infantry were now in the redoubt.

The British and Hessians were still pushing their attacks and managed to keep pushing the Americans back but were struggling to rally any of their units.

But casualties were telling and finally one of the Hessians units cracked and broke from fire from an American unit.

But some of the Hessians have had enough

Also the British brigades were also starting to suffer as the casualties mounted as they pressed their attacks.

On the Loyalist flank the last man standing was a single battery of artillery as the rest of the brigade retreated from the board.

Time had run out for the British to make the breakthrough as the Germans and British brigades were broken and the game was lost, time to reverse the wagons and retreat to Yorktown.

Cracking game even though we had lost but the award must go to the French who didn’t lose a unit that I can remember, except for the cavalry who declined to participate (“Broken Dice” strikes again).

Thanks Nige for a great game.

First Battle of Charasiab 06/10/1879

September 10, 2024 The Uncivil ServantBlack Powder, British Indian Army, Colonial, military-history, wargaming2 Comments

Dave B organised a scenario which gave him a chance to get his 2^nd Afghan War troops on the table for the first time.

The scenario was based on the battle of Charasiab where Major-General Roberts led the Kabul Field Force to engage a blocking force of Afghan troops on the road to Kabul.

The Afghan forces were commanded by Alan, “Broken Dice” David and “Uncle Albert” Julian. The British Indian Army forces were commanded by Nigel, Paul and me.

The Afghans were deployed with irregular forces on either flank and a regular infantry brigade in the centre.

The British plan was to use the cavalry to mask the left flank while the 2^nd Infantry brigade engaged the Afghan regulars, while the 1^st Infantry Brigade supported by the artillery brigade engaged the other tribal forces on our right flank.

The artillery advanced quickly onto the board but in the middle of unlimbering the elephant drawn siege gun was disordered and stayed that way for a couple of turns!

In the centre the 2^nd Infantry brigade advanced onto the ridge line and prepared to engage the Afghan regulars opposite.

The Afghan irregular commanders were all starting to have the same problem and couldn’t make their command rolls! A unit of fanatics launches themselves forward while the rest of the tribes hang around and survey the scenery.

On the British left flank the 12^th Bengal and the 5^th Punjab Cavalry advance and start to skirmish with the enemy in an attempt to slow them down.

While in the centre a firefight develops between the infantry brigades.

On the British left flank the 12^th Bengal Cavalry find themselves in a tricky situation as they are flanked by Afghan Cavalry.

But luckily they were soon able to extract themselves and fall back onto the rest of the cavalry brigade.

By now forces were engaged all along the line but the Afghan commanders were still finding it difficult to get their troops moving in a coordinated fashion.

To try and bring the maximum firepower to bear on the Indian Infantry one of the Afghan regulars advanced but was soon suffering under the heavy volley fire.

To try and alleviate the artillery fire on the infantry a unit of Afghan cavalry launch a desperate charge the horse artillery but are brought to a halt by the “closing fire” and are shaken and disorganised.

While the cavalry is being stopped by the artillery the fanatics are also shaken from fire from the advancing infantry.

After several turns the siege artillery is finally able to unlimber however it has become shaken and needs to be rallied.

In the centre there has been some success for the Afghans as the Gurkhas after suffering casualties from infantry and artillery fire fail a “break test” and quit the field.

On the left flank the 9^th Royal Lancers launch a charge against the Afghan cavalry and manage to drive them off.

Back in the centre the firefight has developed and the Afghan regular infantry are taking heavy casualties with a couple of units failing “break test” and leaving the field with other units becoming shaken the Afghan Regular infantry brigade starts to withdraw from the field.

Trying to close the range on the Afghan forces the horse artillery are ordered to manhandle their guns forward however they feel that this manual labour is beneath them (they blundered) and instead limber up and ride forward as fast as possible.

Luckily there are no Afghan units that can exploit this mistake and the guns are soon unlimbered and start inflicting heavy casualties on the Afghan irregulars.

As the situation continues to deteriorate for the Afghans a unit of tribesmen manage to charge a of Bengal Infantry, but the attack is repulsed.

With the combined firepower of the 1^st and 2^nd Infantry Brigades and the artillery fire the Afghan left flank infantry brigade finally breaks and starts to withdraw.

With only the troops of “Broken Dice” Pasha still on the board the Afghan army is broken and the game goes to the British Indian forces.

An enjoyable game (for the British players at least) while the Afghan players only had bad luck especially with their command rolls. Great scenario and figure collection from Dabe B.