Sunday 15 May Zulu War k/spiel at Little Gaddesden

More details to follow from Paul, but I believe this game is on the campaign as a whole, with occasional battles resolved in a speedy manner.

Martin (J)

I have finally worked out how to put the options in a Doodle poll, therefore please indicate interest using THIS POLL rather than my inferior effort advertised above (Martin - wise to delete the old one post haste, old boy, in case of any confusion, what?).

Done, sire.  And a most interesting collection of roles it is.  British, Zulus, Boers, Gun-runners, missionaries.....wow.

Martin (J)

Assegais up the Umfolozi – a Zulu War Kriegsspiel by Rufus Enterprises Inc

It is 1879. His Lordship Major General Lord Richard of Billericay was recently entrusted with part of Queen Victoria’s massive imperial military machine, and given the apparently easy task of crushing 20,000 Iron Age cattle herders inhabiting the fringe of her southern African territories, armed only with spears, clubs and cowhide shields, subsisting on cowsmilk and small quantities of grain and mealie, but capable of marching 50 miles a day on bare feet and an empty stomach.

An easy victory was expected, bringing prospects of accelerated promotion. But difficulties immediately presented themselves. The surf along almost all the coast made it impracticable to offload troops or supplies from ships, ruling out the coastal route. But the troops appeared incapable of marching overland without vast quantities of supplies and camping impedimenta, routinely requiring hundreds of ox-driven wagons to haul them over appalling dirt roads and through crocodile – infested quicksand river drifts.

His Lordship had to compete for both wagons and draught animals with the irritating Boer farmers who speak English with appalling accents and trek north in large numbers on the other side of the Drakensberg; HM Commissary refuses to pay more for transport than the low rate set by the government some years ago, and the Boers routinely outbid HM procurement agents.

Further, all of the horses, oxen and men which have been acquired have proved highly susceptible to the infectious diseases borne by the tsetse fly and the other loathsome ticks which infest the region. The surviving horses and oxen require to be extensively grazed for several hours each day, on good grassland which is hard to come by in this region of semi-arid thorn scrub. It is counted a major feat if a column marches more than 10 miles each day.

The shortage of transport meant that on the first campaign only part of the column was able to march at any one time; the wagons had then to be sent back to fetch up the remainder. This had the unfortunate consequence of forcing His Lordship to divide his forces, leaving the rearguard at a place called Isandhlwana (‘Place of the Doomed’), under his subordinate Edward Durnford.

Being a rearguard, these troops did not expect to be attacked, and were surprised and rather overwhelmed when 20,000 natives suddenly descended upon them, having crept through gullies in the broken country, and past the inadequate sentries.  

More than 1000 of the Queens soldiers entrusted to His Lordship’s command were killed horribly, their stomachs ripped open, their entrails dragged out, and  their modern Martini- Henry rifles stolen, together with two nine inch field guns (the ultimate disgrace). Honour was only partially salvaged when the 24th Foot subsequently defended the stores depot at Rorkes Drift for six hours – all the while managing passable renditions of ‘Men of Harlech’ and ‘Sospan Fach’, though hailing to a man from Birmingham.

His Lordship has so far been remarkably successful in deflecting the blame for this catastrophe onto Durnford, though this does not stop the editor of the scurrilous London broadsheet Punch, one Burlington Grumble Esq, from pillorying His Lordship regularly as ‘Tricky Dicky of Billericay’.

His Lordship is now hearing rumours however that his rival, the hated disciplinarian, Sir Garnet Wolseley, has been appointed over his head to take command of the campaign henceforth, and is already en route from England. This is already common knowledge in the Cape (and most likely in the kraals of Zululand too). Everyone is expecting His Lordship to make a major push to redeem his reputation by bringing the campaign to a successful conclusion before Wolseley can arrive on the scene to take the credit.

Doodle here http://doodle.com/poll/zvtprtcguh42mgf4

We had 12 attendees for the April game - our highest turn-out for several years.

We already have 9 signed-up for the Sunday 15th May Zulu War game, but can certainly fit more in.  If you're interested, please complete the doodle here http://doodle.com/poll/zvtprtcguh42mgf4

A wide range of roles is available, and you can use the doodle to express your preference.

Martin (J)

A reminder that our next Little Gaddesden k/spiel is in 2 weeks.  This game is on the 1879 Zulu War, set in the wake of the Isandlwana debacle, and is our last game before autumn.

We have 10 signed-up for this game so far, but can certainly fit more in.  If you're interested, please complete the doodle here http://doodle.com/poll/zvtprtcguh42mgf4

A wide range of roles is available, and you can use the doodle to express your preference.

Martin (J)

We have 10-11 players, so another excellent turn-out.   Bravo gentlemen.

Still room for more of course........see doodle here http://doodle.com/poll/zvtprtcguh42mgf4

Usual 11 am start at the village hall.  

Paul is intending to circulate briefings by email before the game, and is currently putting the finishing touches to them.

As ever it would be helpful if you can bring pens, washable pens and scrap paper if you can please.

Martin (J)