Attack after attack is successfully repulsed, but the square is still struggling to cross the donga.
 

The British commander makes a huge tactical error by releasing the 17th Lancers from inside the square too early. They are attacked on both the left and right flanks and are wiped out; but only after inflicting heavy casualties on the Zulus.
 


In the end, there were only three effective Zulu iviyo (units) remaining out of the original ten, while the British square was still intact and strong. We figured that the remaining Zulus would have had little or no chance to stop the British square so we called it a British victory.


Let me close with some Zulu trivia. The word “kraal” means “corral” in the Afrikaans language which is what the Boer (Dutch) settlers speak. Afrikaans is derived from the original Dutch language of the first settlers. When I was in South Africa I learned that Zulus do not like to hear their “homesteads” referred to as “corrals”, even though the old Zulu kraals did serve the dual function of both living space and corral. Anyway, just keep this in mind in case you ever meet a real life Zulu!

Happy Gaming!

“Bwana Bill”
(photo credits to my son Andy)

Wargaming "War of the Worlds"?

Now that there is a new movie out on WotW, there appears to be a lot more interest in H. G. Wells' original story which is set in 1898 England. When I was at Historicon I saw a group of people playing a Victorian Era War of the World's scenario. They used a set of rules called "G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T" that deals with SF battles in the Victorian Era. I suppose that the next time I go to an HMGS convention, I will have to pick up a copy and check it out.

Anyway, these guys were using Martian tripods that have been commercialy available for quite some time; long before the movie appeared. They can be found at www.tin-soldier.com for $30. So my question is this; if someone were to have a bunch of WWI Brits and one of these tripods, what would stop him from having little bit of WotW fun that would be a bit more faithful to the original story than our current Hollywood production? Just "food for thought."

"Bwana Bill"

Useful Modifications to “The Sword and the Flame” Rules

For those of you that are collecting figures for Sword and the Flame (TSATF), I came across a modification that you should be aware of. This modification could be very important to you since it could save you quite a lot of money, or allow you to get started before you have finished collecting everything you need to play. The modification is basically this: 8 figures per unit instead of 20. A gent named Mark Fastoso came up with this. Mark is writing a scenario book on the 1879 Zulu War and I participated in a play testing of one of these scenarios, the Battle of Intombe, at Cold Wars. It works quite well and it allows you to field more units without increasing the number of figures. Best of all, it could allow you to get started, or branch out into a different aspect of TSATF, without having to acquire an extensive collection of figures. For example; I now have an extensive collection of British and Zulu figures and I can stage large scenarios using 20 figure units. However, I recently got an urge to branch out into French Foreign Legion (FFL) scenarios for TSATF. Using Mark’s modification I can now do this without having to collect and paint a huge number of FFL figures. I have talked to other gamers who use these modifications with 10 figures per unit.

Before you try playing this way you have to change a few other procedures in the TSATF rules, this is what Mark suggests:

1. Unit Sizes: These scenarios use smaller units than traditional Sword and the Flame. Infantry units have 7 soldiers and 1 leader figure. Cavalry have 5 soldiers and 1 leader figure. Artillery has 2 figures, each figure counting for 2 firing dice.

2. Stragglers: Since units are smaller the “straggle die” is reduced. When an infantry unit charges roll one d6. 1-2 = One Straggler, 3-4 = Two Stragglers, 5 = Three Stragglers, 6 = No Stragglers.

3. Officer Pistol Rule: Do not use the officer pistol rule. Count the officer as having a rifle. If your group really likes the officer pistol rule feel free to use it, but we have found that a game with 8 figure units works a little better without it.

4. Movement: Cavalry move 5d6 and charge 6d6. Artillery move 3d6 and not firing or 1d6 and fire.

BTW, when I was at Historicon I learned that Mark’s Zulu War scenario book should be available for purchase in time for Cold Wars which will run November 11-13, 2005.

Happy Gaming!
Bwana Bill

A Starship Troopers Pictorial Battle Report

The mission was simple. Get from one corner of the table to the far opposite corner. Far too many bugs made this simple mission a suicide run.


It's a bug planet... 

Turn two, the bugs are on the move - the green markers are bugs travling underground. 

From the MI point of view - the bugs are far too close. 

The LT in his M-8 Ape suit prepares to sell his life dear, along with those of his troops.  

Surrounded. Bugs everywhere! Make ready!! 

They're heeeerrrreee!! 

The LTs last stand.  

LT goes down fighting, his men attempt to maneuver and fire - away from the bugs.  

More bugs swarm out of the multitude of holes.  

Leaving the LTs body in the dust, the warrior bugs charge the survivors of his squad. 

CPL Custer at your service sir! Last stand time. The brave MI die in place, defending a stinking planet no one wanted in the first place.  

Flying bugs. Can it get any worse?!? 

Flamer or not, losing your head means the fight's over.  

Three survivors, bloodied and hounded by flying bugs, finally make it to the LZ and evacuate to the sounds of their squadmates dying screams. 

An Introduction

Dear Gamers,
Keith has invited me to join him as a co-blogger on this site. Thanks Keith! I have been wargaming since my adolescent days. That is, if you count the old Avalon Hill board games. I guess I got into tabletop about 20 years ago. Anyway, I have done a variety of things, but my specialty these days is "The Sword and the Flame" (TSATF). Last summer I went on safari to South Africa, and yes, I mean a rifle toting safari like in the days of yore, not a photo safari. (Although I took some pictures too, of course.) During the second week of my trip I went on a battlefield tour and saw some of the more significant places from the Boer-Zulu war of 1838, the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, and the 1900-03 Anglo-Boer War. I have posted a couple pictures from that trip; on top is Rorke's Drift and below is Isandlwana. And of course I have a large collection of 25mm figures for gaming the 1879 war. So I guess you could say I'm a bit of an aficionado on all things concerning South Africa; hence the nickname "Bwana Bill." So, if you ever have any particular questions about any of that, I'd be glad to try to help.
More later,
Bwana Bill

No More Guest Blogging!!!

Well, perhaps that is not entirely correct.

So let me restate that.

Welcome "Bwana" Bill as my cohort in crime (in a manner of speaking!) and new partner in Blogging!

Welcome aboard Bill! Keep the great AARs coming!

Kuh-Razy Keith