I’m Not Doing Maori-Here They Are

I decided not to do the Maori Wars.  I am interested, but the lack of suitable and readily available 15mm figures  put me off.  Also, while I’ve read a bit including some excellent blogs like this one 

https://arteis.wordpress.com/category/periods/colonial-new-zealand-wars/

I realise I don’t know enough yet.  The appeal of the Pa and the Haka still lingers though. Not least because I've met some interesting Maori folk in my time.

I have just bought a DVD of the acclaimed Anglo-Maori War film UTU!  I missed it first time around in the 80s but never lost interest. I'ts a German release and seems to be a first for region 2. It’s a good film by anyone’s standards. Naturally it made me think once again about my decision.

As it happens I have about half a dozen African figures from Irregular and they are currently without a project to call their own.  They all have guns and some sort of skirt or loin cloth. Of course I’m still in the grip of conversion mania – people are scared to enter the house in case they are immediately modified with Green Stuff.

Well, you can guess the rest, so here’s the before.

The finished figures will appear shortly once I've added feathers and Meres and such like and painted them.  Tattoos in 15mm, that will be interesting.

Now this does not necessarily mean I will be turning out Regulars and Rangers and Militia and more Maori for TMWWBK.  No, not at the moment-but you could say it is a significant step. 

The Maori were fond of the shot gun a trait they shared with the Xhosa who also liked a scrap in close country.  Shot guns aren’t much use at a distance but at close range they’re a hellish weapon. Tactically then the Imperials should endeavour to optimise their long and medium range fire power while the Maori should favour opening up at point blank.  

In terms of TMWWBK I think the Maori could be either Veteran Irregular Infantry with Field Craft at 6 points or Tribal Infantry but hitting when firing on a 5 rather than just a 6. That would be the shot gun effect and I’d cost such a unit at 4 points rather than 3.  So, around 5 units then. 

Such a unit would absolutely murderous in close combat so the trick would be to stop them getting too close.  If that means a major emphasis on scouting and occasionally firing blind into the Fern so be it.  Period flavour you might say.

Now speaking of the Mersey-Leck school of tabletop fun you may know that we can expect a new Osprey Rule Book from them in 2019.  It will be called Rebels and Patriots and naturally enough it's aimed at war in the Americas.  Here's a link to Michael's blog.

http://dalauppror.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/rebels-and-patriots-wargaming-rules-for.html

I've no doubt it will be very good but what excites me is that it's intended to cover everything from the French and Indian War through to the ACW-including the Mexican War.  Five minutes considering the Mexican Army and the 1812 British and you quickly realise we are going to have the official view on Nap' Rampant stats.

There's Ridgeway to consider too.  I'd decided not to do Ridgeway or Maori or the Cape Wars.

Once More Beyond the Khyber

A cheap and cheerful British Expeditionary Force for TMWWBK action beyond the Khyber Pass.  All 15mm from Irregular.

Here are the Highlanders, there will be three units of them.

A gun.

And of course, Bengal Lancers.  

The Afghan resistance are provided by Irregular and Minifigs.  

Those Lancer figures would be ideal for Fayne's Horse in the Opium War.

Tiger Men

I’ve just about finished my Boxers and Chinese Imperials for TMWWBK, just a couple of Jingals to base.

Here’s the penultimate unit, Tiger Men from Blue Moon, they are very good figures and a pleasure to paint. 

Although all the Tiger Men models I’ve ever seen carry only a sword and shield in practice fire arms were part of their kit.  Sometimes they were fired through a slot in the shield. 

Tiger Men, contrary to what we might assume, were high grade skirmishers rather than do or die assault troops.  Their function, often supported by Jingals was to disrupt the enemy. 

One of the things they trained for was dealing with cavalry.  In this drill the Tiger Men broke into small units and formed tight defensive circles crouching (below sabre reach) and covering each other with their shields.  

When the cavalry broke up to surround them, presumably slashing ineffectively, the Tiger men would suddenly leap up yelling and thrusting their garishly painted shields at the horses’ eyes while cutting at the riders.  The idea being the startled cuddies would shy away and unbalance their riders thus rendering them more vulnerable to attack.

I have not come across any such encounter between Tiger Men and European cavalry but it’s a nice story so I thought I'd share it.

Was there ever a Haberdasher so plucky?

Bhekisisa (Black shields) is staring down the barrel of McHearty’s ominous looking gun he orders his men to go to ground.  They do so reluctantly.  

N’Konkoni (Red shields) is now behind the flank of McHearty’s gun and within easy charge distance his warriors begin to sing and to beat their assegais against their shields.

Ibubesi (mixed colour shields) and Indlovu (Black and White shields) tear into Mr Dewhurst’s volunteers at the double.  The volunteers are swiftly overrun but go down fighting causing 6 Zulu casualties, but wait, what’s this? 

Mr Dewhurst is still on his feet trading blows with Indlovu.  Was there ever a Haberdasher so plucky?

Mapoza sings out the command and his no longer silent warriors roll down the hill in a wave.  

Turvey’s Sailors turn to meet them. “Where did they come from?” Asks the Captain.  

The fighting is fierce and the eight Zulu warriors lie stricken but only five of the Sailors remain on their feet.  Old Topsey is one of them, he’s the very Devil with revolver and sword. 

Addendum

Mc Hearty gets off a shell but then the warriors are on him, he gets one before it’s all over.

Captain Turvey and the Tars fight to the end but it quickly comes.

Gallant Mr Dewhurst is, well, butchered.

Sgt Fagan has led his men off at the double and intends to be as far away as possible as quickly as he can.  He will enjoy some fleeting fame as the only (White) survivor of the encounter and be promoted to Inspector.  In due course he will become a magistrate, always strangely popular with the natives. 

Bengal Lancers

Soon (ish) we will be off to the North-West Frontier with TMWWBK and so I invested in some sight unseen Irregular Miniatures Bengal Lancers.

I almost always like to see before I buy but Mr Kay does a good pugaree, perhaps the best, and so I took a chance.  I’m glad I did as I find these little fellows full of character.  Here they are and I hope you like them.

Next, we return to Natal. By the way, and not entirely off topic, Queen Victoria had a dog called Looty, from the Hindi "Lut" meaning plunder.  Not many people know that.  Could that be Michael Caine behind the binoculars?

The Indunas

Mapoza is in position, invisible to the foe, his silent warriors ready to strike.  He will wait until the horns of the Impi have engaged and then storm the gun and kill the gunners. He is re inforced.

N’Konkoni (Red shields) races for the hills on the British flank.  N’Konkoni has now seized the high ground on the British flank.  Bhekisisa (Black shields) could do the same, but decides to go straight at the foe to fix them in position. They both move forward, Bhekisisa’s men now in the open and vulnerable to fire. 

Ibubesi (mixed colour shields) and Indlovu (Black and White shields) can see the British volunteers and intend destroying them before setting about the various Cape tribesmen who have cunningly taken up position in the rear. Off they go at a sprint.

Captain Turvey can now see there is no point in going for the high ground as there are Zulus on it.  He ponders, perhaps he’ll stay where he is.

A frantic McHearty orders his men to move the gun and secure a target and this they do.

Mr Dewhurst suggests to the chaps that they shoot at the Zulus.  They do, and down a couple but not the fellow with the blue feather who seems to be some sort of ring leader.   The fellows seem happy enough, Captain Turvey’s Sailors are protecting their flank and the very competent Sgt Fagan is waiting behind them in case they might need help.

Sgt Fagan holds his position but he’s thinking ahead.

“I’ve cleared your field of fire Mr Dewhurst!”

The Zulus jog forward, the horns of the Impi moving out to turn the flanks of the British.  Just as mighty Shaka had decreed they should.  The lie of the land means that only the Zulu flanks are visible to the British.

A sailor sings out the soon to be immortalised words “Zulus! Sir, there seems to be quite a few of them".  There is a flurry of activity in the British camp.

Captain Turvey knows what to do, he’ll lead the sailors at the double up onto the high ground and secure the flank!  He’ll order close order and give them a volley!  He’ll let the Tars fire at long range to warn them off!  Somehow, he cannot make his mind up.

McHearty and the gun crew wheel the gun into position and are ready to teach the Zulu all about the value of modern ordinance, but they can’t as the Sailors are masking the on coming Zulus. 

Dewhurst decides to tell his lads about duty and the Queen Empress-they seem a little fidgety.

The ever efficient Fagan smartly leads his natives to the rear of Dewhurst’s men and loudly proclaims “I’ve cleared your field of fire Mr Dewhurst!”

It’s Awfully Quiet Out There TMWWBK

It’s time to try the Impi out. 

Here we have a hastily assembled Imperial force on its way to the border of Zulu land.  The core of the force is reliable enough being comprised of Royal Navy Sailors and a gun. There should have been some good mounted infantry too but they haven’t turned up*.  The supporting troops are volunteers from the Colony, poor shots as they are mainly counter wallopers or worse, and a native contingent.  Still, no one expects the Zulu to cross the river.  

I've given all of the commanders randomly generated Leader Values and Traits (like so) for players of TMWWBK, if you don't play lower numbers are better.

In command, we have Captain Foxlet Turvey (7+) known to his Tars as ‘Topsey’.  Captain Turvey is a Rum victim who never the less can be expected to march from A to B though not necessarily in a straight line. 

The gun is commanded by Bosun McHearty (5+) a capable son of the Empire. 

Sgt Fagan (5+) has been seconded from the Natal Police to lead the native contingent and is a model of efficiency and a secret coward.

 

Mr Dewhurst (7+), Dewhurst’s Quality Haberdashery, leads the Cape Colony Volunteer Rifles, he doesn’t really know what he’s doing, but- it shouldn’t matter.

The Zulus are led by:

Ibubesi (6+) (mixed colour shields) a capable and steady leader.

Indlovu (6+) (Black and White shields) capable, but a traditionalist, his men are short of ammo.

Mapoza (5+) (White shields) is destined for greatness.

Khethiwe (5+) (White on Black shields) is an up and at them sort of Induna and a veteran commander.

Bhekisisa (5+) (Black shields) is another destined for greatness.

N’Konkoni (5+) (Red shields) is thought in Induna circles to be a thoroughly good chap as well as a capable commander.  His nick-name is ‘The Slaughterer’.

The game opens with the British breaking camp and forming line of march.

* As dictated by the scenario, the British are outnumbered.

Non Mint Imperials

Not all imperial forces in the high days of nineteenth century colonialism were made up of superbly drilled, well-armed professionals- sometimes commanders had to just make do with what was to hand.  Most of my force to oppose the Zulus are irregulars which should be fun. 

The Natal Native Contingent as Tribal.

 The European civilians will pretty much do for anywhere.  

The fellows on horse will be Mounted Infantry.

The Sailors and gun will be Regulars.

Project Round Up

You will have noticed I have a few small projects on the go.  I thought I’d do a quick round up to remind myself where I’ve got to.

French and Indian Wars

All done apart from two bases of abatis.  Though I’m tempted to add some French standard bearers in full uniform as opposed to waistcoats.

Jacobites ’19 and ‘45

A lowland/ English unit, the Irish Piquets and another unit of Highlanders to paint.

Boxers

I have a Russian force to paint and I want some of the new Blue Moon Tigermen and Jingals.  I have enough ready for a game of The Men Who Would Be Kings.  I’ve also got a lot of Chinese scenery planned.

Chariots Rampant

Two Syrian chariots to paint and we are game ready. 

Nap' Rampant
Awaiting figures but a good start made.

Romans Rampant

I’m finessing the stats which is proving straightforward and searching out what figures I have to hand.  The latter is good reflection of later Roman realities-you field the army you can rather than the one you’d like to.  Luckily, I found an unpainted legion, well 12 figures, it wouldn’t have been a show without Punch.

Zulu War

Both sides are now done, cattle have been bought, painted and based.  I’ll stick some pics up shortly. 

Most of this is Dan Mersey's fault and I thank him for it.  Lots of lost projects revitalised there.

That’s the Impi Done

Six units in all, three veterans, three fierce, three married, three unmarried.  Wedded men are veterans all, as those of us who abide within the institution know.  

It is possible to adjust the stats further if you fancy having an elite regiment for example. Strictly speaking the younger men could move faster than the older lads but I hesitate to tinker with the movement rules.  As it stands Zulus, in TMWWBK, can always move and that should nicely reflect their speed.

I’ll use them in the traditional fashion formed up to represent the horns, head and loins of a fighting bull.  The horns will seek to turn the enemy’s flanks, the head will fix the enemy and absorb the punishment and the loins will deliver the coup de grace.

Maximising the use of cover is going to be important with these lads.

Jingals in The Men Who Would Be Kings

There are no stats for Jingals in The Men Who Would Be Kings.  Of course, if you have Boxer, or Imperials or Tai Ping troops you want Jingals.

Right then, what do we know about Jingals?  Basically, a Jingal was like a big shot gun with a two- man crew.  At short range, it could be very effective at long range it was nearly useless.  It was though very mobile, a Jingal and crew could easily keep up with infantry.  They were often used from cover or concealment.  You can see two of them, mounted on tripods, front and centre, below. Sometimes there was no tripod with one of the crew resting the weapon on his shoulder instead.

I’m rating mine as follows: Irregular crewed weapon, 2 crew three dice each, range ‘3 (for 15mm), speed ‘3. A Jingal crews only defence against close quarter assault was to evade it so their free movement will be skirmish.  I’m thinking a cost of 2 points, possibly 3.

While we are on the subject Blue Moon 15/18mm have released a lovely bag of Jingals and crews under the title of Chinese Wall Guns.

Zulu Stuff

I got a copy of Dan Mersey’s A Wargamers Guide to the Anglo Zulu War at a good price.  It’s a very nice, well produced affair containing pretty much what you would want to know. 

The tone is pleasantly conversational and as you would expect-informed.  Strangely, Dan does not mention his own splendid Men Who Would Be King in the rules round up towards the back.  Old fashioned modesty perhaps, anyway it doesn’t matter because you can clearly see from the historical material what inspired the thinking behind his ‘tribal firepower’ rule.  All in all, it’s a grand little purchase.  

The Impi, as you can see is coming on a treat.  Just one unit left to paint and then its horns, head and loins on the table.

Here’s a pic of the Old Glory Chinese Legation armed civilians handy enough for the Cape too.

Nap’ Rampant

Belatedly, I came across mention of Eagle Rampant (a Napoleonic Lion Rampant) and then Dragoon Rampant-Ditto but for the Peninsula War and subsequently Rifleman’s Lament based on The Pikeman’s Lament.  

All good stuff, so of course I succumbed.

A visit to the Bits Box and I was in business give or take a couple of discrete purchases.

While I pondered I realised these are the type of rules needed for the ’98 in Ireland.  First though I need some figures.  Khurasan have them, but they have not been released.  When they are ready I will be too.

Meantime, with only one Zulu unit left to paint my thoughts are turning to Spain.  Mr Mersey seems to have pulled off the DBA effect by creating an engine that everyone wants to use. 

Zulus, 32 of them!

All Old Glory 15mms and based for The Men Who Would Be Kings.  These ones are the married warriors with head rings.  Nice figures I think, with a lot of variety.  They seem to be slightly smaller than the OG Ancients figures I have.  

The bag produced enough figures for three units of 16 figures with spares left over. Six figures are armed with a rifle.

I’ve ordered a bag of Zulus in full ‘uniform’ too.  That will give six units in all and should I want, a unit of skirmishers.  So in terms of the Impi a 1-4-1 formation for horns, chest and loins of the bull. 

They are quite time consuming to paint but worth it I think. You do have to glue the shields on.