Azande vs Force Publique - with pictures

[James Morris]

Well, having played the game on Tues eve, it's about time I posted the pics.  I must apologise for the poor quality...in the course of a busy day, my opponent had forgotten to buy new light bulbs for his kitchen/gaming hall lights, and I need a better camera!  Anyway, excuses made, on with the action.

We played the Ambush scenario from Chris Peers' 'Death in the Dark Continent' rules; in homage to the Azande's great victory over the Force Publique in 1897, James W played the Belgians under attack from my Azande under the warlord Bafuka.  The Force Publique came on to the table piecemeal with a view to reaching the safety of their trading post at the end of the 6' table; my Azande were entirely placed in ambush across the table ready to provide a warm welcome.
Here are a few of my Azande hiding behind their shields prior to action...
 
The Force Publique soldiers tentatively move up the path:



And straight into the muskets of the Azande.  While the game was marked by pretty poor dice rolling all round, the Belgians' was particularly terrible!  The Azande caused a few Disorder markers, while the FP missed everything.

[James Morris]

Here are a few more of the Azande hidden nearby:

As the FP continued down the path, Azande in ambush caused morale tests left, right, and centre, most of which were failed by the Belgians (round markers are Disorder Markers - 3 is bad news in DitDC as you are not allowed to advance towards the enemy.)

FP under fire - Azande ambushers can just be seen at the top right:

The Azande 'Aparanga' elite warriors prepare to leap out on the hapless Belgians:

And do so, hitting the flank of a unit of demoralised Force Publique soldiers, with predictable results.

[James Morris]

Mid-game, the Belgians (top) have made very little headway onto the table.  Azande ambushes have wiped out a couple of units, the only success for the FP troops has been an attack by allied cannibal warriors (top right) which has driven off a single Azande unit.

This really poorly-focused shot is included only as an illustration of how little the warlord Bafuka contributed to the game!  You can see him, bottom centre, watching the battle with his white-uniformed bodyguard.

The final Belgian soldier unit succumbs to a hail of throwing knives and spears:

Game over!  The Azande close in on all sides of the Belgian baggage and commander.

The last Belgians prepare to sell their lives dearly...


It was a good game, with a historical result, but James W had some pretty shocking dice rolls.  Added to that, the scenario is pretty hard to win for the chap being ambushed (I’ve played it twice with the same result both times) and I will certainly fiddle with the details next time we play it.  My next job is to finish off my Azande village, so maybe the FP will pay a return visit sometime...

[marianas_gamer]

Great AAR.  I particularly like the Azande force with their striking shields.  The disordered markers are also a great touch.
LB

[Christian]

Wow! Those shields!! 

[H.M.Stanley]

Wow! Those Azande really do look good close up.

I'm certainly up for a return bout at some point. Next time i chose the scenario and terrain 

I'd forgotten just how enjoyable DitDC are as a set of rules.

Thanks for the game.

James

[traveller]

Nice game you have there. I might steal that shield pattern from you, it is just awesome 

[Plynkes]

Digging those Zande shields. They're the business.

I might steal that shield pattern from you, it is just awesome 

If you are feeling particularly masochistic, bear in mind that the design is visible on the reverse of a Zande shield as well as the front. 



I got a shedload of these guys to paint, and all I can say is sod that for a game of soldiers! 

[Traveler Man]

Excellent AAR, lovely eye-candy!  It makes me really want to get back to my own Darkest African gaming. Thanks for sharing. 

[Marine0846]

Great looking AAR.
Looked to be a lot of fun.
Thanks for sharing.

[Bugsda]

If you are feeling particularly masochistic, bear in mind that the design is visible on the reverse of a Zande shield as well as the front.  

You bastard!  

[James Morris]

Nice game you have there. I might steal that shield pattern from you, it is just awesome 

Nothing to steal, all the shields are based on the real thing!  (You just need to be mad enough to paint it.)  Fortunately for my sanity, I decided NOT to paint the backs as well...

I'll take some more pics of the army at some point and post them if people want to see the other designs - each unit has its own.

[chicklewis]

Really nice looking, esp the Azande shields ! 

They make mine painted with simpler patterns look downright drab. 

[guitarheroandy]

Great looking game and figures!
It's a pity that there isn't a rule set called 'Death on the NW Frontier' as I have figures for that...!! Mr Peers...are you listening? 

[H.M.Stanley]

Great looking game and figures!
It's a pity that there isn't a rule set called 'Death on the NW Frontier' as I have figures for that...!! Mr Peers...are you listening? 

Sword and the Flame works for me for NWF