British in the Congo

[mortimer]

Hi folks, after some months lost in time and space I've return to work in some minis...

I'm working in some RugaRugas -pictures coming soon- and I've ordered some british for a small force in Congoland...

I've think in a couple of units of british azande, and some british forces... what about some highlanders and a Perry's Heliograph Section? krazy?
They must wear kakhi uniforms? And what about the tartans? I know is a not-very-historic force, but It would be very fun to work on it...
I know there were some british incursions in Belgian Congo... it's correct?

Ideas? Recomendations? Thanks for all

[Ray Rivers]

I agree with Plynkes.

Where is he, BTW... 

 

[mortimer]

Hi, Ray, how are you?

I don't understand you... agree with Plynkes?

[Plynkes]

I agree with Plynkes too. Or at least I will once I've figured out what he's going to say.


I'm not aware of much in the way of British military 'incursions' into the Congo Free State. A British naval expedition went via the Belgian Congo on its way to Tanganyika, but that was in 1915. Lots of Brits were in the Congo, of course, but mostly explorers and mercenaries, and they were working for Leopold.

However, both Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company and King Leopold courted the Katanga warlord Msiri, who ruled a Ruga-Ruga-style state there. But Rhodes' expedition was one of explorers and emissaries, not military conquerors. The area was within the bounds claimed by the Free State but as Leopold had done nothing to settle the area it was seen as fair game. But the expedition came to nothing. Msiri was murdered in the end by Free State forces (led by a British-Canadian chap actually) and Msiri's little Katangan empire was added to the Congo Free State.

Now you could turn this into a what-if three-way campaign, if you imagine the BSAC had gone through with the plan and sent an army. But I'm not imagining the Blues and Royals, the Grenadier Guards and the Black Watch being sent there. I think it would have been a few white adventurers and a load of locally-raised askari. Might make for a bit of fun though, with Belgians and Brits trying to woo Msiri, and the possibility of conflict being sparked between any or all of the three parties.

I believe the "In the Heart of Africa" army list book does actually have a Msiri list (a variant of "The Elephant Hunters").

By the way, whilst looking something up I came upon this charming picture of Msiri's favourite wife:

I must say, I rather like that porn-star top she's wearing. Most becoming.  

[mortimer]

Hahaha, the Msiri porn-fashion, sure she was his favourite!!

Thanks Mr. Plynkes for your erudite and useful comments... a great help, you're really an african story scholar!!!  

Some of my new ruga-rugas... bad light, bad camera... well...  

[Malamute]

I must say, I rather like that porn-star top she's wearing. Most becoming.  

She looks a bit cold though

I wholeheartedly agree with Monsieur Plynkes too.

[Svennn]

I disagree with Plynkes just to be pedantic 

[Plynkes]

Well that's history. But of course, you don't have to be bound by that if you don't want. Who wouldn't want to see Highlanders fighting Belgian askari and Ruga-Ruga?

Just win a general election, stack the cabinet with sympathetic pals, stir up war fever in the yellow press, and push a vote through parliament authorising a military expedition to Katanga! You can send whatever regiments you like. Just let me get my jabs and I'll come with you.



Back to history: Sadly, Maria de Fonseca came to a bad end. Turns out she was implicated in betraying her husband to the Belgians. Msiri's son lopped off her head with a machete while standing on her back. Nice. 

[Plynkes]

I like your Ruga-Ruga, Mortimer. More, please!



That reminds me, have a few to do of my own. I ought to be in the other room painting rather than sat in here gassing...

[Dewbakuk]

And to add a figure option, North Star make British South Africa Company figures. In fact I spoke to Nick yesterday and he had just been discussing the next set of figures for the range with Mike Owen (Artizan). The sculptor who did the current ones isn't in the picture anymore as he took too long to do anything.

[mortimer]

I like your Ruga-Ruga, Mortimer. More, please!

That reminds me, have a few to do of my own. I ought to be in the other room painting rather than sat in here gassing...

Yes, I will take more photos, I have six for basing and about 12 more in the workbench... RU-RU-RU-RUGA!!

And let's see, perhaps a britain campaign in Congo begins... an alternate history -I'm not sure to find a word in english to define it, in spanish it's called "ucronía": UCHRONIC???

[Plynkes]

In English Uchronia means something slightly different: things like R.E. Howard's Hyboria, or Tolkien's Middle Earth. Stories set in our world's past, but in some vague time period that isn't really defined.

[mortimer]

In English Uchronia means something slightly different: things like R.E. Howard's Hyboria, or Tolkien's Middle Earth. Stories set in our world's past, but in some vague time period that isn't really defined.

Then it's not the same, I think, ucronía is an alternate history, like describes in wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_history

"What if" like...

[Ray Rivers]

Hi, Ray, how are you?

Muy bien, y tu?

Las miniaturas son maravillosas. 

[Smokeyrone]

My GF has big boobies.

I love where you're going with this thing (Brits in the Congo)  I am doing the same, but in 15mm