In the Heart of Africa/Death in the Dark Continent - Explorers

[H.M.Stanley]

3rd unit of Askari with another [reserve] Explorer

[H.M.Stanley]

the random events [i forgot to incl the ELC baby elephant!]

[H.M.Stanley]

I need to do multiple flags for the Standard Bearer [Imperial Germany, Zanzibar, US and Belgium/CFS*] and finish the 2nd section of Porters

Oh and varnish both the Explorers and Cannibals, but otherwise we're good to go ...

* typical that our access to the colour copier at work has been knobbled so Zanzibar may be first up  

[H.M.Stanley]

A shot of my ASB complete with Imperial German Colonial Warflag. I can pop on a Union Jack or Zanzibari standard onto the flagstaff depending on the scenario

[H.M.Stanley]

Hi. Would anyone be interested in a straight exchange for painted Wissmanntruppe Askaris [20ish incl Shutztruppe(sp?)] for Force Republique types?

[H.M.Stanley]

I used to feel the same to an extent, caught up in the persona of the rakish Victorian sex explorer. He's certainly colourful and interesting. Since reading Tim Jeal's Nile book, though, I've gone off him rather a lot, and find myself unexpectedly in the Speke camp (you have to take sides in this, I'm making that a Colonial Adventures rule: We'll have no fence-sitters here ).

I think by the time they were in Tanganyika his well of courage, dash and adventuring spirit had run dry. Gone were the madcap exploits of earlier years. He was quite happy to stay safely in Kazeh, relaxing and smoking with his Arab slaver pals and fucking himself stupid, and let Speke do the exploring (yes he was ill, but so was Speke). And then he had the gall to resent Speke's success, and pretty-much dedicated the rest of his life to blackening his erstwhile friend's name. All because he couldn't stand the fact that Jack had been right. The only reason he championed Livingstone's Tanganyika/Lualaba theory was to spite Speke and his Victoria Nyanza theory. His behaviour was akin to that of a screaming toddler, and unforgivable.

A great character, fascinatingly entertaining man to read about, and refreshingly unconventional for his age (in some areas, very much not so in others: Unlike Speke who seemed genuinely interested in Africans and their culture, Burton despised them). But a petty-minded, jealous, and chronically belligerent and contrary man. He could get into an row locked in a room by himself, I swear. All in all, something of a c***, albeit a compelling one.


Hark at me, rambling on. Fascinating subject though, isn't it?

I'm about 50% through Jeal's book. My admiration for Burton (the myth) has been shattered. Can't wait to see what he does with Stanley  

James

[H.M.Stanley]

Going through my figures yesterday, i have core forces, admittedly with some figures still unpainted or because i have added options for:

1. Explorers
2. Cannibals
3. Force Publique
4. German East Africa
5. Naval Landing Party (if i use my Sikhs and double duty with Askari)

I must do a proper Native army one of these days as i cheated with the Cannibals using just the one figure per base and foliage ..

[kidterminal]

I'm about 50% through Jeal's book. My admiration for Burton (the myth) has been shattered. Can't wait to see what he does with Stanley  

James

It's a great book so much to learn there.

[H.M.Stanley]

It is - one of my favourite books on the Explorers