136 years to the day...

[Kommando_J]

On this day 1879 the Prince Imperial Napoléon Eugène Louis Jean Joseph Bonaparte met his end whilst scouting for the British during the Anglo-Zulu war.

Thought this was worth a mention.

[Steve63]

Bummer

[Harry Faversham]

I well recall a participation game at Sheffield Triples many years ago, it was based on the death of the Prince Imperial. All the game involved, once the Zulus were spotted, was saddling up your horse and then legging it from a deserted village to the opposite table edge. As you galloped along the table filled with chasing Zulus from all sides, some of 'em skulking in a ravine that had to be crossed to reach safety. It was one of the most original and fun games I've ever seen.
We still play it now and again, adapted to the Great Plains. The Red River patrol trying to outrun the Cheyenne. One game my daughter and I were outstripping the Redskins when an arrow killed her horse and tumbled her in the dust. My first instinct was to make good my getaway while the screaming savages were occupied giving her a new haircut. Wargaming is an educational journey for the young, so I did the noble thing, reined in and offered her a gauntlet. She put the muzzle of her Colt Army to my forehead and squeezed off, nicked mi' 'orse as I went down, and galloped off to safety. As I said wargaming's educational...
I've never trusted the little bitch since!

[Ming]

Staines Wargamers "Death in the Donga" was the game. Converted Foundry Indian mutiny figures for the Brits & Warrior zulu. How spoilt for choice of figures we are now!

[Harry Faversham]

That's the one M, I'd got it into my head it was called 'A run in Zululand' for some reason? I was lucky enough to get a set of rules from one of the Staines lads on the day. It's still as much fun to play now as it was then... certainly find out who yer friends are as the baddies close in from all sides!

[Ming]

Glad to know it's not forgotten. The guys from Staines put on some cracking games, 55 minutes at Peking being one of the best. More up to date they do a game based on the charge of the light brigade. THAT'S the one you get to find out who your mates are!

[Atheling]

Wasn't he sent 'scouting' to give him something to do where he was out of harms way?

Backfire!

And of course, certainly not the only backfire in the early campaigns of the war!

Darrell.