Author Topic: A Napoleon killed by Zulus (Read 5636 times)

Golgotha · « **on:** February 22, 2016, 09:57:53 PM »

A Napoleon killed by Zulus - Idea for a skirmish Anglo Zulu War game? see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napol%C3%A9on,_Prince_Imperial and http://www.napoleonicsociety.com/english/zululanda.htm

Romark · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2016, 10:43:09 PM »

Didn't Captain Blood put this game on some time ago ? Perhaps someone could link the articles for the poster ?

Silent Invader · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2016, 10:51:19 PM »

Captain Blood & Malamute have hosted the game on a number of occasions

This is the only report I could find:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=23177.msg282999#msg282999

I've played it more recently

Harry Faversham · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2016, 11:02:48 PM »

I first saw the game at Sheffield Triples many, many years ago. I believe back then it was called 'A Run in Zululand'? Playing card driven, with the British/French, having to saddle up and gallop from one end of the table t'other as it filled up with angry Zulu warriors. Not many made it, but great fun was had by all, I've got the rules kicking about somewhere.

Golgotha · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2016, 12:00:43 AM »

Wow that looks and sounds great... Making said scenario card driven makes sense and would help create a certain urgency and unpredictability. Any suggestions for rules?

Malamute · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2016, 08:59:19 AM »

Quote from: Golgotha on February 23, 2016, 12:00:43 AM

Wow that looks and sounds great... Making said scenario card driven makes sense and would help create a certain urgency and unpredictability. Any suggestions for rules?

I have the rules we used. They were originally printed in one of the Wargames Illustrated spin off magazines called Wargames World. Its a very simple set using two packs of playing cards. Movement is simple, standard move on foot 4" mounted 8", each figure draws a card for movement. On the turn of card a black card add 2", a red card minus 2". Zulu's have a standard 6" move.
Combat is a straight cut of the deck with the opponent guessingh igher or lower to win the combat. Each figure had a series of wounds they could take and dependent on where you were hit determines whetehr you lose movemnt points or combat points etc. Tunring a Black Jack would make you fall over.
The Birtish players have to saddle their horses and ride from one end of the table to the other negotiating a donga on the way. Its every man for himself, but the Prince Imperial should be protected etc.

As Silent Invader says Captain Blood and I have run it a few times at BLAM. The boards he made have been repurposed now for his cave wars game. Here is his build thread:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=20284.0

Captain Blood · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2016, 09:05:01 AM »

Yes, it was a scenario originally devised and staged by Staines Wargamers around 25 years ago, as published in 'Battle' or one of the other wargaming mags of the time. The game was called 'Death or Dishonour' and largely based on another article / book (?) called Captain Carey's Blunder, which told the story of the demise of the Prince Imperial. I think it may even have been by Donald Featherstone. Or maybe I'm getting confused as it was round about that time... Anyway, yes, Malamute and I have run this game quite a few times and it never fails to entertain. The playing card draw to decide just about everything is a brilliant and simple mechanic, and so much more fun than rolling heaps of dice

Aha - malamute just beat me to it!

Edit: Yes, just googled it. The book was by Featherstone. You can still get it via Amazon by the looks of things.

Harry Faversham · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2016, 08:18:57 AM »

We still play it regularly, but have moved it to the Wild West, having the Red River patrol trying to leg it back to the fort through Indian Country. We have laminated cartoons of the patrol that you can bung an arrow on every time a wound's taken. I've found that the game can make very nice people act quite beastly. My patrol was galloping to safety from a passel of howling savages when my daughter fell from her horse. Seeing as how I was the noble Captain Brittles I galloped back and offered her a gauntlet. She took it, shot me through the melon, jumped on mi' horse and galloped off! The noble Captain was duly massacreed and scalped by the Redskins, disowned daughter trilling...

"You did say it was every man for himself Daddio!"

robh · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2016, 11:51:56 AM »

We have also played that scenario a few times, most recently just after Christmas using a 1:1 version of Triumph and Tragedy. This time Louis and a couple of the escort survived but most everyone else died.

There has been a version for the excellent (old school) RenCounter rule set around on the web for many years.
Scenario
http://www.angelfire.com/sd/scarvie/louis.html

Rules
https://web.archive.org/web/20060712154844/http://tetrad.stanford.edu/renc/rencounter.html

Sterling Moose · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2016, 03:08:24 AM »

Ha, this thread brings back memories. I played the Staines game many years ago at Ilford Rampage, a great game with simple rules that is ideal for conventions. I'm sure I had a copy of the magazine it featured in too but unfortunately it has been lost in the mists of time. I'd love another copy if anyone has one going spare.

Malamute · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2016, 07:07:59 AM »

Quote from: Sterling Moose on April 13, 2016, 03:08:24 AM

Ha, this thread brings back memories. I played the Staines game many years ago at Ilford Rampage, a great game with simple rules that is ideal for conventions. I'm sure I had a copy of the magazine it featured in too but unfortunately it has been lost in the mists of time. I'd love another copy if anyone has one going spare.

You're in liuck. I have it.