Sharp Practice Partizan Project

[Lardy Rich]

Morning all. 

I got back from Claymore on Monday morning with the horrifying realisation that I had twelve days to go before Partizan and I hadn't started the terrain, the Arab Army hadn't even arrived in the post yet and the British, whilst painted, were not yet based.  In something of a panic, I decided to blog my progress as a way of keeping me motivated. 

You can find my first two posts here:

http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=6027

and here: 
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=6039

A few snaps of progress are here:







I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can complete the project in time.

Cheers

Rich

[Romark]

Love the work on the boards,will look forward to the pictures of the completed project.
Come on Rich you can do it in time,sleep is overrated 

Cheers

Keith

[Kommando_J]

What list are you using for the brits and arabs? I'd say as is the Brits would be perfect for the first opium war.

[Lardy Rich]

Keith

You're right.  Sleep is for lightweights.   

Kommando

I'm working on the lists for this project based on a frigate on coastal patrol, so we have three Groups of 8 Marines and two Groups of 12 sailors with limited support options, such as rockets, guns mounted on small boats, cannon, the ship's doctor and little else.  The slavers I am still working on.  Off to the British Library next week to do some more research, although I may just knock up an impromptu force for Partizan as I am short of time. 

What I like about the Royal Navy force is that I can use it on the East and West Coasts of Africa against very different opposition and then again in China and New Zealand.  Cost effective gaming, if such a thing exists 

Rich

[Kommando_J]

Having done research on the subject of arab slavers myself I recommend a small hard core group of arabs (perhaps a mix of firearms and big choppers) who will make use of enslaved tribesmen less reliable in quality (militia groups of ten) but quite often outnumbering the arabs.

What happened is an aspiring merchant will take out a loan which is used to then hire out equipment and a band of ne'er do wells who will then roam south in search of slaves, slavery has a different outlook their and Africans will routinely sell themselves to the highest bidder as military slaves(soldiers) and then turn around and purchase a slave themselves to carry their gear.

They will plunder goods and slaves which will then be used to pay off the 'crew' with the profit coming mainly from selling slaves upon their return (Generally Egypt or the Sudan) ths is actually how many merchants get their start up until even Gordons time.

This book has plenty of descriptions (https://archive.org/details/colonelgordonin01hillgoog)

Ialso recommend the two parter 'Ismailia' which has the recollections of Samuel Baker who used a mixed force led by former slavers in his equatorial expedition.

[Lardy Rich]

Kommando

That is first rate stuff.  Many thanks.  I will read that and also use it to find further links onwards

Regards

Richard

[Kommando_J]

Sent you a PM, happy to provide further help.

I think forces can be divided into three main groups, the Leader and his close kin/associates which well be well armed and small in number,

A variable amount of slave soldiers who may also have firearms (most likely a mix of firearms and melee) as Arab attitudes towards slaves was markedly different than that of westerners and as a consequence as mentioned above many were quite happy to be slaves as it was often the first stepping stone to a rise in status, also guaranteed food etc, also Islam teaches that slaves taken in battle are also lawful and approved by God.

Of note are 'local' allies in the form of enemy tribesmen who would often work out deal in which they would provide intelligence (scouting officer) or troops in exchange for the slaver party targeting an enemy tribe of theirs or also a share in the plunder.

I would for the Arabs themselves use Conscripts & Volunteers or Clans with no bayonets, possibly big choppers and good shots.

For the slave troops wallahs, no bayonets, poor shots and make them cheap.

For tribal allies tribe obviously, with prominent leader(representing their 'contact' with the Arabs) big choppers, bows(no firearms) possibly hearth and home or moveable deployment points(they know the local lay of the land).

For supports

Level 1: Physic, holy man, musician, ladders, Spirits and Tinder Box and Dummy Movable Deployment Point

Level 2: Specialist, water cart, Moveable Deployment Point, Fixed Secondary Deployment Point

Level 3: Train Defence Group, Exploring Officer or Scout, Status I Leader and Upgrade Leader by on Status Level

Level 4: Mule train

Level 5: Engineer group with cart

Level 6: Status II Leader

[olyreed]

Looks great, looking forward to seeing the finished board

[Lardy Rich]

Morning all

Not much got done yesterday on the build for Partizan due to a day of meetings, but here is a report on where we are up to now:

 http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=6058

Lots of exciting stuff happening today, like building the slaver fort and painting the sea.  Full report tomorrow.

Gratuitous snap:



Cheers

Rich

[Kommando_J]

Looking forward to seeing how this all pans out, building on my above comment if it's more a defensive raiding force, I could see a small artillery piece being in use, most will be armed with matchlocks with superior fire arms for a small hard core.

[tin shed gamer]

Look forward to seeing it at Partizan.
Mark.

[Lardy Rich]

Mark (and anyone else going to Partizan)

Come along and have a game.  We will be running games all day.

Cheers

Richard
 

[Lardy Rich]

Another update on Lard Island News.  We are getting stuff done, but time is running out. 

http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=6070

Some snaps:




Cheers

Rich

[tin shed gamer]

Cheers Rich,
I'll see how much free time I get,as I've some stuff to drop off for Simon and Mick,and few others so it might have to be hit and run.
Mark.

[Lardy Rich]

More progress on Lard Island.  The fort is finished, the baracoon complete, the gun position in place. You can see them here and the first of the figure painting.  Starting to flag a bit now...

http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=6095

Gratuitous snaps:




Cheers

Rich