Anglo-Zulu War ~ Durnford's Advance, Isandlwana ~ 22nd Jan 1879

[skirmisher]

Telegraphs have arrived with further details of the recent disaster to H.M. forces in Zululand. Inspired by an Ian Knight article in Wargames Illustrated #300, I fought the opening stage of Isandlwana when Colonel Durnford advanced his forces, in the belief he was preventing the Zulus moving to reinforce the enemy forces Chelmsford had marched off south to confront. Only too late scouts reported to him that the Zulu army was actually north of him and closing fast.

My re-fight was in 15mm with Black Powder and was really a joyous excuse to deploy my rocket battery...which failed to hit anything, at all, but looked great    High drama ensued as Captain Nourse's NNC company was wept away, Major Rusell's battery were overun and finally the Basutho N.N.H. horse were disordered, surrounded and fought a last stand, perhaps buying time for the British camp's defenders to prepare for the onfolding onslaught...

I then re-fought the battle with my friend John and this time, Durnford's men did better, breaking the Zulu skirmisher companies. There were even cheers from the Zulu commander (myself) when the rocket-battery finally hit something! However once their main body arrived on the board, the Zulu indunas rolled consistently spectacular command-rolls and were able to destroy the NNC and catch the fleeing artillery. Durnford's and his Basutho Horse however executed a daring escape, so a historical result was achieved. Huzzah!

[Captain Darling]

Good looking game Skirmisher, nice figures and set up.

I think the smaller scales work better for bigger actions, the bigger the battle the smaller the scale figures I reckon!

[Sapper]

Hi

A point to note - the rockets do NOT have exploding warheads !!!

Sapper

[vodkafan]

That rocket model is awesome 

[skirmisher]

Thanks folks. Sapper, I had read somewhere about the rocket not being explosive...but fudged and ignored it as the explosion marker looked good Have just done some inter-googling there to read up more on the rockets of the time and you are correct about the lack of explosive properties (though the propellant burns were still very nasty) e..g http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/discussion.php?topid=8482&forid=1

Vodkafan, I am pleased with the rocket 'contrail' myself: had a bit of wire lying around, impaled some cushion-stuffing onto it, and based it on a bit of roof-lead (as it was suitably heavy) with small hole drilled through the base for the wire.

Highly erratic firing but visually impressive (though my Zulu forces were largely unmoved). Hopefully they will yield better results at Inzeyane and Gindgindlovu...

Captain Darling, I can't take credit for the figures, as I bought them recently but very pleased with them and enjoying immersing myself in campaign research, glue and dice-rolling! Hoping to fight a company convoy action next week, to try out my friend's TmWwBk rules.

[LordSpode1879]

Awesome and inspirational in equal measure! Nice looking set up and I too am a fan of the rocket contrail!

[Traveler Man]

A delightful set-up! I do like the rocket trail. As for the exploding warhead, call it scriptwriter's license.