TmWwBk ~ Brandy Drift Massacre ~ Zululand, 1879

[skirmisher]

My friend and I have been using Black Powder for historical clashes in the Anglo-Zulu War, but for our latest game we decided to play out a skirmish action using the TmWwBK ruleset. The setting was a Zulu attack on a British platoon escorting a convoy bogged down near a ford. Both sides had a 24 point Field Force (6 x 16 Zulus tribal units; 4 x 12 British regular sections), with the Zulus having two hidden units to theaten the enemy flanks.

The leader rolls added a fair bit of flavour and favoured the British who had 3 brave, inspirational, steady leaders, Capt. Hoofington, Sgt. Smoke, Cpl. Bourne, and one drunkard, Lt. Hennessey (of brandy fame). The latter provided a lot of hilarity as his behaviour varied with his sobriety levels.

I neglected to set turn limits & objectives for the game, so it turned out to be the Mutual Massacre of Brandy Drift, with massive losses to both sides. Funnily enough, the three surviving leaders included the two worse, a coward (Chief Retirolazi) and a drunk (Lt. Hennessey). The Lieutenant kept failing his rally orders and nearly led his unit off the board. Only the untimely onset of sobriety (or perhaps realisation that the Zulus had the brandy supply) changed his direction where he witnessed the last man standing, Cpl. Bourne defy the few remaining Zulus. We were both exhausted at that stage and decided to call it.

OVerall, we both enjoyed the game. I think I would use TmWwBk for skirmishes or light-hearted games and keep using Black Powder for larger historical actions.

Main thing is that as senior surviving officer of a (barely) successful defence, Lt. Hennessey got his V.C. “for gallant conduct of a rearguard action (very much to the rear of the action), driving off a hidden (very, very well hidden) flanking force numbering in the THOUSANDS, then returning to rescue the survivors (one) of his platoon.” Huzzah!

[Sunjester]

A nice looking game and sounds a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to giving the rules a first outing next week.

[LordSpode1879]

Nice looking game played entirely in the spirit of the game  ! Huzzah!!

[vodkafan]

Looks good. 6mm does give a realistic scale impression of the vast landscape and rivers look a proper obstacle.

[LordSpode1879]

Too small for my eyesight these days but impressively done!

[LordSpode1879]

Looks good. 6mm does give a realistic scale impression of the vast landscape and rivers look a proper obstacle.

i agree about the scale of the river...how often do 28mm scale rivers actually look the part? Look like they might actually be a genuine barrier to the advance/retreat of our little lead and plastic armies?

[vodkafan]

i agree about the scale of the river...how often do 28mm scale rivers actually look the part? Look like they might actually be a genuine barrier to the advance/retreat of our little lead and plastic armies?

Agreed mostly they look like 28mm figures could jump over them

[skirmisher]

Agreed mostly they look like 28mm figures could jump over them

I am very pleased with the river  , which is Galeforce Nine's Battlefield in A Box River Expansions (Fords & Bends). I got both boxes, 6 foot of river, for only 22 euro in my local game store. Happy days! It sizes well for my 15mm Colonial forces and looking forward to using with my US-Indian Wars as well.

Re: battle, it was pointed out by my friend that his retiring Zulus had nabbed the brandy supply which would necessitate another game in future with Lt. Hennessey leading a 'rescue mission'. I can see it now: the onrushing red-coats, the determined warriors defending their kraal, the fire and fighting along the perimeter…while Hennessey crawls under a gap in the fence and into random huts looking for his brandy! Will he find it before meeting his end or before fire consumes his precious stock? Will Cpl. Bourne’s poo-poo’d version of events be finally vindicated? Will Chief Retirolazi take umbrage at this intrusion? Tune in to the next episode of The Men Who Would Be Drunk!!!

[LordSpode1879]

Now this sounds like a tale of colonial derring do I can look forward too!!

[macsparty]

Great looking game! It seems very much in the spirit of TMWWBK as I understand it, and plan to use it when I have my Sudan minis painted up. Well done, and thanks for sharing. I can't wait to see how our pickled lieutenant does next!

[Traveler Man]

Great stuff! The Adventures of Lt. Hennessey looks like they'll run (or, rather, stagger) for quite a while!

[LordSpode1879]

If Hennessey is anything like Flashman he'll always do just enough to avoid disgrace ....becoming a bally hero into the bargain!