Zulus at Gingindlovu
Just a note to thank Chas for running the Zulu game yesterday at the
Devon Wargames Club, a good time was had by all and I think we managed to iron the last few wrinkles out of the rules before the big summer Nye Zane river game in a few weeks. Notes taken from narration of battle written by Vince, one of the British players.
Initial deployments on the field
Zulu left horn commanded by me, Chas in the centre, and Steve out on the right horn..
British start completing their camp, with the main body still arriving, commanded by Andy, ably assisted by Vince and Bob.
Bob's light cavalry out on the wing...
The battle was based on the battle of Gingindlovu, using the "what if" the British had only partially completed their wagon laager and most of the army where still marching into camp when the Zulus were spotted ?
first couple of turns moving forwards... and the Brits getting into their camp to fortify...
As the Zulus appeared, the native natal unit searching for firewood was virtually caught by the Zulu chest and the Victoria Mounted Rifles had to beat a hasty retreat from the right horn, firing their carbines as they went. As the British infantry streamed into camp, it became clear that the Natal Native Contingent was going to have to act as a "speed bump" to slow the Zulu advance and so the boys bravely charged in. They fought well but were soon heading for the hills, but they had allowed two sides of the lager to be constructed. The rest would have to trust to a line of infantry with Martini-Henry rifles and bayonets, backed by British guts.
View from the light horse...
British Left all nice and in lines, dress those ranks!!!
View from the Zulu Right horn...
Getting closer now...
NNC speed bump just in front of the Impi...
A view down the table from the Zulu right...
Brits laying in good rate of fire...
Zulus being forced to ground but one unit manages to get to the barricades..
first fight at the barricades, these guys went in three times before being beaten off...
On the zulus came and pretty soon sustained volley fire made many go to ground. Both sides were soon throwing in their command pips to gain the initiative, make rerolls, emergency volleys etc. The rocket battery, although somewhat erratic, made dreadful slaughter of the zulu head and the gatling gave similar reliable service.
A heroic action sends the gatling forward to hit the Zulus in the flank...
But they soon fall back into the line, not so heroic now...
Prepare for the charge!!!
Heavy volley fire...
Zulu!!!!!
Tough hand to hand fighting on the flanks
Rocket prepares to fire again...
Chief Chas...
At the barricades again...
Both flanks of the camp came under sustained pressure and only the cover of the wagons allowed the British right and centre to win their melees.
Zulu left at the barricades, and two regiments reforming after going to ground...
Desperate fighting on the corner of the camp...
The left of the camp now became involved in melee and lacking cover, British losses began to mount. With the centre under pressure, the Gatling increased its rate of fire and jammed. This allowed a Zulu unit to contact the rocket battery and things looked grim. The British had a stroke of luck as the Zulus rolled 2, 2, 1, 1 in the melee. All Andy had to do was to get one die to roll more than 2 or failing that roll two "2's" and more than 1 on his last die. I draw a veil over the scene and allow you to draw your own conclusions, suffice to say our C in C managed to roll the two "2's".
The British left under very heavy pressure...
The right at the same time...
Rocket troops being over run and the Gatling jammed...
Now a general melee developed and the number of British units falling back and forming emergency squares grew. The writing was on the wall and we called it a day.
A good game and nothing to be ashamed of on either side.
Many thanks to all that played, especially to chief Chas, as it was a posthumous victory for him after catching a full blast from the damned rockets!!!
