Battle of Magersfontein of 11 December 1899 , refight played in 54mm on 1st of February 2026

Steven has collected colonial Brtish figures and recently added Boers figures to his collection.

He asked to mount a game and we ended up at the Battle of Magersfontein of 11 December 1899

It was a battle of the Second Boers war in South-Africa, 11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902),  a conflict fought between the British Empire and the Boer republics (the South African Republic and Orange Free State) .

This is the second of the three battles of the Black Week, all defeats with many casualties on the British side, due to tactics not adapted to the fastly evolving technology and the Boers armies strategy.

You can find more on this war on wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Boer_War

As this battle was in reality one sided, with the Boers rifle fire pinning down the British troops, replaying this battle  aiming for the same result would nog be a pleasant game for neither side.

Therefor, the firepower of the Boers units was limited, and for the British troops a better firing then displayed in the real thing.

In normal colonial rule, wetern armed units would receive a die per figure, and possibility to fire twice in a turn, with short/long range of 40/80cm.  We gave the units a die per stand (1 stand = 2 figures) instead of per figure. I would still be an impressive firepower , but less telling.

Also the number of shots was limited to 10 per unit, replenishing ammunition needed after that, by a seperate unit, with limited capacity.

The navel gun had no limit in range, but could only fire once every two turns.  (5 dice)

The British howitser battery could fire 3x 3 dice.  Cover of the trench/parapet and the redoubts would give a -2 dice on all fire. The Boers guns was 3 dice up to 80cm, 2 up to 160 cm.

To cross the barbed wire it would take a full turn, but was not covering the whole frontline.

About 200 British figures, inculding a  local tribesmen unit.

The Boers units received an additional -1 die in close combat.

4 players on each side, and 2 referees.

The (britains) Naval gun

The houwitser battery

The Boers.

The parapet

The battle didn't start well for the British units of the Highland Brigade. Losing a unit right away, others taking casualties.

On the Britsh right, the guard brigade made some progress

On the Britsh left, the marines figures, didn't make it to the parapet. The guides cavalry chared, and wasn't able to get a foothold, had to fall back and was shot to pieces.

It went better for the lansers unit on the right, destoying a Boers unit.

The Boers left flank was in trouble.

In the centre , the remaining Highland Brigade units made it to the parapet, driving off the Boers, who 

fell back on the hill. The latter now having less or even no cover.  As the parapet gave less cover on the Birtish side, it resulted in only -1D of cover when fired upon. The Highlanders didn 't have enough reserves to continue and charge uphill. After a few turn of firefight, retreat the only way.

The Guard units on the right were making progress, but by now, the British army was in full retreat on the left and centre.  No other option for the guards then pull back also.

The game came closer to a draw then expected, giving it a satisfying game for all participants.