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.
The game came closer to a draw then expected, giving it a satisfying game for all participants.
Very nice to watch my Flemish friends playing one of my favourite theatres. This huge I never play them myself in this setting. The skirmish type of games suit me better, the more since I game solo most of the time. An interesting use of figures again, a regular feature when watching this group. Surprised by the mounted Boers and the role the Timpo Action Pack ACW Southerners. They fit their function in a convincing way, led magnificiently by Burt L. again? Enjoy it again and again as lots of other postings, here! Thanks again. Greetz, M.
ReplyDeleteIt was written down here, earlier on; I live more or less in what we call the 'Afrikaner buurt'. Both Boer leaders, Piet Cronjé and Koos de la Rey, have streets named after them, a few minutes walking from my frontdoor. Dirk, I'm curious to hear what you guys used as a rule for the firing of the pompom guns. I have two pewter 1/32 models, bought in New Zealand (or Australia) and they look awesome. But I'm always in dispair how to use them properly, once in battle.
ReplyDeleteBy the way: for my ww2 commando raids, I'm on the lookout for usable 54mm figures to convert to French Chasseur Alpins. I think Starlux and Heller for base figs and equipment. Knowing this society has potential in getting me other ideas on that matter, here's the question: I can use both materials (your obsolete figures) and tips! Greetz again, M.
This is wonderful! I have shied away from playing with my 2nd Anglo Boer War figures because the early battles were so one sided. In fact, for many of the early battles you don't even need Boer figures, since they were hidden in camouflaged trenches to fool the British artillery. I would like to try this scenario with your suggested rules changes.
ReplyDeleteHi Nick, Great! To replay the battle historically, it would indeed be to one sided.
ReplyDeleteFor the battle, when you check pictures, you see the trenches aren't the WWI trenches.
As mentioned in the game report, more like parapets, where the Boers laid down behind. Standing up behind them, wouldn't give much cover. In the game, when the Brits reached the parapets, we gave them only a -1D cover. In close combat, the Boers were rated as skirmish, and having an extra -1D if close combat occured. The boers hadn't that much bajots, or did not realy used them.
In our game, It was the cavalry that could have made the difference. They did on the British right.
For the flags, we didn't take into account support for ignoring flags when fired upon. The British could ignore a flag for being veteran, a second flag resulted in no movement next turn. (not a 20cm withdraw)