Continuing with the theme of giving collections not seen too frequently on the tabletop battlefield here in GHQ, Paul and I settled on an AZW game pitting Paul as the Zulu chief n'Gornali against the Imperial force lead by Col. Bykleigh, newly posted to the Natal area. The field of battle ~
The Imperial forces are encamped around Watson's Mission Station, where they have hastily been errecting defensive barricades ~
News of n'Gornali and his Impis sweeping down to destroy the defenders has caused Bykleigh to throw out his small mounted forces to both scout the enemy approach and delay and disrupt their advance to the attack ~
The cunning Zulu has thrown out his own scouts tasking them with delivering harassing fire on the Mission Station defenders, tempting them to waste precious ammunition ~
The Impis have been divided, one to occupy the mounted elements sent out by Bykleigh, the main force to attack the Mission Station's defenders ~
The usual anotated photomontage follows carrying you down into the unfolding drama of the defence of Watson's Mission Station ~
"Stand to! Stand to!" Men of the 80th, the Staffordshire Volunteers, take up positions behind the barricades of mealie bags and cotton bales.
The 13th, the Somersetshire Light Infantry, also fall in behind the extensive makeshift barricades. They are supported by a battery of 7lb guns of the Royal Artillery.
Meanwhile, the cunning n'Gornali watches his witch doctor dance up a storm of spirit warriors to join the Impis in their attack.
On the grassy plains the Induna takes advantage of a rocky outcrop the better to survey his Impis' approach to attack the Mission Station.
Sweeping forward the Zulu war cry, "U'Suthu!" echoes back from the low hills around the plain as the main Impis advance, sweeping forward ready to form the feared Horns of the Buffalo.
Aware of the need to probe the Mission Station's defences n'Gornali has sent a lonely Impi to draw out the defenders and test their resolve.
The main attack surges forward at speed on the right flank of the Mission Station. The defenders hold their fire to conserve limited ammunition ~ Av D rounds after the first volley per unit.
Their right flank is shielded by the extensive elephant grass, so they need not fear the advancing Lancers!
The defenders stand in silence, ready to deliver a withering volley as the Zulu close in. None of this Men of Harlech nonsense for the Staffords!
The leading Impis are closing the distance to the defenders of Watson's Mission Station. "Fire by Company! Fire!"
The Natal Natives have suffered hits from the rifle armed Zulus occupying the high ground. The men are Disordered and the Zulu are almost on them! The troops manning the Hales Light Rocket hastily get off a shot in their support. It's a dud!
The battery of 7lb guns is about to be overrun by the Zulu. Can the Lancers' charge into their right flank save the day?
A second Rocket strikes home, adding to the fire from the Natal Native Horse who despite Disorder are bravely holding their ground.
A wall of Brummagem Bullets pour forth into the Zulu from the 80th and unexpectedly from walking wounded in the Mission House itself!
Despite losses which have Shaken their resolve. The Zulu charge home, assegai clashes with bayonet in desperate struggle across the barricades.
"Huzzah!" The Staffords have thrown back the attackers, their resolve broken by mounting losses in combat!
The Royal Artillery, aided by the Lancers, have thrown back the initial assault. They and the Natal Native Horse though find themselves flanked by a further Impi! Their situation is perilous with no-one to come to their aid.
The Lancers pursue the broken attackers to prevent an attempted Rally and a return to attack the Disordered Artillery and Natives.
The Zulu fears the mounted Lancers and flee for their lives. If the Lancers' mounts become blown they face attack from a second approaching wave of Impis!
The 13th are now in action engaged in hand to hand fighting along their front with a further fresh Impi. Ammunition is plentiful in their sector, but now its the cold steel they need!
The Staffords crash out another volley causing Disorder amongst a fresh wave of attackers. They are down now though to only 2 rounds of firing. Will they keep the Zulu at bay?
Waves of Zulu sweep down on the beleaguered defenders. The climax of the Defence of Watson's Mission Station is surely close now! The Frontier Light Horse add what firepower they can to the desperate defence!
The Hales Rocket crewmen are slaughtered before they can reach safety behind the barrackades, allowing the Zulu to crash into the flank of the 7lb battery.
Once more assegai clashes with bayonet as the increasingly desperate Staffords hang on! The men are down to their last round and Zulus seem to be everywhere.
The moment the Rocket crew were lost and the artillerymen overrun!
The gallant 80th finally give way. Slaughter engulfs the regiment and survivors flee for their lives!
More Zulu Impis rush to take advantage of the gaps opened up in the defensive perimeter. It's all up for the defenders with victory now inevitable for n'Gornali and his Impis.
A last volley from the Walking Wounded in the Mission House brings down the curtain on an Imperial Disaster! The Impis of n'Gornali are victorious and few Britons will live to tell the tale...
News of the Disasterous Defeat will reach HQ through the fleeing Native Horse whose mounts can outrun even the Zulus!
A grand game over about 3 1/2 hours play either side of lunch. Rules were Black Powder Mk2, with some in-house modifications, principally the limited ammunition rule. Notably a first ever win for the Zulus here in GHQ!
