Action at Bronkhorstspruit, or at least a game based on the action fought on 20 December 1880 during the First Boer War, was the subject of today's game here in GHQ between Jon, commanding the Imperial force and yours truly commanding the Boers.
The Imperial column snakes across a river using a pontoon erected by the Royal Engineers.
A reporter pauses to refresh himself and his mount as the Infantry cross the pontoon bridge.
The column is screened by a detachment of Mounted Infantry.
Boers engage the Mounted Infantry, with very little success I have to say...
Kommandant De Byklei, in the top hat, coordinates the fire of a Boer Kommando and a gun ~ without much success I'm sorry to say!
A fierce firefight develops along the line of march, with Infantry deploying to assault the Boers' position on the heights.
Boer 'Pluck' finally evaporates as their losses mount and they contemplate the glint of bayonets marking the British Infantry's steady climb up the heights. Kommandant De Byklei orders a general withdrawal, or as Jon might say, a flight to safety...
The figures are mostly
Empress Miniatures, from their Anglo-Zulu War range, although the Boer gun is a
Foundry Krupp and the gunners are conversions from the Perry Miniatures' Mafeking 'Armed Civilians' pack. We used an amended version of my own
'Washing the Spears' rules ~ available from
Caliver, Redoubt and Dave Thomas at shows or by mail. We played thirteen turns in about two hours, until the Boer losses mounted and a 'Pluck' failure ensued...
Very nicely done.
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Capital! my good man, simply capital.
ReplyDeleteProbably the toughest challenge DB has set me so far.
ReplyDeleteAlthough DB tried a ruse by trying to soften me up with some German Friendship Cake but I was having none of it (well just a slice anyway - thanks Sue!)
Heroic work particularly by the Mounted Infantry. Staffords and The Royal Artillery - even the rockets hit something - 3 times...I nearly fell off my chair!
The Imperial forces suffered horrendous casualties but their Pluck held, except once, when they wavered but noticed the roving reporter and got their dander back up - so to speak.
DB graciously allowed me to peruse part of the Osprey book he'd based the game on - Queen Vic's men faired worse in the real thing. Phew!
Lovely photos and report. Thank you David for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Thanks folks! Especially Jon for his insights into the game from the Imperial perspective...
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