On the 'West Coast of Africa' Station

Something a little different this week to tax the brain cells just a little. The British government having effectively outlawed the slave trade by Act of Parliament on 25 March1807 the Royal Navy established the West Africa Squadron in 1808 to police the most active area for the slavers. In 1819 they established the ‘West Coast of Africa' Station as a permanent presence to halt the trade. Our game is set loosely in that period 1808-19 and pits our hero, Commodore Horatio Aubrey Ramage Bolitho Robinson, against the evil slaver Mustapha Malarkhi and the cunning native chief who provides his human cargo, M'tubbi Bykelezi. The rules in use were a slightly modified Astounding Tales with move sequence dictated by Bolt Action dice. A general view of the table layout gives an idea of the look of the game I was aiming for ~

As usual now a photomontage of the game as it evolved with some pithy comments to give a feel for the unfolding story. Will our hero triumph or will the wily Mustapha and the cunning M'tubbi come out on top?

"Boats Away if you please Mr White!"
"Aye Aye, Sir! Boats Away!"

HMS Dianne's launches are away carrying the landing party of Royal Marines, under Captain Aston, and parties of sailors under the hero himself.

The Royal Marines are first ashore, stumbling through the surf to reach the firm going of the beach.

As the boats struggle back to HMS Dianne to pick up their next landing party the Royal Marines struggle into a firing line. They have seen the first natives rushing towards them. Meanwhile Mustapha Malarkhi is driving the slaves towards his dhow.

More sailors are ashore now. The Royal Marines prepare to fire on the body of charging natives to their front.

The slavers are driving their wretched human cargo mercilessly towards the dhow! Can anything or anyone save them from a dreadful fate?

A crashing volley from the Royal Marines fails to halt the native charge and fierce hand to hand fighting breaks out. Things are looking a little tight for Captain Aston and his men!

As the tars of HMS Dianne rush to their support the Royal Marines make light work of the natives. Few men can stand against the cold steel of the bayonet!

More natives are rushing to attack the landing party and Mustapha Malarkhi takes advantage of the confusion to drive the slaves ever closer to the dhow.

Forest pygmies have joined the natives of the village using Theo bows to good effect to harass the sailors and marines.

As the first of the human cargo are driven aboard a party of heroic Jack Tars rush the guards in an attempt to halt their removal!

In the ensuing confusion more slaves are driven aboard. The cries of the wounded and the clash of steel on steel are all that can be heard above their dreadful moaning.

It's suddenly all over for Mustapha Malarkhi and chief M'tubbi Bykelezi. Warriors are dead or put to flight, Arab slavers are rounded up to face instant justice at the yard arm and the slaves are joyously free men and women again! "God save the king!"
In the real world the West Africa Coast Squadron captured well over 100 slaver ships and freed over 150,000 slaves during its active service. Britain has a  proud history in the anti slavery fight and that should be honoured and remembered by all of us today.

For those who are interested in such things HMS Dianne was previously sold by Britannia Miniatures. The RN crew and Royal Marines are old Abbott Miniatures, sold by Redoubt back in the day I think. Our hero is a Giants in Miniature figure by Wargames Illustrated. The natives are all from the Foundry Darkest Africa range. The scenery is a real mixture, but I think it hangs together well in the end. Stay well and safe!