Carronade 2024

 You will have noticed a Kambula Hill theme to some of John’s posts lately…

Off we toddled to Falkirk for the Carronade 2024 show. Our game was the Battle of Kambula Hill, 1879! Two months after the disaster at Isandlwana (and the day after the minor debacle at Hlobane) this was to be a turning point in the Anglo-Zulu War.

The “boys” had put a massive amount of effort into putting on this demo game. Carronade is easily the highlight of our wargaming year, so the effort is justified (I just needed to turn up!).

The above photos show the table being set up on the eve of the show.

Show time! The table looks great. 900 figures represent the Zulu army!

The right horn of the Zulu army is goaded into attacking by Buller’s irregular horse. Look at them surging forward!

Whilst the chest looks on and the left horn struggles through difficult terrain, the right horn is being hammered by volley fire and artillery.

The left horn struggling manfully with the terrain.

The left horn comes under fire as the right horn comes apart. The survivors of the right horn retire to a nearby hill. Apparently it’s good being retired; I’ll never know!

Speaking of pensioners, Dave demonstrates the reach of his weapon in the above photos. Our number one priority for demo games is talking to folk. We tend to bring along a bunch of books and paraphernalia to entertain the nice folk that stop to chat. The Martini-Henry rifle and carbine were big hits.

As the left horn closes on the Imperial defences, the chest charges forward as well.

With the right horn reduced to spectating, the left horn is causing the British problems. The cattle kraal is taken!

The British infantry are pursued from the cattle kraal while the chest also closes. Two companies of British sally out to clear warriors of the left horn amassing in dead ground below the main laager.

Like the historical counterpart, the officer leading this bayonet charge becomes a casualty (denoted by the little skull token).

The Zulu attack loses its impetus and warriors are now streaming away. It’s all over for the Zulu army!

But not for us! We win best demonstration game. Again!

It was great to hear that the voting was by straw poll of people in the canteen (the Falkirk club members usually score the games). That made it extra special!

We really need to replace our “sky blue” club shirts…

Ahoy Ship Mates!

Having had a hearty tea of ship's biscuits and a tot of rum,my thoughts strayed to the high seas and Naval wargames-well they would wouldn't they???

My ships are all very old(like me!) and started life as pencil sharpeners! a very quick paint job and thread for rigging,plus a blue base,and off we go.For rules I adapted my red pom-pom rules,using the same method of 4 pom-poms and the ship is sunk-this is how I got on..................

 All I needed for a great couple of hours gaming-explanations follow!

Coloured markers to identify class of ship and speed of movement-big brightly coloured card shows that a ship has been sunk-simple but effective.

The fleets,British in the front,French behind-bottom photo shows the "pencil sharpener" aspect!!

The dice have been thrown and the ships have been given their ratings-yellow for second rate,red for first rate and no marker for third rate,now let's get on with the game.

An easy way of remembering which ships are third rate-minus two from dice,and first rate, plus two onto dice-when you get old you need these types of things.

Ready for the off-British on far side of table.

Top photo shows the measuring stick in operation,bottom shows the first action-two dice thrown for each side,the loser gets a red pom-pom,and each pom-pom is minus one from the dice,at four pom-poms the ship is sunk!!!

Top photo shows the first ship sunk,bottom shows a first rater against a second rater.

End of the game-a French win!-I played several games over the afternoon,and enjoyed each one,what next I wonder??

15mm solo games.

Over the past week or so,I have been playing a few solo games,7YW,Romans and today Sudanese,all have been relaxing and exciting in equal measures,here are a few photographs..................

 This is my Sudanese game-British had to take the "Town" which was heavily defended,with Dervish troops coming in to help the defenders from the right,as you look at the photo's.

The British commander (ME!!) decided to form in line and not in square-what a clever move that turned out to be-not!

Help is on its way-thousands of 'em!!

Sack the British commander,that's what I say!!!

A view from the Dervish side of the table-I will have to use the Square next time,with my rules the troops in square get a bonus plus two onto their dice,making it very difficult for the attackers to get into the square-why didn't I use it???(answers on a post card please!

I did better using my Romans against a huge Gallic army....................

The legions have marched out of the fort and onto a nearby hill,a legion of auxiliaries are marching to support them,but will the Gauls allow them to get into formation?

No of course not! an attack along the lines,and with cavalry on both flanks getting engaged!

An initial attack on the Roman left was driven off,but not before the Gauls inflicted heavy casualties on the Aux. legion,the Gauls retired(it's good being retired!) allowing the Romans to execute a flanking move which threatened the rest of the Gallic attack,however the Aux, legion on the right was "roughly handled!"

Aux. Legion being "Roughly handled"-remember that each red pom-pom indicates the amount of casualties the unit has taken!!

End of the game-Gauls out-flanked and soundly beaten in the centre-cracking game!!

I was on the good old internet yesterday and learned that Warlord Epic are about to release their latest offering,in July, of Hannibal,including Romans and even elephants-can't wait(but you'll have to!) check it out-fantastic!!