Friday 30 December 2022

"What If" Isandlwana.

What if Lord Chelmsford's last orders to Lt. Col. Pulleine were "Defend the camp,as per General Orders"?-Pulleine would have laagered the wagons and built defences around the perimeter,brought all troops inside the newly defended camp,and awaited any attacks!! 

Well,I decided to do just that,to see what would have happened,using my universally praised "red pom-pom rules",and what a game it turned out to be!


Two shots of the newly defended camp(using what defences I have at hand!)


The Zulus have arrived!-The artillery looks very vulnerable,but we'll see.



Top photo shows the Zulu left horn being shot to pieces,the bottom photo shows the Zulu centre and right horn also being shot to pieces(but there's lots of them!!)


The guns look in real danger-their "escort" has legged it,and so should they-maybe just one last cannister shot!!

The two companies,posted to the left of the infamous hill,have spotted some Zulu regiments making their way behind the hill to out-flank the camp-not so fast,surely a couple of volleys will deter them(?)



Top photo shows the Zulus getting a bit too close for comfort-bottom photo shows how close!!-the artillery have retired (it's good being retired!)-in the distance you can see that contact has been made!!!


Contact!-although huge gaps in the Zulu line are evident,but the centre regiments are approaching at a rate of knots!!

This photo shows the Zulu out-flanking regiments sneaking behind the hill,but being shot at by the two defending companies.



Top photo shows the centre regiments about to get involved,bottom shows a general view,and the shattered left horn-the right horn has disappeared!!!-shot to bits and then fought off bravely!



This shows the out-flanking regiments chasing(surely not!) the two defending companies who have now been joined by a supporting company-a couple of artillery shots and a close volley stopped them in their tracks!!



Last two shots showing the state of play-the Zulus were completely destroyed by well aimed volleys and well protected infantry-if only that had happened in history!!

I really enjoyed playing this game,showing what could be achieved if "general orders"  had been followed by Pulleine and Chelmsford.



































































4 comments:

  1. I think Rorke's Drift shows what would have happened. Ulundi showed it better!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Herky-forwarned is forarmed-have a great 2023!
    johnc

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great concept for a game. So many what ifs in history to explore. All the best, Chris

    ReplyDelete