The event started at 5PM, but since snow and sleet were in the forecast the Little Wars organizer found me an empty table and I was able to set up in the morning and leave it up as a display throughout the day. As I was assisting with Mark's ACW game next door I did notice it attracted a lot of attention throughout the day.
Unfortunately the scenario really only accommodates seven players unlike Isandlwana where we have had 12 or more.. At game time all the tickets were sold and the table was full, there were a couple extras hoping to get in. We had one no show, so we were able to accommodate an extra and a few other hung around to watch the action.
Only a couple players had experience with Black Powder (BP) which was fine as the system is so easy to teach and this particular scenario only uses BP as a framework with a lot of scenario specific components. The beauty of BP is that it is so scalable and easy to bolt on additional mechanics to make a historical scenario.
For those not familiar with the history the battle occurred in the afternoon/evening of January 22nd 1879 into the early morning hours of January 25th. Approximately 4500 Zulu attacked the drift which was defended by about 140 British Soldiers. The Zulu did not coordinate their attacks well and the British under the direction of a Royal Engineer, LT Chard and their commander LT Bromhead were given ample warning that the Zulu were on the way and had constructed a hasty, but formidable defense around the hospital and store house using mealie bags and crates along with wagons.
Historically the British held out and 11 Soldiers were awarded the Victoria cross as a result of the Action. While casualty figures are not exact the Zulu could have suffered as many as 1000 casualties of killed and wounded. The British had less than 20 killed and about an equal number wounded.
Depending on perspective our players were either hoping to repeat history or drastically change it.
Rorke's Drift Set up for Display |
Redoubt in place |
Quick disclaimer, unfortunately my phone failed me and did not capture all of the great action that occurred throughout the game, so the report will be a bit abbreviated.
Defenders at the Karaal |
Initial Assault from the garden |
Attack developing behind the hospital |
Hospital being pressed |
Hospital overrun |
A chink in the armor as a second British unit gives way |
Assault from the front renewed |
The Zulu continued to press the attack. British commanders were slow to respond and probably kept troops defending the karaal and building barricades longer than they should. This allowed the Zulu to break through the outer defenses and drive home the attack.
Ultimately they were able to destroy or shake more than half of the British units resulting in a complete victory for the Zulu.
This is not the first time the Zulu have won this scenario, but I believe it is the first time they have done it with only two phases of the possible 12. Some of this is contributed to some excellent saves on the part of the Zulu and the overall inexperience of the players as a whole.
The most important part was that win or lose both sides seemed to enjoy the scenario and at least 5 were completely new to Black Powder so they learned the basic rules.
Hospital on fire |
Again, I apologize for the brevity of the report and lack of pictures. I thought I was taking pictures throughout the event, but it may be time for a phone upgrade which I have been putting off. :)
You can find the scenario I use here:
Rorke's Drift Scenario
If you want to check out the other Anglo-Zulu battle reports you can find them here:
Previous Rorke's Drift battle report
I always enjoy hosting these scenarios and this was no exception. We had a great group of players who were great sports throughout the evening.
As this year is the 140th anniversary of the war it is my hope to present these battles a few more times at upcoming conventions.
The pictures posted looked pretty good to me.
ReplyDeleteI must do this battle again sometime.
Thanks, there just should be alot more pictures is all. ;)
DeleteThere was a fair bit of dead ground on the approaches to the compound so the Zulus could approach under a bit of cover in places.
DeleteThe whole site was overlooked by a much higher hill (Oscarberg).
Check out the film for topographical outlook.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rorke%27s_Drift