Hello everyone another battle report today and as a bonus the figures are in our favorite 1/72 scale! Hurah!
So what follows is my attempt to use the Pony Wars system, which for those not in the know, the Zulu army will be controlled by dice roll placement on the table then a reaction table depending on the situation they face. All of the players will be on the Colonial side and as game Judge I rolled and moved the Zulu hordes. Just as a short explaination of this project when I started my official wargame journey around 1983 or so I became aware of the Pony Wars rules. I never did get to play in a game using the rules but they took on legendary status for some reason for me. The rules were written in 1980 and had been long out of print. Fortune smiled on me when they were reprinted last year.
So with out further ado here goes the report.
My Daily Calendar says it is a Play Day for Paulie!!
Just a picture to get in the spirit of the game.
The colonial players started in their camp and had to move out in two columns each taking a valley to clear then meeting up to attack a Zulu Kraal.
Getting ready to move out.
This shot is from the far end of the table showing the two columns about to depart. The numbers on the right side of the table are possible Zulu arrival points.
Another shot from the Zulu far end of the table. The even arrival points for the Zulu's!
At the start of each turn a card is pulled that indicates how many zulu units enter the board. I then rolled a d12 to start with to determine arrival point. In this case the Imperials left hand column had a mass of Zulu's arrive at point 11. Game on!
The Zulus move on first then the Colonial troops can react to them. I had rolled for the Zulu reaction and they chose to move to the flank and hold tight. They will check again at the start of nect turn.
After receiving blasts of musketry the Zulus swung to the other flank. Notice the Zulu numbers have been greatly reduced.
The Colonials are using Zulu tactics and surrounding them!
The right hand Imperial column thought they had clear sailing but that soon came to an end.
The right hand column moving out to meet the threat.
The Zulus in the left valley are being driven off.
Suddenly the right hand column is facing a growing force.
Ignoring the massing Zulu menace the left hand column carries on scouting out the Zulu arrival points, once scouted only an ambush card can have a Zulu unit show up in that location. They are attempting to secure their flanks.
The Zulu's continue to mass in the right column valley.
The right column continuing the advance.
The lads in the left column have sorted themselves out from their first brush with the Zulus and continue forward.
Without warning the left column is under attack once again!!
While in the right hand column area the Zulus seem reluctant to attack??
The hills and scrub block movement between the columns.
The Zulus in the right valley "Go To Ground".
Even more Zulus arrive to join the growing host in the right valley.
Zulu Attack!! The boys on the left have their hands full!
The Giant Injured Hand is removing some Redcoats that fell in the swirling Melee!
Zulu Victims.
Unfortunatly the Zulus in the left valley couldnt press home the attack any longer and draw off.
Finally with great encoragement from their Indunas the Zulus in the right valley move in to the attack.
The Zulus appear to be disorganized in the left valley after their failed attack.
The left Column on the move again.
The Zulus rallying to the attack again.
The right column beat off the attack but lost a gun and some NNC in the process.
Unfortunatly the game had to be called early due to unforseen circumstances. Some rough parts need to be smoothed out in the rules but overall it was a fun time.
Here is a shot of the front cover of my rules of inspiration.
Thanks everyone who has a look.