British Army during the zulu wars

[Adam]

Hi folks,

Ok I started a new project to do some gaming fo the Zulu wars in 10mm and I'm getting my info together but does anyone have any detailed info on a British line by this period and its specific make up?

I mean I get the general use of two ranks and a more extended order being used by this period thanks to the increased firepower, but does anyone have any idea what this actually meant in detail, drill book wise? I read somewhere today of a yard between each man being used, but was this standard, and where was the back rank in relation? Did they interleave or where they stood behind the front rank man?

I'll be posting pics and doing a little WIP on the whole project in the next few days but any info on this or anything else would be great.

[efb]

Might be of some use...

http://www.savageandsoldier.com/article ... Brits.html

Of course if you really want to talk to an expert on the Victorian Army...I know somebody. Just ask...and bob's your uncle...I'll put you in touch with 'im.

[Captain Blicero]

Mr. Parsons,
The following links may be helpful:

Part of the 1854 Infantry Drill Manual
http://www.19thfoot.co.uk/drill_0_index.htm

Check out the "Articles" section of this site:
http://www.victorianmilitarysociety.org.uk/

A decent forum:
http://www.victorianwars.com/

A Great website with many photographs:
http://www.soldiersofthequeen.com/

And of course the only rules one could possibly use for colonial wargaming...
http://www.sergeants3.com/

Have fun and good luck! (I am rooting for King Cetshwayo...)
-Eric

[Adam]

Would you reccomend the sword and the flame then? are they good for larger battles, multiple figs per base etc?

[rpardo]

See the wargaming section of
http://www.colonialwargaming.co.uk/

[Captain Blicero]

Adam,
TSATF is individual based and has 20 man platoons. 80 figs would equal one battalion (If I remember correctly...) 12 figure Cavalry "troop." Individual basing would be a tad fiddly with 10mm.
Here is a review of the Rules by the author himself:
http://africanhistory.about.com/library/weekly/aafpr-TSATF.htm

I use Piquets Field of Battle for Napoleonics but it covers 1700-1900 and would be quite suitable for the Zulu wars. It features 4 "stand" Infantry battalions, scale is rather up to the player.

Regards,
Eric

[Captain Blicero]

By the way if you haven't already visited it, this is one of the best (inspiring) wargaming sites on the dirty old net'.

http://www.zeitcom.com/majgen/

Have fun!

-Eric

[Adam]

Yes on your reccomendation Eric I bought Piquest FoB a while back, and we had a Naps game with it, it was.... odd, but with tinkering we thought it might be quite fun. My army basically stood there and did nothing all game, then got pummelled. Is there a short cut for ealry in the game? as we had several turns before anyone got a mobvement card and could move his troops, and mine didn't move for abotu 5 turns granted we had average commanders not great ones, but it took a little to get moving.

We'll probably certaionly try those for colonials, it is how compatible its going to be across the board. Cheers so far folks, so I had seen some I hadn't- all appreciated.

Adam

[Adam]

)Up date- we'll be having game two with piquet this Sunday- so I'll let you know how it goes. (I am the most unlucky bloke with the dice/cards you will ever meet. Seriously, I may be a bad general, but I have yet to find that out I think I'm my friends Steve favourite opponent)

[Captain Blicero]

Hehe
If I'm ever in Lancaster I'll look you up, I could use the ego boost.

I got into Piquet after reading the "Philosophy of Piquet" on the website. It is a little odd at first when one is used to IGO YOUGO games. I think it is better at simulating battlefield "friction" as Clauswitz puts it. I am sure you are not the first commander to be frustrated at his troops lack of motivation.
One thing to remember is that when you do pull that Move card, it can sometimes result in three moves! And if you roll "even" thats a formation change, two moves, and possibly even shooting. One must get past the strict linear time frame of "normal" wargames and accept the unpredictable foggy nature of the battlefield.
I am sure my opponent could sympathise however, he plays the 1812 Russians and I the French, my superior deck often runs rings around his average to abysmal cards....

I am looking forward to a battle report mate!
-Eric

[Adam]

Well I love cross fire, which is an: I go, nope your not, oh wait I am, hah ha, now I'm going to shoot you, oh I missed. So I like that funky format I totally agree, it make a very real feeling game, my french forces sat and eventually crawled forward inefficiently whilst the british took their positions, then when I finally got within range they sent me packing, there was a brief period where if a few rolls had gone right I could have had a chance... but like I said, its me. The rolls/cards will never go right!

One thing to remember is that when you do pull that Move card, it can sometimes result in three moves! And if you roll "even" thats a formation change, two moves, and possibly even shooting.

For humans deinately, for myself, when I pull a move card it will be far too late, and I will always roll the single move, regardless.

[Adam]

Does anyone know what colour gun carriges were in 1879 in the south African british army. I'm assuming black barrels and light grey carraiges as they always were, but can't be certain?

[efb]

http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol044dh.html

Everything you'd ever want to know about British guns in the Zulu War except maybe what color the carriages were.

We'll keep looking.

[Adam]

K I got another one now-

Did drummers still wear reversed facings during the zulu war?

Edit- OK I just finally answered my own question- no they were abolished, though still hung on until the 1820-30's