Last Sunday, Posties Rejects played a demo game of the Battle of Inyezane 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu Wars.
This was the first show at The Royal Engineers Museum in Brompton, Kent. It seemed to be a great success so hopefully will be back next year.
As its only a short 15 minute drive away, we got in the venue early and started to set up.
Well Postie did, we stood around chatting, as Postie wouldn't let us put anything down incase we got it wrong!
Right we're ready, now we gotta wait for the show to start.
Lee & Postie made a great display, with loads of info.
Blog Tart Lee, playing with his tripod!
The first use of a machine gun in the British army.
The Zulu view.
The British view.
We played a practice game the weekend before, the Zulu's were slaughtered, so Postie decided to set up the British column further back, in the first game we started on the hill. While the Zulu's started off table.
After deciding we'd play a game at the show, myself a Postie thought it would be a good idea to play a game which included some Royal Engineers, as we were at the Royal Engineers Museum.
And there they are, 2 companies of them. Who were thrown into the action, pushed out on the right flank.
The Zulu's moved first on the far side of the hill. The British stumbled forward unaware of what their column were walking into.
At this point over on the far right, or top of the photo. A band of Zulu's were sighted.
So we started to split our forces and try and form some sort on defensive line....if we could?
In our practise game, the Zulu's entered the table a little at a time, as historically their right flank, refused to move forward. But this game, Postie let them all come on at once!
Dave & Surj, try to set up with what ever they can on top of the hill.
Which isn't really a lot!
Meanwhile at the river crossing, the ox carts were making it difficult crossing the river.
But placed correctly, they could be used as a defence.
Our rockets are set up on our left.
A bit of a jump forward - The Zulu's are on the main hill
While the Brits are still trying to form a sensible line.
The Victoria Mounted Rifles and the Stanger Mounted Rifles, rather bravely, or was it stupidly set up against the onslaught of the oncoming Zulu's
The Royal Engineers and other British give the Zulu's a bloody nose!
Each Zulu stand needed to take 16 casualties before it was removed from play. Steve's unit can be seen with 3 small white dice, he must be close to losing a stand.
The Zulu's are in!
And make mincemeat of the Victoria Mounted Rifles and move forward to A & B companies of the 2/3rd East Kent Regt (The Buffs)
I then went for a wander, while the lads played on.
Skirmish Wargames, The First LRDG 1916 – 1917, British Empire vs. Turkish Forces at a desert oasis.
Sheppy Models - WW2 Company Commander
Real-Time Wargames - The Glittering River, Naval actions from the Russian Civil War
1/600th scale.
Sheppey Models
V2 Rocket
Shepway Wargames Club, Hauhausen '89, Cold War gone hot
Cuirassier Books
Where's the General?
Milton Hundred - Space ship fight?
Milton Hundred - The Battle For Villers Bocage
WWII Rapid Fire
Milton Hundred - Commands and Colors Battlecry
American Civil War
Milton Hundred - "Blow the gates" Medieval siege game
Brigade Models
The Pit
Fire When Ready UK - Star Wars Legion
Loads of Museum pics!
Tunbridge Wells Wargame Society -What a Tanker! WW2 tank skirmish
Rainham Wargames Club - 1/600th scale American Civil War Ironclads
Medway Wargames Society - Gladiator arena
Medway Wargames Society - Star Wars Shatterpoint skirmish
Models for Heroes
Friday Night Firefight - Conquest: Last Argument of Kings
Friday Night Firefight
Maidstone Wargames Society, Dogfight '69, El Salvador vs Honduras,
"The Football War", aerial combat
New Reject Chris, in the white T-Shirt getting in on the action.
Debris of War
I spent a couple of quid here!!!
Back to our game
While I was gone, Surj and Dave managed to get the British in a nice neat line just in time.
The Royal Engineers give fire.
The Zulu's finally hit the British regulars, but some bad rolls send the Zulu's back.
And there's where the game ended, the Zulu's beat a hasty retreat back over the hill, much the same as they did in reality.
That was one hell of a knackering day. In my eyes the show was a great success, there are talks of a Replay of Re-Play next year. Let's hope so!
I heard attendance was not good. At what point was this a great success? Other than the demo games look excellent. Simon
ReplyDeleteI spoke to the manager of the museum, he was very pleased with the footfall. Ok it might not be the numbers expected from other shows, but it was a good start for a show that had minimal advertisement, due to the short notice of it.
Deleteyep short notice advertising never helps BUT it takes time for shows to build their audiences. It looked great.
DeleteRupert
totally agree Rupert.
DeleteGreat looking games and museum, the bulldozer is ace!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
One guy said he'd like to drive it down Gillingham High Street!
DeleteMust be a blast to be a participant in the event and not just a spectator.
ReplyDeleteIt was great fun, Alex.
DeleteGood to see that a good and rewarding day was had by all.
ReplyDeleteShame you couldn't be there Rich, you missed a great day out.
DeleteGreat venue for a show and some great looking games on show, hopefully this will take off and become a regular on the calendar.
ReplyDeleteI do hope so Donnie, we will certainly support the show, if it does.
DeleteThat looked like fun and a great venue with some interesting exhibits.
ReplyDeleteIt was Lawrence, I didn't really get a good look at the exhibits, just rushed around snapping photos. Next time I'll have a real good look around.
DeleteGreat looking games and venue!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was Dean.
DeleteWow that is an impressive number of photos Ray and Posties Zulu game looked great - even though he tried to stack it for a more PC result! They don't like it up 'em!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly don't Keith!!!
DeleteGreat looking games and a perfect location
ReplyDeleteIt was, a great game surrounded by history.
DeleteGreat looking show sir!
ReplyDeleteCheers Michal. It was a great day.
DeleteGreat game and location, that's for sure. Thanks for loads of wonderful photos too:).
ReplyDeleteNo problem Steve, glad you enjoyed he photos.
DeleteGreat looking game and venue, reminiscent of the old Bovington shows
ReplyDeleteOthers have said the same.
DeleteWhat a great venue, and a great report as ever, Ray! Will look out for it next year.. I found out that my great-grandfather was in the R.E. and may have been at Tel-El-Kebir - which is a good excuse to see the museum!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a great venue. Fascinating about your Great-grandfather!
DeletePostie did a great job, I would love to get to a show like that, looks really friendly and relaxed. Hope you got some good visitor interest in your game.
ReplyDeleteWe had a lot of interest Norm. I didn’t play much of the game, I was talking to the public most of the time.
DeleteGreat display game lads! It's good of you to support venues such as this. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Curt, we all had a great day.
DeleteThat’s brilliant Ray … game looks great .. I do need to get to the museum too .
ReplyDeleteBloody google ! That was from me!
DeleteIts crazy Dave, It's a 15 minute drive from my house to the museum and I've not been there for years. Why do we always travel hundreds of miles to see ruins or museums and ignore the ones close to home, its crazy!
Delete