This Land is OURS

With a crackof rifles, and calls to Allah, this group of local villagers' launch an attack on a hated party of slave raiders. 

With the enemy on the run the villages shout their victory cries as they cleanse their lands of the peril of slavery.

Then its back to the village for a victory celebration.

These are plastic pieces from Warlord that I painted 2017.

Colonials' vs Native Inhabitants Ready for Battle

 Terrain, Zulus, British, North Africans & Central Africans marshaling for the next colonial battle. They are plastic and metal 25 to 28mm pieces from foundry and Warlord that I painted in 2017. The cavalry pieces are from Minifig that I painted in the 1980's.  To the far left are some Ork old metal warships 

Sgt. Preston is on Duty

 Never fear, Nutcracker Sgt. Preston is here to protect your Christmas presents. So, sleep tight this Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas to All and to All a good night.

I made Sgt. Preston in July of 2017; he is 1.58 m (6'1") tall.

Never Underestimate Zulu's

 

Those who fought them knew that even a small band of Zulu warriors were dangerous adversaries.

Zulus were well trained, fearless and brutal close combat warriors.
 

Even European troops with modern firearms were in grave danger if Zulu warriors were able to come to hand-to-hand combat range. as the British disaster of Isandlwana well demonstrated.

These are plastic pieces I put together and painted in the Spring of 2017.

Desert or Jungle the 60th Rifle Wear Green

     

Be it Dervishes in the desert, Zulus on the Velt, Boers in the mountains or countless in Africa, the 60th Rifles wears Green. As the Empire expanded in Africa throughout the 19th century, the distinctive green remained the colour of the "Rifles" until it was eventually replaced by the nondescript service order khaki that the rest of the army changed into.

These are plastic pieces that I painted in April 2017.

Old Tars Landing Party

 

Armed with the powerful Martin-Henry .445 cal breechloader and the trusty cutlass, this British landing party is ready to do the Queen's bidding.

These "Old Tars" are metal pieces from Wargames Foundry that I painted in March 2017.

Small But Deadly

 

A small tribal war party is on the move in 19th century Africa. 

Even with a mixed bag of weapons, these skilled hunters can be just as deadly when hunting men.

These are plastic pieces I painted in the Spring of 2017.

Sudan on the March

Fighting for religion and nationalism are common themes for wars for centuries and the Sudan is no exception. 

In the last decades of the 19th century was wracked by war, with these Sudanese fighting against the forces of Egypt and Imperial Britian.

Some were armed simple muskets but most carried swords, spears and animal hide shields.

  Their military power was eventual crushed by the modern arms of the British at the battle of Omduman in 1898.

I painted these plastic pieces in 2017.
 

Natal Contingent

 

In the Zulu War, some African leaders choose to fight on the side of the British.

                               These "Natal Contingents" varied in quality and loyalty.

While some were armed with old British firearms, most went into battle caring their traditional hand-to-hand weapons.

After some initial spectacular Zulu victories, in the end overwhelming British firepower won the war.

While on the winners' side, life was not much improved for the African men who fought on the British side.  They became just another cog in the military of the growing Victorian British Empire.

These are plastic pieces I put together and painted in March of 2017. 

Never Ending Orcs

Isengard Uruk-Hai Orcs, and goblins set up an ambush for a column of Rohan Cavalry and Minas Tirth infantry.

With a shout of alarm, the humans realize their situation of being surrounded.

Captain Theorson leads a unit of the men of Rohan as they charge and rout a goblin unit. 

While on the Left Flank the men of Rohan are repelled by the massive Uruk-Hai'S 

Captain Theorson's victory is short lived as they are hit in the flank by another unit of Uruk-Hai. The fighting is brutal leaving only the brave captain alive.

Captain Theorson "regroups" to the front of the column while the orcs and goblins close in from all sides. One group of Uruk-Hai (the center left unit) is even taunting the humans by holding aloft some captured children (Or are they children?)

Captain Theorson is still "regrouping," Rohan charges (or not), the Minas Tirth swordsmen charge and the bowmen fire!

Combat, who will win...why the men of Minas Tirth of cours...WHAT!!!

The orcs have beaten off the best Minas Tirth can offer. The gods of war do not seem to favor the humans this day.

Even the brave horsemen of Rohan have faltered and failed to charge the fearful Uruk-Kai.

              "Rally-Regroup Reform-LOOK OUT" cries Captain Theorson!

                            Too late, the bowmen are hit by two units of Uruk-Kai.

                           The battle (if you can call it that) is a slaughter.

Even the goblins (well at least one unit) charge in for blood, after their more timid brothers send flights of arrows into the Gondor ranks.

 Another slaughter of humans, all that is left for the cavalry is to beat a hasty retreat. There will be much sorrow in Gondor and Rohan over this days events. Captain Theorson will have to do much in the future to erase this blot on his leadership skills.

This was a game using heavily modified "The Men Who Would Be Kings rules by Osprey. Tom's six units of "native" orcs and Uruk-Hai proved more than enough to swamp my four units. As usual my die rolls were poor at best, while Tom had his usual good luck.  I knew things would be bad when Captain Theorson's unit was pinned just long enough to be smashed by the Uruk-Kai. Then to have the other Rohan unit refuse to charge, followed by the disastrous melee results with the goblins, pretty much sealed the defeat.

Tom and I played this game back in 2017, I only just found the pictures today.

Zulu Scouts

 

                                   Scouting for the Impi is both dangerous and exciting.

                              When the enemy is sighted more scout forces arrive.

               Maybe a swift raid will ensue or hopefully a massive battle and victory.

                                                 I painted these plastic pieces in April 2017.

Askari's-Whan You Need Local Firepower

No matter the colonial power, they all used local troops that knew the terrain to help police and control the colony. "Askari's" was the most common name for these profession local troops in Africa.

I painted these 19th century plastic Askari's in March of 2017.