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. 

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.

Zulus on the March

           Those in the path of a Zulu Warband had a right to be fearful

                         of these well trained and near fearless warriors 

                                              I painted these plastic pieces in July of 2017
 

Zulu Assault

A party of Zulu warriors on the hunt for enemies of the Zulu Kingdom.



These are 28mm plastic figures from Warlord.

Zulus Looking for more Victims

After the early victories over the British in the opening battles of the Zulu War, a band of scouts look for more stragglers to bloody their weapons.

Wearing the looted jacket of an unfortunate soldier of the 24th regiment, this warrior takes aim with his captured Martini-Henry on his next victim.

Soon the British will counter attack with over-welming force, but for now the taste of victory is strong in the mouths of these hardened warriors.

All are 30mm metal pieces from Reaper.

Zulu!

Two warriors of the umCijo ("the Sharp Pointed") Regiment scout on the frontier of the Zulu - Natal border  in 1879.  The center warrior proudly displays his British Martini-Henry breech loading rifle that he captured in battle.

The umCijo were in the spearhead of the attack on the British camp at Isandlwana destroying the Natal Natives, and companies A and F of the 24th Foot.

In close support is a warrior in a captured jacket of the Natal Mounted Police firing another British Martini-Henry Rifle.

The umCijo was one of the most active Zulu regiments in the Zulu War as they were also involved in the battles of Kambula and  Gingindlovu, before being destroyed at Ulundi.

These large 30mm metal pieces are from Reaper.

Zulu WIP

Tree warriors of the great Zulu nation make ready for their next adventure.

These metal pieces are large 30mm pieces from the Chronoscope range from Reaper miniatures.