Amber Waves of Grain
The random scenario result was British reinforcing an outpost which was guarding a grain producing region (economic
place) and the Zulu were to patrol over a similar area.
British outpost built on some old homestead ruins in the Lashindah Valley - bread basket of the colonial frontier.
To the north a wide expanse of grain fields and grass covered, low rolling hills.
The camp has been on alert for the past few days due to reports of native raiding parties.
An approaching column of soldiers to reinforce the small detachment.
Suddenly the pickets spy a long ribbon of dark movement out past the grain fields!
As the stunned soldiers scan the width of the native line a partial eclipse adds foreboding to the scene! (stupid camera!)
The pickets immediately sound the alarm! The sergeant orders then to fire and the others to the threatened walls!
The relief hears the bugle call for alarm as well as the opening shots! The sergeant in charge orders them forward!
With a rush the relief arrives within the safety of the outpost and the men spread out along the solid stone walls.
In a sudden bold move enemy cavalry (don't ask) charge through the grain field and reach the dense grass nearby!
A wall of chanting warriors emerges from the tall grass and enters the grain fields along the entire front!
The eclipse is gone as suddenly as it appeared and the British fire into the now exposed enemy on the right!
The British fire on the left cuts into the frantic enemy cavalry with great effect!
On the right the accurate fire begins to chip away at the wall of roaring natives!
Back on the left several horsemen and their mounts are felled - the charge appears to be stalled!
A buzzard above looks down and waits for things to cool down on the right before searching for a snack!
The enemy on the left continue to flood around towards the flank!
The enemy to the center and right are driven out of the fields with casualties and back to the safety of the tall grass!
Suddenly enemy cavalry move with tremendous speed and enter the defenses from the rear! Complete surprise!!!
(this was an invention of my opponent who wanted to try a "wild advance" with horse - I called it "wild abandon"!)
The enemy on the left begin to flood towards the British hoping to overwhelm the vital flank!
The native center springs to action from their protection and rush forward to join the battle!
What's this? A straggler? He far behind the rest of the line but rushing to catch up with his fellows!
The sergeant encourages his men to keep their cool and to continue to fire at the enemy approaching their front!
The outpost sergeant orders his flank to about face and their accurate fire wipes out the enemy threat from behind!
The others continue to fire into the wave of black horror rapidly approaching them from the right!
The attackers are too strong on the left and their first wave floods over the stone wall!
The wave continues to wrap around towards the front and soon all are in a fight for their lives!
The native center rushes to join their fellows who they see locked in mortal combat with the hated British!
The native wave crashes inward on all sides and all are locked in fierce close quarters battle!
The stragglers on the right race forward to share in the glory!
The fighting is fierce and although the British take several casualties the enemy tide has been checked - for now!
A second rallying cry and the wave of muscled horror returns with a vengeance! Screams, cries, and clashing metal!
The second wave succeeds in retaining their ground and the British left is crumbling!
Survivors from the left flee out into the relative safety of the grain fields - but stragglers rush to join battle with them!
With a terrible cry the main tent is toppled and the survivors of the outpost are set upon on all sides!
It is a fierce series of close combats but in the end the British cannot holdout and leave the frenzied Zulu victorious!
Zulu - Major Victory - WINNER!
British - Major Defeat
The winning commander - what was her secret weapon..?
..."glitter nail polish" dice! And to think she hesitated purchasing them at Historicon!
