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To Capture a Blockhouse – 2nd Anglo Boer War

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Last night the lads and myself played our first Anglo-Boer War game. The scenario was for the attacking Boer Commando to capture my newly finished ‘Rice’ blockhouse and of course the young lads from the Derbyshire Regiment and a section of field artillery were to try and stop them. In regards to the opposing sides the Boer Commando was made up of:
1 x Commander
1 x Sub Commander
1 x Section of ‘Pom Pom’ maxim machine guns
2 x Cavalry 
1 x Mounted Infantry
3 x Infantry units.
The British forces, though small were very well trained:
1 x Commander
1 x Sub Commander
1 x Section of Field Artillery
1 x Elite unit
3 x Drilled Professional Infantry
In all each side, using our clubs Colonial Rules, came to a 550pt game.

The game started with the respective opposing  forces deployed 12inches from the centre line or 24inches apart. However one British unit was placed in defence of the blockhouse. The Boers however were required to have two units ready for a flack attack and Dave the Boer commander chose the two units of cavalry for his flank attack. With the game going only for six turns it was very important for the Boers to capture the blockhouse as soon as possible or for the British to hold on to it .

The game played well I think for both the British and Boers with a few new rules to try out in regards to the Boers it made for an interesting game. The Boers using smokeless ammunition and fighting from concealed or loose formations were always had to hit and if a unit had not fired before it’s first volley was devastating. An in addition one of the character choice for the Boers was to be frontier trained, meaning they would increase their weapon range by 4inches……deadly when normal range is only 12inches.

But even though Boer fire was very accurate and deadly the vastly superior training of the British Tommy enable them to hold the line and deliver fast accurate fire onto the attacking Boers. The Boer Mounted Infantry were the first unit to come under this accurate fire and was soon destroyed as an effective fighting force within the first two turns.

The Boer however learnt fast and soon changed their line of attack using cover and concealment to limit the effectiveness of the British Enfield and quick firing artillery.

Boers close in from three directions with one group covering will the other advances

Boers marksman tied down British troops on the other side of the camp

Accurate fire pins the British infantry in and around the blockhouse

My newly based ‘Pom Poms’ provided some very good fire onto the British but were soon receiving accurate counter battery fire from the British artillery, which soon knocked out one of the guns.

However on turn three the Boer flank attack finally cam on and changed the whole situation for the Boers. They quickly forced the British to change their defensive position in order to repulse a possible cavalry charge. Thus lessing the fire on the other attacking Boer units.

With fire slacking to their front the Boer infantry rushed forward to storm the blockhouse

Unhampered by the strong concentration of wire around the blockhouse they quickly overcame the stunned British infantry
So with the blockhouse finally taken and the British clearly shaken by it’s lose victory went to the Boers…their first game against the British and they win..nice work lads.

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22 thoughts on “To Capture a Blockhouse – 2nd Anglo Boer War”

  7. BigRedBat

    Looks great. The units are fewer and much more spread out than the other colonial games you've run reflecting, I suppose, the more effective rifles.

    The blockhouse is very nicely done. I bet it got hot in a blockhouse!

  10. Vinnie

    Thanks for the comments guys glass you like the post. Blockhouse hot? I reckon it sure was….bloody stinking hot in summer I bet.

    The boers are based a fewer on a base to reflect the way they would have fought, more dispersed and spread out. Looks ok I think?

    Regards

    Vinnie

  16. Silver Whistle

    Wargaming eye candy at its very best.
    What size railway track are you using and where did you get it from if you don't mind me asking?
    It really helps to set the scene.

  18. Vinnie

    Not real sure of the rail gage I am sorry, not much of a train man. However I think it was HO size or the standard rail track used by most railway model people….sorry I can not be more specific

  20. Unknown

    Very tough game for as the Brit's in that one. Being outmanoeuvred and outranged is quite a disadvantage, but then, having no cavalry support hurts too… However, very interesting gameplay against the Boers. Probably very much mimicked reality in that war.

  21. Vinnie

    Pretty close to the real thing Josh. The British found it very hard to get to grips with the Boers if they did not have artillery support and supporting cavalry. Once out gunned and out flanked the Boers would either withdraw or get captured.

    More games to come though so hopefully you might get another game.

    Regards

    Vinnie

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