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Monday, 6 January 2020

Other people’s Portable Wargame battle reports: American Civil War

Recently, Dave Humm wrote an interesting PORTABLE WARGAME battle report on his COMMENT-DELETED blog. The American Civil War battle used the nineteenth century rules from the book, and the scenario was based on the Battle of Hook’s Farm from H G Wells’ LITTLE WARS.




Dave has also written a detailed review of my PORTABLE NAPOLEONIC WARGAME on his blog.

Please note that the photographs featured above are © Dave Humm.

Sunday, 5 January 2020

My fourth batch of renovated 20mm-scale German artillery ... and a few extra bits I found

Whilst looking for something in my storage boxes, I came across two more German artillery pieces, an infantry figure with a heavy machine gun, and a number (thirteen, in fact) of 81mm mortars. As I had a bit of spare time in between a couple of other tasks I had to complete over the early New Year period, I decided to renovate them.


They will give my growing German force some additional firepower, and will be allocated to one of my 'formations in a box' in due course.

Saturday, 4 January 2020

It's Getting a Bit Chile ... has been published

Some very good news to start the New Year ... my old friend and fellow blogger Trebian (AKA Graham Evans) has just published his latest set of rules, IT'S GETTING A BIT CHILE.


The rules have been specifically designed so that players can re-fight battles from the War of the Pacific* (1879 to 1884), but having read them in draft form, I think that they are easily modifiable for other conflicts that took place during the same period.

The rules are written to be used on a square gridded surface, although they can be used without the grid is players so wish, and the rules contain:
  • An historical background to the war
  • A figure painting guide
  • A list of suitable figure suppliers
  • An extensive bibliography
  • Relevant ORBATs
I've already ordered my printed copy from Amazon, and hopefully it will eventually by available in PDF format from the Wargame Vault, just as TO UR IS HUMAN now is.

* The conflict is also known as the Saltpeter War, the Ten Cents War, the Second Pacific War, and Tacna-Arica dispute. It is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Guano War, but this was a separate conflict between Spain and the relatively newly independent countries of Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and Bolivia over control of the Chincha Islands.

Friday, 3 January 2020

The Miles Rounders

Further to some of the comments made to yesterday's blog entry, I've looked at my copy of Donald Featherstone's ADVANCED WAR GAMES and the following are images of the devices devised by Ron Miles that were known as 'Miles Rounders'.

Miles Rounder for discovering the results of gunfire (World War II)



This was devised specifically to work with Lionel Tarr's modern wargame rules (as published in WAR GAMES).

Miles Rounder for ascertaining the morale state of a formation after a melee or after taking fire



Miles Rounder for the effects of fire by muskets and artillery on infantry and cavalry (Horse and Musket era)



I have reproduced the above as best I can, but better copies are available in ADVANCED WAR GAMES.

ADVANCED WAR GAMES was written by Donald Featherstone and originally published in 1969 by Stanley Paul. It is now available from the 'History of Wargaming' Project (ISBN 978 1 409 26138 4).

WAR GAMES was written by Donald Featherstone and originally published in 1962 by Stanley Paul. It is now available from the 'History of Wargaming' Project (ISBN 978 1 291 85142 7).

Lionel Tarr's modern wargame rules are available from the 'History of Wargaming' Project (ISBN 978 1 326 91498 1).

Thursday, 2 January 2020

EDNA and SCRUD

Over the years I've come across a number of simple but very effective game mechanisms, two of which I consider to be ground-breaking. These are EDNA and SCRUD.

EDNA (Ever Decreasing Number Allocation) was devised by Graham Hockley, and demonstrated at COW1990. Essentially, EDNA is a numerical value which represents an individual or unit's current willingness to move forward under fire. In other words, it reflects the current morale or 'will to combat'. As combat takes place and an individual or unit needs to see if they will do as requested, an EDNA test takes place, and if the result is negative, the EDNA is decreased. Once the EDNA reaches zero, the individual or unit is rendered ineffective.

In Mark Hannan's FULL METAL EDNA (published in THE NUGGET N108 in March 1996), the starting EDNA for all units was 8. Each time a test was required, 2D6 were thrown. If the resulting total dice score was less that than a unit's current EDNA, everything was fine ... BUT if the total dice score was more than the unit's current EDNA, the difference between the dice score and the current EDNA was deducted from the EDNA. The EDNA was therefore reduced.

An example of EDNA in operation
  • A unit with a starting EDNA of 8 wishes to move forward. It throws 2D6 and scores 5. The total dice score is less than the current EDNA, so the unit does as requested.
  • The unit wishes to move forward again. It throws 2D6 and scores 10. The total dice score is more than the current EDNA, so the unit's EDNA is reduced by the difference to 6. (10 - 8 = 2; 8 - 2 = 6)
  • The unit wishes to move forward again. It throws 2D6 and scores 7. The total dice score is more than the current EDNA, so the unit's EDNA is reduced by the difference to 5. (7 - 6 = 1; 6 - 1 = 5)
The current EDNA can also be used to affect how far an individual or unit may move and/or fire. As a result, it can be a very simple and flexible way to record the effects of combat without the need for figure removal etc.

SCRUD (Simple Combat Resolution Using Dice) was devised by Tim Price, and was first outlined in THE NUGGET N80 in 1991. Tim Price described SCRUD as follows:
These rules are intended to be used as a simple method of resolving the combats that take place within the larger framework of a game. They are meant for those battles that take place in the boarding actions of Naval Games, the Open Battles that are encountered when playing Matrix Games, and the confrontations that appear during back-to-back Map Games. In short, those small, but vital, elements that are part of the whole that makes up a wargame, that have to be resolved quickly or the Game itself grinds to a halt.
The mechanism works as follows:
  • Roll 1D6 for each unit (both friendly and enemy) taking part in the combat
  • The resulting dice for each side are lined up opposite each other, highest first. (If one side has more dice than the other, any dice that are extra, and score less than the lowest dice of the side with the fewer dice, are ignored)
  • Compare the paired off dice
  • The higher dice beats the lower dice (Equal scores are ignored)
  • Each dice defeated represents a push-back in large combats, or a death in smaller combats. Three such defeats eliminate one of the opponent's units
An example of SCRUD in operation
  • Two opposing forces (Red with three units and Blue with five units) come into combat
  • Red throws three D6s and scores 6, 5, 2
  • Blue throws five D6s and scores 5, 4, 3, 2, 2
  • The dice are lined up, highest first and paired off
  • Red's 6 is paired up against Blue's 5; therefore, Red wins
  • Red's 5 is paired up against Blue's 4; therefore, Red wins
  • Red's 2 is paired up against Blue's 3; therefore, Blue wins
  • Although Red is the weaker of the two opposing forces, it has inflicted twice as many casualties on Blue than Blue has inflicted on Red
This is a very simple combat resolution mechanism to use, and as far as I know, it is still being used today.

Looking back at both these mechanisms, I am struck by the fact that they would be very easy to slot into almost any set of wargame rules ... including my own PORTABLE WARGAME rules!

Wednesday, 1 January 2020

Happy New Year!

I wish all my regular blog readers (and my fellow bloggers)
a safe and healthy 2020!


HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tuesday, 31 December 2019

A formation in a box

I've begun to organise some of my recently renovated 20mm-scale World War II figures into formations that can fit into a box. The first was a Hungarian infantry 'division' that comprised:
  • 1 x Commander
  • 3 x Infantry units (each of four figures)
  • 1 x Artillery unit (one gun and two figures)
  • 1 x Anti-tank artillery unit (one gun and two figures)

These figures fit quite easily into one of my A5-sized WestonBoxes, and there is enough room left for me to add a vehicle for the commander and towing units for the artillery at some time in the future.



This size of formation is ideal for small-scale, quick battles using my PORTABLE WARGAME rules.

Such formations can be used to represent anything from a battalion (with artillery support) up to a division, and fall very much into what Chris Kemp recently described on his 'Not Quite Mechanised' blog as Fractal Orders of Battle.

Monday, 30 December 2019

European Ironclads 1860-75: The Gloire sparks the great ironclad arms race

On Sunday Sue and I made one of our frequent visits to Bluewater, during which I pad a visit to the local branch of Waterstones. Whilst looking at the rack of Osprey books that was on display, I saw a copy of EUROPEAN IRONCLADS 1860-75: THE GLOIRE SPARKS THE GREAT IRONCLAD ARMS RACE. As I already had a copy of BRITISH IRONCLADS 1860-75: HMS WARRIOR AND THE ROYAL NAVY'S 'BLACK BATTLEFLEET' (which I bought in November 2018) and I'd just finished reading Antoine Vanner's excellent BRITANNIA'S INNOCENT, I just had to buy a copy.


The book is divided into five chapters, arranged as follows:
  • Introduction
  • Design and Development
    • The first ironclad
    • From broadside to turret
  • Europe's Ironclad Fleets
    • Austria-Hungary
    • Denmark
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • The Netherlands
    • Russia
    • Spain
    • Turkey
  • Ironclads in action
  • Further Reading

EUROPEAN IRONCLADS 1860-75: THE GLOIRE SPARKS THE GREAT IRONCLAD ARMS RACE was written by Angus Konstam, illustrated by Paul Wright, and published in 2019 by Osprey Publishing (ISBN 978 1 4728 2676 3) as part of their New Vanguard series (No.269).

Saturday, 28 December 2019

British Dammallia, German Mankanika, and the Sultanate of Marzibar: People and Places

Reading Archduke Piccolo's recent blog entry about imagi-nations (and his reference to some of my own), reminded me that I had prepared but never re-published the People and Places section of my old, defunct Colonial Wargaming website. The relevant maps can be found here.

ABONEY
The largest Firdarki settlement and the capital of Firdarkiland.

ABYDIN
An Olbele coastal village.

AKOPOTO
A Firdarki village.

ALBERT RIVER
The most important river in Dammallia.

Discovered and named by Sir Archibald Creep. Named after the Queen's late husband, Prince Albert.

ARASHA
A Mottenbele village.

ARGI-BARGI REBELLION
A revolt of the Nysenezi against Imperial German rule.

The rebellion was led by Mpoko Finka, a Nysenezi mystic.

ARORA JUNCTION
Landward terminus of the railway in Deutsches Sudan.

Scene of the massacre of the Imperial German garrison that precipitated the withdrawal of all German nationals from Deutsches Sudan.

BAACC
See: British Afro-Asian Colonial Company.

"BACCY", THE
A derogatory nickname for the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company.

The obvious derivation of the nickname is the initial letters of the Company's name, but it might also relate to the Company's abortive attempt to grow tobacco in Dammallia. The nickname has given rise to slang expressions for someone who is corrupt or who will accept a bribe – ‘He likes a nice smoke’, ‘He likes to dip his hand in the 'baccy jar'’, or ‘He likes his 'baccy'’ means that the person named will accept money from the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company (i.e. The ‘Baccy’).

BAD LIMBURG, PRINCE LEOPOLD OF
Distant nephew of Queen Victoria.

He is an ex-Major in the 4. Garde Grenadier Regiment of the Imperial German Army. Visited Dammallia during the Watawi War on the pretext of wanting to do some big game hunting, and 'arranged' to have himself 'invited' to join Sir Garnet Diamond's headquarters staff for the duration of the campaign. During the campaign he also acted as an unofficial observer for the General Staff of the Imperial German Army. His life was saved by Sir Garnet Diamond during a skirmish with a group of Watawi warriors, for which action Sir Garnet was awarded the Victoria Cross.

BDP
See: British Dammallian Police.

BAGGAR-TEL, EMIR
Trusted lieutenant of the Khalifa.

He wiped out the Imperial German garrison at Arora Junction, thus precipitating the withdrawal of all German nationals from Deutsches Sudan. He also commanded a mixed force of Baggara and Hadendowa Infantry during the destruction of 'The Wickes Expedition' at the Battle of Dahmot. When the Khalifa was defeated, Baggar-Tel disappeared. It is rumoured that he is now living somewhere in East Africa.

BLACK MOUNTAINS
The range of mountains that forms the western boundary of Dammallia.

It has three spurs which project eastward. The Northern Spur forms part of the border between Dammallia and Mankanika, the Central Spur divides Lake Albert and Lake Regina, and the Southern Spur forms part of the southern border of Dammallia.

BOOTHBY, COLONEL ALGERNON
Commander of the landing force that captured Koktat during the Mirkat Campaign.

He later commanded the port's garrison during that campaign.

BRITISH AFRO-ASIAN COLONIAL COMPANY
The main exploration and colonial exploitation company in the Empire.

Founded by the then Honourable Archibald Creep as means by which he could fund his expeditions to Africa and Asia. Sir Archibald Creep is the current Chairman and majority shareholder of the Company, and its other shareholders include Sir Cedric Knowgoode, the Earl of Blackheath, and Mr. George Sidebotham.

BRITISH DAMMALLIAN POLICE
The armed colonial police force in Dammallia.

Paid for by the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company, its members are locally recruited Europeans. It is commanded by Commissioner Evelyn Hall, and in times of war or tribal unrest it acts in support of military operations carried out within the borders of the Colony.

BULIBOI
A Watawi kraal.

CAHOT, MAHATMA
Indian trader.

Came to Dammallia in the hope that he could make money supplying goods to the local natives, but has found himself in competition with the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company and Costas Pakitodolos. Frequently complains to the Governor, the Colonial Office, and the Queen about the Company's unfair trading practices, but seems to make a reasonable living despite his problems. He is the arch-rival of Costas Pakitodolos, and is suspected of supplying guns and liquor to the Watawi in exchange for ivory.

CONSORT
A British-built town in Olbeleland.

Named in honour of the Queen's late husband, Prince Albert, the Prince Consort.

COTONON
The largest Olbele settlement and the capital of Olbeleland.

CRAWLEY, LIEUTENANT THE HONOURABLE RONALD
Killed whilst serving as Quartermaster on Colonel Wickes's Staff during the disastrous 'Wickes Expedition'.

Educated at Eton. He joined the Norfolk Fusilier Regiment after leaving school, and following five-years’ service with his regiment he was seconded to serve on the Staff of the Egyptian Army. It has been suggested that Lieutenant Crawley's insistence that the expedition's reserve of rifle ammunition be placed with the supply column, rather than dispersed to the individual Infantry Companies, was a major contributing factor in the destruction of the expedition.

CREEP, SIR ARCHIBALD, Bt.
Explorer, hunter, and millionaire.

First European to set foot on Dammallia. He is now the Chairman and principal shareholder of the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company. He resides in London during the rainy season and on his estate in up-country Dammallia for the rest of the year.

CREEP CAP
Specialist tropical headgear developed for Sir Archibald Creep by the famous London hat-makers Greaves and St. John.

The Creep Cap is a peaked, round cap, with a neck curtain and ventilation holes.

CREEP, LADY VICTORIA
Wife of Sir Archibald Creep.

Lady Victoria is the youngest daughter of the Earl of Blackheath, and is reputed to be the best female shot in the Empire.

DAHMOT
A small town in the Sudan.

It gives its name to the battle where 'The Wickes Expedition' was destroyed.

DAMMALLIA
British Colony.

Named by Sir Archibald Creep, the first European explorer to set foot there. It is reputed that the name resulted from Sir Archibald's Portuguese cartographer and man-servant mis-hearing his master's comments about the county; ‘There's damn all 'ere!’.

The Colony is administered for the Crown by the Colonial Office in London, and there is a Colonial Governor resident in the capital, Port Albert, but the main power lies with the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company which owns the rights to almost everything.

DAMMALLIAN LIGHT RAILWAY
The main railway system in Dammallia.

The Dammallian Light Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company, and operates between Port Albert, Sir Archibald Creep's estate near Consort, and some of the smaller up-country towns.

DAMMALLIAN NATIVE POLICE
The armed native police force in Dammallian.

Paid for by the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company, its members are recruited mainly from the Olbele and Watawi tribes. It is commanded by Commissioner Evelyn Hall, and in times of war or tribal unrest it acts in support of military operations carried out within the borders of the Colony.

DAMMALLIAN RECORD, THE
One of the two Dammallian weekly newspapers.

THE DAMMALLIAN RECORD is an independent newspaper, and is owned and edited by Mr. Homer Derrange.

DAMMALLIAN TIMES, THE
One of the two Dammallian weekly newspapers.

THE DAMMALLIAN TIMES is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company and is edited by Mr. Arnold Hack.

DA SILVA, ENRIQUE
Portuguese cartographer, who also acts manservant, butler, bodyguard, and private secretary to Sir Archibald Creep.

Born in one of the Portuguese African colonies, he was recruited by Sir Archibald to accompany him on his explorations because of his skills as a cartographer, knowledge of African languages, his dexterity will all types of weapon, and his ability to supply clean linen in the most trying circumstances. He remained in Sir Archibald's service after the discovery of Dammallia, and has now become his confidante and trusted henchman.

DEEDES, MISS CHARITY
Spinster sister of the Reverend Noel Deedes.

She works for SPOG (The Society for the Propagation Of the Gospels) and is a self-appointed guardian of Dammallian morals.

DEEDES, REVEREND NOEL
Local representative of SPOG (The Society for the Propagation Of the Gospels).

A self-appointed guardian of Dammallian morals.

DERRANGE, MR. HOMER
Proprietor and Editor of THE DAMMALLIAN RECORD, and a long-time friend of Edward (Ned) Ricci.

A former New York journalist, he came to Dammallia to set up his own newspaper after an argument with the editor of the newspaper for whom he then worked. It is rumoured that the argument arose because of Mr. Derrange's desire to expose corruption amongst certain high-ranking officials in the New York City administration and his editor's reluctance to upset such powerful people.

DEUTSCHES SUDAN
Former Imperial German Colony.

The colony was founded in 1885, and was situated on the Red Sea coast where the borders of Mahdist Sudan and Abyssinia were unclear. The main settlement – Neu Stettin – was a small coastal port whose main function was to act as a coaling station for the Imperial German Navy. The colony was abandoned after the massacre of the garrison at Arora Junction.

DIAMOND, GENERAL SIR GARNET, V.C.
Commander of the British garrison in Dammallia.

Cousin of Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond and a member of the Wolseley 'ring'. Won his Victoria Cross saving Prince Leopold of Bad Limburg – a German nephew of the Queen – from certain death at the hands of Watawi tribesmen during the Watawi War.

DIMONEY, RAS
Loyal lieutenant of Osman Dogma.

He is reputed to be an Ethiopian prince who converted to Islam after meeting Osman Dogma during the latter's overland trek from the Sudan to Dammallia.

DLR
See: Dammallian Light Railway.

DNP
See: Dammallian Native Police.

DOGMA, OSMAN
Fanatical Islamic fundamentalist leader.

Originally from Suakin. He commanded the Mahdist forces during the destruction of 'The Wickes Expedition' at the Battle of Dahmot, after which he withdrew to Mirkat. His army was destroyed during the Mirkat Campaign, and as a result he fell out of favour with the Khalifa. He then moved to Raffia Island where he set up a self-styled ‘religious community’. The latter is, in fact, a group of pirates and slave-traders who use the island as a base from which they can prey on local tribes and traders.

FINKA, MPOKO
Nysenezi mystic.

He was the spiritual leader of the Nysenezi during the Argi-Bargi Rebellion.

FIRDARKI
One of the tribes living in Dammallia.

They are the original native inhabitants of Dammallia.

FIRDARKILAND
The part of Dammallia settled by the Firdarki.

It is bordered in the north by the Albert River, in the south by the Tifooti River, in the east by the sea, and in the west by the Central Spur of the Black Mountains.

FREDERICK, MAJOR CYRIL
Sir Garnet Diamond's Chief of Staff during the Watawi War.

FÜRST, HERR GOTTHOLD
The editor of DIE MANKANIKEN BEOBACHTER (THE MANKANIKAN OBSERVER).

GARDENER, GENERAL HORACE
Commander of the Mirkat Field Force during the Mirkat Campaign.

GOURD, MIRALAI (COLONEL) AHMED
Commander of the Sultan of Marzibar's Army.

He is a half-Turkish, half-Arab, ex-Major (Bimbashi) in the Turkish Army who was born in Cairo. He is reputed to be the half-brother of Omar Gourd.

GOURD, OMAR
Loyal lieutenant of Osman Dogma.

He is a half-Albanian, half-Arab, ex-soldier (he served in the old Egyptian Army as a Captain in the Infantry) who was born in a backstreet "hotel" (or brothel) in Cairo. He commanded a group of Jiadia Riflemen and a battery of muzzle-loading Artillery during the destruction of 'The Wickes Expedition' at the Battle of Dahmot. During the Mirkat Campaign he was in command of the Mahdist garrison of Koktat, and after the port's capture by the Anglo-Egyptians, he commanded the Mahdist besiegers. He fled the Sudan with Osman Dogma when the latter fell from favour with the Khalifa.

GOW, MAJOR THEODOR VON
Commander of 1. Abteilung, Kaiserlich Schutztruppe.

GRENVILLE, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER FREDERICK
Captain of HMS Insolent.

HACK, MR. ARNOLD
Editor of THE DAMMALLIAN TIMES.

A former Fleet Street journalist, it was his report in THE LONDON WEEKLY ENQUIRER about Osman Dogma's raids on villages near Tewfpik that led to the disastrous 'Wickes Expedition'. He was recruited by Sir Archibald Creep to run his newly founded weekly colonial newspaper after they met in London during a newspaper investigation by THE DAILY REPORTER into the affairs of the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company.

HALL, COMMISSIONER EVELYN
Commander of the British Dammallian Police (BDP).

A former Inspector in the City of London Police, he was recruited by Sir Archibald Creep to run this newly formed colonial police force after they met during an incident at a Mansion House Dinner in London. Inspector Hall saved Sir Archibald from an attack by crazed, anti-colonial protester who was trying to hit him with a placard that proclaimed, ‘Leave Africa Dark!’.

’HANDS OFF’, THE
A derogatory nickname for Hansa Ost Afrika.

The obvious derivation of the nickname is the mispronunciation of the words Hansa Ost, but it also refers to the Company's attitude to any potential threats to its monopoly on trade with Mankanika.

HANSA OST AFRIKA
The Imperial German colonial exploitation and trading company which operates in Mankanika.

Its grip on trade with Mankanika is complete, and it strongly resists any attempts to interfere with this lucrative monopoly.

HAWKINS, COLONEL WYNDHAM
Colonel of the Port Albert Rifles (PAR).

HEDD, MR. RICHARD
Formerly the colony's Tax Collector.

He lost his job as a result of his inept handling of the collection of the Native Cattle Tax, thus being the direct cause of the Watawi War.

HEREME
A Mottenbele village on the banks of Lake Bismarck.

HOA
See: Hansa Ost Afrika.

HOOKES, MR. WILLIAM
Local Manager of the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company.

The son of a Warrant Officer in the Royal Artillery, he was born in Woolwich, Kent. He served in the Royal Artillery as a bombardier before transferring to the Dammallia Frontier Force during the Watawi War, where he rose to the rank of temporary, unpaid Captain in the Port Albert Artillery. He chose to remain in Dammallia after the war, and was recruited into the service of the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company by Sir Archibald Creep after a mammoth drinking session in "Ned's Cafe".

HOTTENDRI DESERT
The southern boundary of Dammallia.

IMINDEKAZI
Chief of the Mottenbele.

IMSHI
A village in the Sudan.

KAKHANDI, CHIEF
First Chief of the Watawi.

His death, and the succession of his only son Mobhandi, was one of the underlying causes of the Watawi War.

KANDIBAR
A Marzibarian village.

KANIKA
A Mottenbele village.

KARCAS
A Firdarki coastal village.

KISAME
A Nysenezi village on the banks of Lake Bismarck.

KLUTZ, DOCTOR KONRAD
Deputy Governor of the Imperial German Colony of Mankanika.

He was formerly the Governor of Deutsches Sudan, and although he managed to avoid being blamed for the defeat which led to the withdrawal of all German nationals from that colony, he has not been promoted since then.

KNIESS, DOCTOR HANS
Governor of the Imperial German Colony of Mankanika.

The Kaiser's representative in Mankanika as well as a minor shareholder in Hansa Ost Africa.

KNIESS, FRAU KLARA
Wife of Doctor Hans Kneiss and a cousin of General Willi von Tippel.

KNOWGOODE, SIR CEDRIC
Governor of the British Colony of Dammallia.

The Queens' representative in Dammallia as well as a major shareholder in the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company.

KNOWGOODE, LADY ALEXANDRA
Wife of Sir Cedric Knowgoode.

Lady Alexandra is the only daughter of Mr. George Sidebotham, a millionaire Yorkshire industrialist and shareholder in the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company.

KOKTAT
A small port on the Red Sea coast of the Sudan.

Its capture by an Anglo-Egyptian landing force marked the beginning of the Mirkat Campaign.

KOMINDA
Chief of the Nysenezi.

LAKE ALBERT
The largest lake in Dammallia and the main source of the Albert River.

Discovered and named by Sir Archibald Creep. Named after the Queen's late husband, Prince Albert.

LAKE BISMARCK
A large lake in Mankanika and the main source of the Mankanika River.

Named in honour of the German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck.

LAKE REGINA
The second largest lake in Dammallia and the main source of the Tifooti River.

Discovered and named by Sir Archibald Creep. Named in honour of the Queen.

LOBENBOULE, CHIEF
Chief of the Olbele.

MALINGARA
The largest Mottenbele settlement and the capital of Mottenbeleland.

MANBASHI
The largest Watawi kraal and the capital of Watawiland.

MANKANIKA
German Colony.

Named by Doctor Franz Mattengloss, the first European explorer to set foot there. The Colony is administered for the Imperial German Government by the Colonial Ministry in Berlin, and there is a Colonial Governor in the Capital, Port Wilhelm.

MANKANIKA RIVER
The most important river in Mankanika.

MANKANIKEN BEOBACHTER, DIE
The Mankanikan weekly newspaper.

DIE MANKANIKEN BEOBACHTER (THE MANKANIKAN OBSERVER) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hansa Ost Afrika and is edited by Herr Gotthold Fürst.

MARZIBAR
Island locate fifteen miles offshore from the northern part of Dammallia.

It is ruled by the Sultan of Marzibar, who owes titular allegiance to the Sublime Porte, but who rules Marzibar as a despot. Marzibar is an island that is eight miles long by two miles wide on which are situated several small villages and a town, Marzibar City. The latter was called the ‘Venice of Africa’ by Arab explorers and traders during the 17th Century; it has also been described as ‘the worst, pestilential hell-hole on the coast of Africa’ by Sir Archibald Creep.

MARZIBAR CITY
The capital of Marzibar.

MARZIBAR, SULTAN ABDULAFATA OF
Despotic ruler of Marzibar.

MATTENGLOSS, DOCTOR FRANZ
Explorer and painter.

First European to set foot on Mankanika. He died whilst exploring the upper reaches of the River Wavi during his second visit to Mankanika.

MEMBA
A Mottenbele village on Memba Island.

MEMBA ISLAND
Island located of the coast of Mankanika.

MIKINMINI
A Nysenezi coastal village.

MIRKAT
A small town in the Sudan.

It gives its name to both the battle and the campaign that saw the destruction of Osman Dogma's army.

MOBHANDI, CHIEF
The deposed Chief of the Watawi.

He is the only son of Kakhandi, the first Chief of the Watawi, whom he succeeded when the latter died. He now lives in self-imposed exile on Marzibar after leading the Watawi to their defeat in the Watawi War.

MOROLESO
A Nysenezi village.

MOTTENBELE
One of the tribes living in Mankanika.

They are related to the Olbele and are descended from Bhantu tribesmen who were forced northward by the expanding Zulu Empire. The tribe is renowned for being peace-loving and law-abiding.

MOTTENBELELAND
The part of Mankanika settled by the Mottenbele.

It is bordered in the north by the Mankanika River, in the south by the Northern Spur of the Black Mountains and Mount Fillijamjaro, in the east by the sea, and in the west by Lake Bismarck and the River Wavi.

MOUNT BLOEMINTALL
The second highest mountain in Mankanika.

MOUNT FILLIJAMJARO
The highest mountain in Dammallia.

MOUNT MANKANIKA
The highest mountain in Mankanika.

NEU STETTIN
Former capital of the Imperial German Colony of Deutsches Sudan.

NEW NOSHI
A British-built town in Olbeleland.

It is the main centre of mining in Dammallian.

NOSHI
An Olbele Village.

NYSENEZI
One of the tribes living in Mankanika.

They revolted against Imperial German rule during the Argi-Bargi Rebellion, and suffered punitive retribution as a result.

NYSENEZILAND
The part of Mankanika settled by the Nysenezi.

It is bordered in the north by the Northern Usabrela Mountains and Mount Bloemintall, in the south by the Mankanika River, in the east by the sea, and in the west by Lake Bismarck.

OLBELE
One of the tribes living in Dammallia.

They are descended from Bhantu tribesmen who were forced northward by the expanding Zulu Empire. The tribe is renowned for being peace-loving and law-abiding.

OLBELELAND
The part of Dammallia settled by the Olbele.

It is bordered in the north by the Northern Spur of the Black Mountains and Mount Fillijamjaro, in the south by the Albert River, in the east by the sea, and in the west by Lake Albert.

PAKITODOLOS, COSTAS
Egyptian-born Greek trader.

Came to Dammallia from Egypt in the hope that he could make money supplying goods to the local natives, but has found himself in competition with the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company and Mahatma Cahot. He has made frequent complaints to the Governor, the Colonial Office, and the Queen about the Company's unfair trading practices, but seems to be making a reasonable living despite his problems. He is the arch-rival of Mahatma Cahot, and is suspected of supplying guns and ammunition to the Marzibarians in exchange for ivory.

PORT ALBERT
Administrative capital of the British Colony of Dammallia.

Named after the Queen's late husband, Prince Albert.

PORT CONSORT
A British-built town on the banks of Lake Albert.

Named in honour of the Queen's late husband, Prince Albert, the Prince Consort.

PORT REGINA
A British-built town on the banks of Lake Regina.

Named in honour of the Queen.

PORT WILHELM
Administrative capital of the Imperial German Colony of Mankanika.

Named after Kaiser Wilhelm I.

PRICE, MAJOR TIMOTHY MCCOY
Commander of the Dammallian African Rifles (DAR).

RAFFIA ISLAND
Island located at the mouth of the Tifooti River.

Raffia Island is an inhospitable place. It is flat, and the southern end is swampy and prone to flooding at high tide. The vegetation is mainly a stringy grass-like plant, which looks like raffia when it is fully grown.

RICCI, EDWARD (NED)
Owner of the best (and only) hotel in Port Albert – ‘Ned's Café’.

He is an Italian American, ex-mercenary, who served in the Dammallian Frontier Force during the Watawi War as a Major in the Dammallian Light Horse. After the war he used his gratuity to buy the derelict Hotel Albert, which he renovated and re-named ‘Ned's Café’.

RINGA
A Mottenbele village.

RITHANDI
Eldest son of Mobhandi, the deposed Chief of the Watawi.

He now lives with his father in self-imposed exile on Marzibar after the defeat of the Watawi in the Watawi War.

RIVER WAVI
The second most important river in Mankanika and one of the main sources of Lake Bismarck.

RUMBARBAR
A Marzibarian village.

RUTLAND, LIEUTENANT COLONEL PETER
Commander of 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Light Infantry during the Mirkat Campaign.

SCINNE, REVEREND SEYMOUR
Previous SPOG (The Society for the Propagation Of the Gospels) representative in Dammallia.

Killed by Watawi warriors during the Watawi War. Replaced by the Reverend Noel Deedes.

SCINNE, MISS CYNTHIA
Spinster sister of the Reverend Seymour Scinne.

After the death of her brother during the Watawi War, she gave up working for SPOG (The Society for the Propagation Of the Gospels) and became governess to the children of Sir Cedric and Lady Knowgoode.

SEKUNDHANDI
Eldest son of Chief Uphandi.

SIMBABAR
A Marzibarian village.

SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPELS, THE
One of the principal missionary societies in the Empire.

Founded by the Reverend Arthur Minute, an East End clergyman. The Society originally concentrated on spreading the word of God amongst the poor, the unemployed, and the down-and-outs of London. As the Society grew it opened missions in other major cities, and then began to send missionaries to the newly explored areas of Africa and Asia. These missionaries included the Reverend Noel Deedes, who is now the Society's chief representative in Dammallia.

SPOG
See: The Society for the Propagation Of the Gospels.

SPRINGE, HERR AXEL
Local Manager of Hansa Ost Afrika.

STOWE, SIR EDWARD, Bt.
Founder and owner of Stowe Steamship Line.

STOWE STEAMSHIP LINE
The principal independent coastal and riverine steamship line serving East Africa and the Indian Ocean.

It operates a small fleet of passenger and cargo ships.

SSL
See: Stowe Steamship Line.

STÜMPER, OBERST RITTER VON
Second-in-command of the Imperial German garrison in Mankanika.

He was formerly the military adviser to the Governor of Deutsches Sudan, and was blamed for the defeat of the Imperial German garrison at Arora Junction which led to the withdrawal of all German nationals from Deutsches Sudan. He has since redeemed his reputation by his violent suppression of the Argi-Bargi Rebellion, and has been promoted to the rank of Oberst.

TEWFIK, YARBAY (CAPTAIN) IZZET
Commander of the Sultan of Marzibar's navy and captain of SOMS Abduliye.

He is an ex-Commander (Oyuzbashi) in the Turkish Navy, and he was born in Izmir.

TEWFPIK
A small port on the Red Sea coast of the Sudan.

TIFOOTI RIVER
The second most important river of Dammallia.

Discovered and named by Sir Archibald Creep. It is reputed that the name resulted from Sir Archibald's Portuguese cartographer and man-servant mis-hearing his master's comments about the colour of the river water; ‘Gad! This looks like Typhoo Tea!’.

TIPPEL, GENERAL WILLI VON
Commander of the Imperial German garrison in Mankanika.

Won an Iron Cross during the Franco-Prussian War (whilst he was still only a Fahnrich) for his part in the charge of the Prussian Hussars at the Battle of Vionville.

TIPTREE, LIEUTENANT MARMADUKE
Killed whilst serving as a member of Colonel Wickes's Staff during the disastrous 'Wickes Expedition'.

TOKAR
A small fishing village on the Red Sea coast of the Sudan.

UPHANDI, CHIEF
Chief of the Watawi.

He is the youngest son of Chief Mobhandi, whom he deposed after the defeat of the Watawi in the Watawi War.

USABRELA MOUNTAINS
The range of mountains that forms the western boundary (and part of the northern boundary) of Mankanika.

It is the northern continuation of the Black Mountains, and it is divided into two ranges; the Western Usabrela Mountains and the Northern Usabrela Mountains. Reputed to be one of the wettest places in the world with an average of 2½ inches (63.5 mm) of rainfall per day during the rainy season.

WAHINDI, CHIEF
Chief of the Firdarki.

WATAWI
One of the tribes living in Dammallia.

They are descended from a Zulu impi sent north on a reconnaissance by Chaka Zulu, that decided to settle in the area when news of Chaka's death reached them. The tribe revolted against British rule when the Colonial Governor – on the advice of the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company – introduced a Native Cattle Tax. After some initial successes, the Watawi were decisively defeated at the Battle of Manbashi. The subsequent overthrow of Chief Mobhandi by his son Uphandi, who signed a peace treaty with the British, brought an end to the Watawi War.

WATAWILAND
The part of Dammallia settled by the Watawi.

It is bordered in the north by the Tifooti River, in the south by the Southern Spur of the Black Mountains and the Hottendri Desert, in the east by the sea, and in the west by Lake Regina.

WICKES, COLONEL CUTHBERT
Colonel (Miralai) in the Egyptian Army.

Killed whilst commanding the disastrous 'Wickes Expedition'. Cuthbert Wickes joined the Egyptian Army because he felt that his humble origins – he was the only son of a prosperous Norwood builder – had hampered his progress in the British Army. He was regarded as a brave, genial, middle-aged but somewhat unimaginative officer who had a proven ability in the handling of poor-quality native troops. He gained this reputation during the earlier campaigns in the Sudan, when he raised and led a group of irregular Arab riflemen who harassed Mahdist operations. As a result, he was promoted from the rank of Captain (Yuzbashi) to Colonel (Miralai) in the Egyptian Army. Wickes was the obvious choice to lead the punitive expedition against Osman Dogma's Mahdist forces even though his otherwise sound judgement had been clouded on several occasions because of his resentment of younger officers from more privileged backgrounds.

WILHELM, MAJOR CHRISTOPH (WILLI)
Retired officer of the Imperial German Army.

He and Prince Leopold of Bad Limburg served together in the 4. Garde Grenadier Regiment. Since his retirement he has concentrated on developing his farm in Mottenbeleland, although he still acts as an unofficial military adviser to the Governor of the Imperial German Colony of Mankanika, Doctor Konrad Klutz.

WINCHESTER, CAPTAIN CHARLES
Commodore of the British Afro-Asian Colonial Company's fleet of merchant ships.

WHYDA
A Firdarki village.

XOSHI
A Watawi kraal. The name is pronounced ‘Coshi’.

ZIGAR
A village in the Sudan.

Friday, 27 December 2019

Boxing clever?

It seemed rather appropriate to be looking at my current figure collection storage solution (which mainly comprises a large number of 'Really Useful Boxes') on Boxing Day ... and coming up with one or two ideas as to how to use it somewhat better.

I've long been convinced that wargame figures (and vehicles) need to be stored in two ways.
  • Long-term storage for items that you don't intend to use in the near future
  • Short-term storage for items that you do intend to use in the near future
The 'Really Useful Boxes' are great for the former, but as most of my games tend to use fewer figures than I can store in a standard 4 litre box (of which I have quite a few!), using them for short term storage seems wasteful. I've therefore been looking at a smaller range of boxes (A5-size), and the best I have found are made by WestonBoxes.

To stop my figures and vehicles from moving whilst they are in their boxes, I place an A5-sized magnetic sheet into the bottom of each box. (These were made by cutting A4-sized magnetic lined page dry wipe boards from The Works or Flying Tiger Copenhagen in half.) Each figure is fixed to a metal base (in most cases this is a copper-plated steel 1p or 2p piece) and the vehicles are mounted on 3mm-thick MDF bases with strips of steel paper fixed underneath.

I will be playing around with my proposed short-term storage solution over the next few days, but it appears to work well. I can get enough 15mm-scale figures for a Colonial PORTABLE WARGAME battle in a single box, and two will easily store enough 20mm-scale figures for a World War II battle. In fact, I'm seriously considering using one A5-sized box to store a campaign formation for my proposed Eastern Front/Great Patriotic War project, with the simple rule that if it cannot fit inside the box, the formation is too big!