Darkest Africa 5: Biting Off More Than You Can Chew...

On the twenty-ninth day of the last month of parched land, Jumada II, in the year 1278*, my master, the most eloquent and munificent Shah Wadi-Wahdi remained in Zanjibaar, recuperating.  Nonetheless, word did reach him that the Wa-Simba ap Ngoni continue to blight the trade routes.

It would appear however, that they may well have bitten off more than they could chew, or rather, they themselves have been bitten, by our old foes, the Mangbetu.

The Wa-Simba had certainly travelled some distance to the west, or perhaps the Mangbetu have themselves migrated eastwards further than previously understood.  No matter.  Suffice to say, the Wa-Simba saw an isolated Mangebtu village as a ripe fruit to be picked.

Clearly the fruit was not ripe! The Mangbetu's shaman wreaked havoc upon the Wa-Simba, threatening  the vengeance of Mulungu upon them, and from the depths of the long grass came the arrows of the Mangbetu's pygmy allies, though not poisoned it would seem.  Having thrown all they had into the battle, the tempting prize that was the Mangbetu village remained beyond the grasp of the Wa-Simba.

In the case of these chaps, they're being very sporting; normally there's no warning of one of their effective ambushes...

Truly, the Mangbetu hunger for victory, if nothing else!

Position	Faction	Played	Won	Lost	Hongos
					Gained	Lost	Total
1	Mangbetu	2	2	0	2	0	7
2	“Turks”	1	1	0	1	0	6
3	Ngoni	4	2	2	2	2	5
4	Zanzibar	3	1	2	1	2	4
4	Ruga-Ruga	1	0	1	0	1	4
4	Smythe-Bletherington	1	0	1	0	1	4

*Early 1862. Ah, I see kidneys are the order of the day...

Darkest Africa 4: Europeans, faaahsands of 'em...

On the twenty second day of the month of truce, Dhu al-Qada, in the year 1277*, my master, the most eloquent and munificent Shah Wadi-Wahdi refrained from making war upon the Dar al-Harb.  Instead, he and his entourage continued to recover in Zanjibaar from their recent exertions.  Whilst doing so, my master was interested to note the recent increase in European explorers in our own region and further afield in Zanj.  There was the unfortunate Smythe-Bletherington some months past, and after that- let me see, I would be referring to the scattered month, Sha'ban- we learned that Samuel Baker had embarked upon an expedition of exploration to- quoting the man himself- "discover the sources of the river Nile, with the hope of meeting the East African expedition under Captains Speke and Grant somewhere about the Lake Victoria".

Captains Speke and Grant.  Speke has declined to sport his rather natty safari waistcoat that has a pocket for every occassion.

It is gossiped in the market places that Baker is accompanied on his expedition by a female companion who was said to have been destined for the harem of the Pasha of Vidin, to be found on the Danube.  It would seem Baker rescued her and even now allows her to join him in his travels.  Furthermore it is said that some tribes the couple have encountered refer to her as anyadwe, daughter of the moon, such is the regard with which her long blonde hair is held.

For his part, Baker seems content to call her Flooey...

The happy couple. 

*Late 1861.  Pass the port, there's a good chap.

Darkest Africa 3a: Rumours of my death....

During the extravagant coverage of the opening of the Royal Horticultural Gardens by His Royal Highness the Prince Consort on 5th June, 1861, certain lines of correspondence submitted to the Times did not receive the attention from that august organ's readership that they perhaps deserved.  Here is one such example, penned in green ink:

Sir,

I must say that rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated.

Certainly Jones-Featherstone and Crenshaw-Williams bought the farm, and all those native soldiers I employed... WASTE OF MONEY SIR, A WASTE!

D*** it all.

However, my African adventures are over.

Well, until someone invents some kind of machine that can fire many bullets in a short space of time- Ha!- that would level the playing field somewhat. Even tip it completely.

yours, blah, blah, blah,

Willam Smythe-Bletherington

Putney

If I had all the money I'd spent on drink, I'd spend it on drink.

Darkest Africa 3: Mad Dogs & Englishmen...

<Scene:  Early 1861.  One of the more prestigious gentlemen's clubs to be found in the Empire's capital.  The servants have just cleared away the remains of a light breakfast; porridge, kippers, toast, marmalade, kidneys and so forth.>

"Oh."

"My dear fellow, what ever can be the matter?  You sound positively distraught."

"Article.  The Times.  Explorer."

"Ah.  Would it be possible to peruse the relevant article?  Thank you."

<Having attended one of the Empire's better public schools, the reader's lips barely move as he absorbs the information to be found tucked amidst the august organ's pages.>

"So some chap's come to a sticky end at the hands of some...Ngoni, it seems, in....east Africa?  Zanzibar?  Bit of a blow for the fellow's kith and kin, I agree, but I fail to see how it could prompt such an uncharacteristically emotional outburst from you."

"Blethers."

"Good lord.  William 'Blethers' Smythe-Bletherington of the Remove?  I had no idea you knew him.  No wonder you refused a third helping of devilled kidneys.  What the deuce led him to go swanning about Africa with...let me see...several score of askaris and two members of the Putney hunting, shooting and fishing set?" 

"Bet."

"Typical Blethers.  Presumably that explains the 'carefully chosen-fireworks manufactured by Messrs. Lyte, Blew and Torchpepper' that the Times said he also took along?  The dozen tea-chests of fireworks, to be precise?"

<An eyebrow is raised in confirmation.>

"I see.  What on was he thinking?  Incidentally, talking of chaps in foreign climes, have you heard from Samuel?  Last I knew, the fellows over at the Reform were claiming he'd bagged himself a chit of a girl on the Danube, whilst those at the Savage said he was Africa-bound himself..."  

<Fade out...>

Position	Faction	Played	Won	Lost	Hongos
					Gained	Lost	Total
1	Ngoni	3	2	1	2	1	6
1	“Turks”	1	1	0	1	0	6
1	Mangbetu	1	1	0	1	0	6
4	Zanzibar	3	1	2	1	2	4
4	Ruga-Ruga	1	0	1	0	1	4
4	Smyth-Bletherington	1	0	1	0	1	4

A decent breakfast; the solid foundation on which to build an empire...

Darkest Africa 3: Kabila La Njaa?

On the eighteenth day of the last month of parched land, Jumada II, in the year 1277*, my master, the most eloquent and munificent Shah Wadi-Wahdi was enagaged in negotiations with master Tharia Topan, purveyor of firearms and other fine goods in Zanjibaar.  Nonetheless, his clan did make war upon the Dar al-Harb.  One of the Almight Wadi-Wahdi Clan's younger members was soon to be reaching his age of majority.  It was seen as fitting therefore for young Rami ibn Rami was given the grave responsibility of leading a caravan...

A Mangbetu chieftain; a most wily and tenacious opponent.

Alas, he fell foul of the Mangbetu, having valiantly travelled for months to the Mountains of the Moon and into the forests beyond.  Presently, young Rami is recovering, enjoying the hospitality of the household of Prince Khalif, the youngest of Sultan Majid's half-brothers.  Some scraps of news have been passed to me by the Sultan's secretary, Ahmed bin Nuuman.

It seems that One-Eyed Abdullah and Qurd espied some Mbuti from afar.  Remembering my tales of an earlier ambush (albeit by the Ngoni, many miles from the caravan's current location), steps again were taken.  No doubt they were concerned that Rami's caravan would disturb the sanctity of Mother and Father Forest.  The diminutive Mbuti were soon disabused of this notion by sharp swordplay.

This was but a distraction.  The caravan had made excellent progress, only to find the way blocked by warriors of yet another tribe, with distinctive elongated heads.  I have since learned these may well have been Mangbetu, although they do not seem to have displayed any sign of their reputed culinary leanings.

A Mangbetu harpist.

Rami committed all his Baluchis and many wangwana to the fray, and indeed, this time the caravan was able to proceed unharassed.  Sadly, this left Rami's warriors but a shadow of their former selves.  Fleeing with Mangbetu arrows at their heels, the surviving Baluchis were able to rejoin the caravan (by the grace of the Prophet, peace be upon him), and Rami wisely sought to end his travels with all haste.

One hopes we will learn more of the encounter's details from young Rami, assuming he can resist the charms of Princess Selme.

*Early 1861.  Kedgeree, anyone?

NVA: Faaahsands of 'em...

Just a quick post, but the painting up of NVA infantry for Charlie Don't Surf has come to an end.  So in some respects, the cunning plan to retire Charlie for a while and thereby focus on painting up various Vietnam related kit from the lead pile is working.

However, Charlie will now come back in July for an appearance at Devizes and District Wargames Group's show, Attack.  I also discovered that my 15mm NVA infantry run into enough numbers to allow not one, but two companies to be fielded.  A firebase assault scenario definitely beckons for later in the year...

Darkest Africa 2: There's Something Wrong With Our Bloody Guns...

On the twelfth day of the month of truce, Dhu al-Qada, in the year 1276*, my master, the most eloquent and munificent Shah Wadi-Wahdi did continue his travels across Zanji.

However, it is a tale of woe, shameful pride and discount gunpowder which I must share with you this evening.

My master's caravan was by now somewhat further to the south of our location when I last I spoke to you.  Word had reached us from fellow believers that the Ngoni of this region were no more than donkeys dressed as lions, despite the fearsome reputation they had amongst others.  The caravan therefore marched onwards boldly, our brave Baluchis blazing a path before them.

Our brave- and victorious- opponent.

Alas, it became very clear that we had been spotted, for soon the lush long grass all around us was filled with the whispering of warriors and the rustling of their preparations to ambush us.  One-eyed Abdullahi and Qurd quickly scouted out safe passage for Kibonghe and our baggage, and drew them along that route accompanied by some of our loyal freemen.  The remainder of our force prepared for battle.

God be praised, we thought, for very soon the enemy revealed themselves, and in fewer numbers than when we had encountered the rascally Ruga-Ruga.  Arrogantly, our jezail armed troops drew themselves into a firing line at the head of our caravan, where the enemy were charging head-on.  Likewise our wangwana did the same to cover the caravn's right flank, where the enemy were also massing to charge.  What could go wrong?

Well, much could go wrong.  As the saying has it, "pride goes before a fall".   Despite the volleys of fire from both the Baluchis and wangwana, naught but a single enemy died- A thousand curses be rained down upon the mangy Teutonic cur that sold us such inferior powder for our guns**!  Disaster then fell upon disaster, for these were not any ordinary spearmen who closed with us in melee.  These were truly warriors, the equal of our own swordsmen to be found in the dar al-Harb (may my tongue be struck silent if I lie).

Soon our swordsmen were surrounded and outnumbered by their foe, despite desperately trying to give a good account of themselves.  Our wangwana never stood a chance.  It is true that they did not yield to the enemy onslaught, no dount inspired by the Shah's honeyed words, but is also true that they were clearly no match for the Ngoni warriors.  My master's caravan was therefore forced to abandon its intended route (along with some of its precious hongo) and seek an alternative direction.

Truly, we are most humbled!

Position	Faction	Played	Won	Lost	Hongos Gained	Hongos Lost	Hongo Total
1	“Turks”	1	1	0	1	0	6
2	Zanzibar	2	1	1	1	1	5
2	Ngoni	2	1	1	1	1	5
4	Ruga-Ruga	1	0	1	0	1	4

*Late 1860.  Probably supper time.

**The O'Swald Trading Company, Shangani Street, Stone Town, Zanjibaar.  In future we shall take our custom to the Tharia Topan Trading Company, No. 22 Hamami Street.  

Shiny...

The plan was to use free time to continue add to the painted Zanzibari force for nineteenth century Africa, and to paint up some more NVA for Vietnam (the VC have been subbing for some time now).

However, ever the megalomaniac, Doc Neodynium came up with a bit of an epic wheeze about a month ago (well, by our paltry standards), and we had our second natter about it yesterday, the main point being whether we could actually complete his grandiose vision, and what we could do to keep on schedule.  Anyway, the Doc is doing all the work at present, so it was a mixture of guilt and inspiration from what he'd built so far that prompted a magpie-like fluttering onto the following models (work in progress shots, unfortunately)...

Hm.  What in 7TV requires figures like these?

...it was always difficult for the Hunter/Killers when they bumped into embarrassing old Uncle K1...

...with Federation Security and redshirts in front of him, "Grief" Travers felt quite safe from harm...