The Great War in Africa
a miniatures campaign by the AAAHMGG
(also the name of a wonderful book by Bryon Farwell)
The Ann Arbor Area Historical Miniatures Group will have a number of games in 2006 that represent battles from World War 1 in Africa. We did our first one at the end of December to play test Contemptible Little Army rules. Our game was based on one of the scenarios in the Tanga, 1914 Skirmish Elite book. We did "First Encounter." This pitted 3 squads of a German Field Company (10 figures each) plus a platoon HQ (3 figs) and a touring car with a medium machine gun (2 crew) and 2 more figures against a British force of a platoon HQ (4 figs), 2 squads of Rajputs (10 figs each), a machine gun of 2 crew and 2 more figs, and a "heroic" pioneer assault team of 7 figures. The Germans also had 6" of trench and the Brits a 5 shot off board artillery barrage (from cruiser Fox).
Here is the set up of the battle on a 6 foot by 8 foot area.
Indian troops enter from the top, across a ditch. Germans deploy along a line behind center building. Jungle on left and right. Road on left over a slight hill. Raised railroad track in back right area. Germans put a ditch behind the center building.
Germans in the left woods and in trench and first move into house (below)
Below, German reinforcements arrive on the left - one squad and touring car.
One squad is in the woods. Platoon HQ is moving toward hill.
Indian force attempts to swarm the gap between edge and woods occupied by one German squad but car and other squad arrive to fill in.
Firefight and then close combat in the woods but Germans hold. Off shore artillery does not hit any Germans.
Indians take heavy losses and call it a day.
Close-up of German super weapon. British/Indian players thought this vehicle was much too powerful and turned the tide against them.
None of the figures were actually "official" East Africa troops. The German askari were Foundry Darkest Africa figures. The Germans were Pulp Figure German marines. The Indians were Foundry NWF. Some OG. Later we will have our 19th Century and Brigade Miniatures really East Africa figs painted up.
Feel free to send any questions to me
Bob Beattie