Kofler “befehle die Marines”

You will recall from the details of Kofler’s last adventure (Kofler “im Hinterhalt auf Kwuzlundi“) we left him bleeding amongst the casualties of his Askari, as the African Tribesmen threatened to overrun the camp, and to add insult to injury half the surviving Seebatallion marines, including Hauptmann Muenst, had fled routing out of the camp… As it turns out the staunch Askari did not disappoint, led by Feldwebel Buergerhoff they managed to drive off the tribesmen inside the camp then reform to guard the perimeter, while Oberst Stuehmer rallied the 3 remaining Seebatallion marines to assist them, and Herr Riedel kept up regular sniping at the surviving Zanzibari.

Seeing this the remaining coalition of Natives quickly dispersed, and knowing the game was up the Zanzibari once more dispersed off into the African jungle…

It had been a near run thing…

Hauptmann Muenst & the DAOG Askari company.

The column was forced to remain at the camp for some days as they convalesced but once news arrived of the Steamer’s return a few kilometres away they quickly moved back downstream to the vicinity of the steamer and quickly dispatched their wounded on it. The steamer brought good news however, the Governor had organised additional reinforcements (that were already in transit on foot), including a platoon of II Seebatallion marines from the Company that had just arrived in the colony and a small Schutztruppe Militia force of civilian volunteers, so hopefully in a few days the column would have some additional resources at hand. Meanwhile the River Boat left to carry the seriously wounded back and would return as quickly as possible with supplies and whatever remaining reinforcements were available…

A week or so later the Steamer had returned and the small column of reinforcements has also arrived – it brings additional replacements for the Askari & Seebatallion companies and a new commander, for Oberst Stuehmer is ordered to return to the Governor for new orders. Oberstleutnant Friedrich Muehlbauer is to assume command of the column. His first task is to ‘promote’ our intrepid hero, now recovered from the worst of his wounds, to the command of the I Seebatallion Company, while Hauptmann Muenst will now command the Askari! Herr Deutschlaender has also recovered from his wounds, and with Riedel, they join the Schutztruppe Volunteer Militia Platoon under Major (retired) Goetzpeter Hempel von Voelckers! So the column now consisted of:

C-in-C – Oberstleutnant Friedrich Muehlbauer [1]
1st Kompany, III Seebatallion – Oberleutnant Kofler [20]
Platoon from 2nd Komapny, III Seebatallion – Leutnant Fedor Schnarr [6]
III Seebatallion MG Detachment – Unteroffizier Oswin Sierts [4]
Deutsche Ost-Afrika Gesellschaft Askari Kompanie – Hauptmann Kraas Muenst [20]
Schutztruppe Freiwilligenmiliz Platoon – Major (ret) von Voelckers [5]

However, before Muehlbauer can even attempt to make plans and prepare for his expedition to move back up the valley into the jungle in search of the Zanzibari, word comes again of the local tribesmen have once again rallied against the column and are rapidly approaching, probably accompanied by the surviving Zanzibari from the battle 2 weeks earlier! All Muehlbauer can do is order everyone to stand to, and wait and see what eventuates – for Kofler, this is all getting rather repetitive!

It also seems the dastardly Zanzibari know no end! Not only have they regroup in significant numbers and managed to keep the tribes stirred up, but they have also brought along a (albeit antique) cannon! Soon there are restless natives swarming from everywhere, even the supposedly friendly nearby village – where do they all come from Kofler muses? Even the Crocodiles are restless! Soon they German camp, with its improvised barricades, is yet again under heavy attack…

The cannon soon appears and opens up trying to hit the camp, but immediately good shooting from Schnarr’s Seebatallion Marines takes out a crewman and it fast runs out of ammo as well, without inflicting any serious damage! But you have to hand it to the Zanzibari, they are willing to try anything to prevail over the forces of the Kaiser.

...deep in the heart of Darkest DOA (German East-Africa).

In a fit of inexperienced bravado Leutnant Schnarr advances the II Seebatallion Platoon beyond the perimeter, to what purpose no one knows, thereby leaving a section of the perimeter undefended and his men exposed away from the support of the rest of the force! On the other side of the camp the Askari once again are heavily targeted by the tribesmen, and to assist them Major (ret) von Voelckers moves his Militia across the barricade into the stream, so they can bring fire into the flank of the attackers – it’s a risky move but unlike Schnarr at least he can easily re-man his section of the barricade if needed! Soon attacks are coming in from the other sides, engaging the I Seebatallion Company and MG detachment – keeping our hero, Oberleutnant Kofler, and Feldwebel Orange-Haare heavily occupied.

The local Tribesmen appear - and they aren't happy!

Abruptly the tribesmen charging the Askari change target, and head straight for Major (ret) von Voelckers Freiwilligenmiliz Platoon; half of them hurriedly scramble back over the barricade while the last couple are caught in the stream and quickly try and retire in the face of the charge… Over the stream, Leutnant Schnarr’s rashness has seen his detachment stumble into a rallying force of (about 12) tribesmen from an earlier charge; not to mention a rather irritated Rhino nearby; and he’s heavily outnumbered amongst the elephant grass! Half the Askari unit (manning the next section of the barricade) attempt to bring fire to bear in assistance, while the other half have been badly disorganised from their last melee – and must quickly rally to come to the Freiwilligenmiliz Platoon’s assistance (that latter are doing a brave job holding their own despite being heavily outnumbered).

The villanous Zanzibari with their small cannon! — The villainous Zanzibari with their small cannon!

The survivor from Schnarr's escapade - hopefully he's seen that Rhino!

Schnarr’s detachment are soon overwhelmed, and only 1 man survives, the remainder falling dead or wounded, but they are surrounded by considerably more dead & wounded tribesmen – they fought dearly for their fatherland. Meanwhile the I Seebatallion Company has seen off the threat from the Zanzibari and Kofler can now come to the aide of von Voelckers’ Freiwilligenmiliz Platoon – if all goes well the last enemy should be defeated in short measure, and hopefully the Zanzibari menace will be able to be suppressed for good…?

Will the Zanzibari be finally suppressed? Will Kofler stay in command of the Marines? And most importantly, will everyone survive the (now) very angry Rhinos?! Find out in the next instalment of Oberleutnant Kofler’s Adventuring for the Kaiser in Darkest Africa!