In Kofler’s previous adventure (Kofler “befehle die Marines”) the forces of the Kaiser were endeavouring to suppress the activities of an (apparently large) band of Zanzibari Sklavenhändler – this they were only partially successful in doing, although they did avoid the very angry Rhinos’ who didn’t appreciate their lunch being interrupted by a battle! However things were sufficiently peaceful for the column to return to base and nothing untoward occurred until the news that a German Archaeologist, his Austrian Mistress, and Hungarian assistant, had all gone missing and were apparently being held by a rather disreputable tribe! It would be up to Kofler, Muehlbauer, and company, to come to their rescue!
Meanwhile Hauptmann Muenst had someone managed to preserve his reputation (after his disgraceful rout earlier in the campaign), and had resumed command of the Seebatallion Marines on return to base, Kofler being back with his Askari. It was important to travel light as speed was of the essence, so the minimum ‘flying column’ was assembled and quickly dispatched, consisting of:
C-in-C – Oberstleutnant Muehlbauer [1]
Kompany 1, III Seebatallion – Hauptmann Muenst & Feldwebel Orange-Haare [20]
III Seebatallion MG Detachment – Unteroffizier Sierts [4]
Deutsche Ost-Afrika Gesellschaft Askari Kompany – Oberleutnant Kofler & Feldwebel Buergerhoff [20]
Knowing the Zanzibari Slavers in the area would be unhappy with the Germans previous interference there was a high risk the column may encounter them helping the natives prevent the German column from saving the explorers. The column made good time and in a few days was soon approaching the village. Due to the terrain Muehlbauer divided both companies in half to each form two ‘halbkompanie’ detachments, and after camping within a couple of kilometres of the village for the night, scouts were immediately sent forward from each of halbkompanie as the approach to the village got underway.
The troops had not advanced far before, like a proverbial schlechte münze (‘bad penny’), Zanzibari appeared manning an old antique ship’s cannon! It soon opened up on the advancing Germans… Meanwhile elsewhere the scouts discovered more hostile natives, two of the Askari from Buergerhoff’s detachment blundering almost into the very middle of a large body of tribesmen. These were rifle armed and the Askari were immediately gunned down before they could return fire or try to flee!
Meanwhile Askari scouts from Kofler’s detachment also ran into tribesmen, this time a large body of Spearmen hiding in a particularly thick patch of jungle. As Kofler was caught with his men in open order the tribesmen immediately charged in an effort to overwhelm them before they could fire or form square. The Askari held firm and waited until they could see the whites of their eyes before opening up, although in the excitement Kofler may have forgotten to order “Independent; Fire at Will”! However the adjacent Seebatallion detachment provided some partial support from a neighbouring low hill, firing into the charging tribesmen as they passed by (and inflicting casualties).
The tribesmen threw back Kofler’s Askari, but didn’t inflict many casualties, but they themselves had been severely depleted from both rifle fire and the melee, and despite their successful charge they broke and fled back into the jungle… (the Marines dispatching a couple more enroute with rifle fire). The hungry local wildlife soon appeared, to gorge themselves on the fallen – ignoring the clamour of the battle (another unnerving event for Kofler)! Kofler’s surviving Askari managed to rally from their shaken state, and quickly formed a small square before resuming the advance.
Back on the other flank the Marines opened up on the Azande riflemen who had gunned down the Askari scouts and the native riflemen were taking heavy losses – they couldn’t match the Seebatallion firepower. The Askari unit was unable to help, as its view of the fire fight was obscured by the thick jungle. However another group of tribesmen soon appeared, trying to sneak up on the Imperial Kaiser’s forces without being exposed to the Seebatallion Maxim Machine Gun or deadly Riflemen. The Marines then staunchly charged the Zanzibari gun, hoping to overrun it, however the Zanzibari simply fled – abandoning it to the Marines (who later discovered it had no ammunition remaining anyway).
The Zanzibari gunners made a bee-line for the village, trying to entice the Germans to recklessly charge after them, into the field of fire of a well camouflaged force of Zanzibari riflemen. Meanwhile more tribesmen appeared in the village, the noise of battle distracting them from preparing their (human) feast for dinner!Steadily Kofler, Muenst, Orange-Haare, Sierts, and Buergerhoff forced their way up the jungle trails towards the village. Yet another native force appeared from hiding, charging one of the Seebatallion detachments unexpectedly, hoping to catch them by surprise. However the Marines were too good, and managed to reform from Open Order into Square to receive the charge. However this did deplete their firepower, causing minimal casualties before the tribesmen smashed into them.
The Marines repulsed the tribesmen, but only after a vicious melee, they suffered 80% killed or wounded, leaving just 2 men standing! However the second Seebatallion detachment was nearby, so the wounded were (relatively) safe. Meanwhile on the other side of the table another spear unit charged Kofler’s Askari, who had regrouped themselves. Kofler had learned his lesson and wisely formed the unit into square as it advanced. However the charge effectively finished off the Askari detachment, who had been left completely unsupported by the departure of the Marines to support their brethren. Once again Kofler was down and seriously wounded, at the mercy of the enemy…
As the last of the other native forces fled into the (perceived) safety of the village, the Zanzibari continued to patiently wait the opportunity to ambush the Germans and deliver the killer blow… With ammunition low, the German advance continued, with Feldwebel Orange-Haare and Oberstleutnant Muehlbauer personally leading the advance into the village…
Will the relief column be there in time to save the explorers? Do they have enough ammunition and men to fight off the Zanzibari? What of Kofler, will he be ‘despatched’ by a merciless tribesman? And if not, will Kofler be kommt zum Abendessen? Find out in the next instalment of Oberleutnant Kofler’s Adventuring for the Kaiser in Darkest Africa!
About The Game
All the figures (including animals) & terrain in this game are from the collection of Kieran Mahony. The figures are a mix of Foundry, Copplestone, Pulp, Old Glory (the captive explorers), and a couple of Redoubt’s. They mix pretty well together except the Redoubt who are a bit dwarfish but are still okay. The tents were from Hovels, the village from Grand Manner, the stone heads from Eureka and the ‘Dino’ bones and ruin Kieran has posted about on the Lead Adventure Forum in detail. The lions are Foundry and we believe the cats are Games Workshop (we think). The village fences are hand made from garden twigs wired together by Kieran. The captured explorers are part of a War Chiefs and Explorers pack from Old Glory and some of the figures are nice; while the others have some, let’s say interesting, anatomy!
The Natives had 4 bands of Native Spearmen [20 each]; 2 bands of Riflemen [20 Tribesmen/20 Zanzibari]; and 1 Zanzibari Antique Smoothbore Gun [4].This report is a modified version of that originally published by Kieran Mahony on the Lead Adventure Forum. The game was to introduce a potential new TSATF player at the Auckland Wargaming Club to the rules.
Keep an eye out for the next instalment of Oberleutnant Kofler’s Adventuring for the Kaiser in Darkest Africa!
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