I wrote this about five years ago because a couple of my projects, i.e. Albuera in the Peninsular and Sipe Sipe in South America, had stalled because I didn’t like any of the available horse and musket rules. Inspired by Roland’s WW1 experiment I wondered if I could make a horse and musket variant for Crossfire. These rules have now remained raw and unplayed for some time. I stopped work on them because I decided I had bent the rules so far that it is no longer Crossfire. But rather than having it lurk on my hard drive any longer, and because Jamie asked about it, I thought I’d share. What do you think?
New Zealand Wars
The Maori called their wars with the British Te Riri Pakeha (The White Man’s Anger), rather more poetic than the names that European history has passed down (New Zealand Wars, Colonial Wars, Land Wars, or Maori Wars). These wars are unusual for the Colonial period with small native forces facing a vastly superior European opponent. The Maori managed to beat their British opponents time and again, despite technological and numerical disadvantages. Ultimately however those European advantages led to victory and New Zealand as we know it today.
2018 Reflections of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian
Continuing my Megalomaniac tendencies, this is my reflection on 2018 and how I did against my world conquering goals. Check out my 2018 Confessions of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian for my overly ambitious aspirations.
Darkest Waikato: New Zealand Wars variant for In the Heart of Africa
In 2003 Martin Craig sent me his Heart of Africa (Foundry) variant called Darkest Waikato. In hindsight I wish I’d published them on my site back then. But, in the principle that is it never too late to rectify old mistakes, I’m posting them now. All words are by Martin and the rules are copyright by Martin. You can download the rules as a PDF.
2017 Reflections of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian
I have noticed that my The Confessions of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian of 2015 was literally a confession, describing my overly inflated ambitions and incomplete projects. But the 2016 edition was more a reflection on my progress against those goals. It has been a 23 months since the 2016 edition and it is time to revisit. But I’m going to split the reflection aspect from the confessions bit. So this is my reflection on the 23 months from the beginning of 2016 to the end of 2017.
2016 Confessions of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian
It has been a year since my Confessions of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian so definitely time for the 2016 update. I figured that, by sharing what I’m working on (far too much) and where I was up to with it (not far enough), I’d feel bad enough about my lack of progress to limit my work in progress and get some projects finished. Well, it worked, but only partly. I still worked on seven projects this year and finished none.
Wargaming the Battle for Puketutu Pa
Attempting to wargame the Battle for Puketutu Pa brings you face to face with the Challenges of Wargaming the New Zealand Wars. A small group of entrenched Maori bloodily repulses a large number of European attackers. How to make that possible? How to make that a good game?
15mm Wargaming Figures for the New Zealand Wars
If you are just getting into the New Zealand Wars I recommend you choose one of the following three periods as the European figures required for each are different:
Steven’s New Zealand Wars Armies
Snaps of my New Zealand Wars collection. Everything was painted by Nigel Fun-nell.
Wargaming Rules for the New Zealand Wars
I have several set of rules for the New Zealand Wars. I’m not convinced by any of them so far, but I’ve put most thought into my own DBA variant and associated scenarios, and I favour my Crossfire variant.
Tupara – A Crossfire Variant for the New Zealand Wars
Tupara (literally two-barrel) were the double-barrelled shotguns favoured by the Maori in the New Zealand Wars. Given the devastation this weapon caused amongst their European opponents it seems an appropriate name for a Crossfire variant for the New Zealand Wars.
Wargaming the Battle for Ruapekapeka Pa
The Battle for Ruapekapeka Pa (‘The Bat’s Nest’) was the last engagement of Hone Heki’s War.
Challenges of Wargaming the New Zealand Wars
The New Zealand Wars pose a severe challenge for the wargamer. The challenge derives from a combination of the following three factors:
Wargaming the Battle of Te Ahuahu
There is much in the description of the Battle of Te Ahuahu that can inform a wargaming refight.
Wargaming Boulcott’s Farm 16 May 1846
Brief thoughts on wargaming Boulcott’s Farm (16 May 1846).
Timeline of Hone Heke’s War 1845-46
The first of the New Zealnd Wars has several alternative names, including The First Maori War, The Northern War, and Hone Heke’s War. I prefer the last name as it was Hone Heke that started the war and gave it real flavour. And Hone Heke is one of my two favourite characters of the NZ wars (the other is Titokawaru – more on him later).