It is dawn on the 28th of November 1899 and, having recovered from the hard fighting at Graspan, Lord Methuen's column is nearing the Modder River as they continue the advance to relieve Kimberley.
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| Colonel Colville is reporting to Lord Methuen. "Sir, the Modder River is just ahead shall I order scouts forward?" "No need Colville, I reconnoitered there personally yesterday and the crossing is not defended." |
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| "Perhaps so sir but it wouldn't hurt to send forward a troop of cavalry would it?" "You worry too much Colville, the Boers will likely have headed to the high ground at Magersfontein, they wouldn't stand here against British troops on level ground!" |
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| "Dig in lads and adjust your sights to 600yds, that's where we'll hit 'em!" |
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| "Site those guns carefully so you can sweep the open ground if the Brits dare to advance!" |
Next up the battle of Modder River.
What! The Boers seem to have more guns than the Queen-Empress. What is going on here? Also, I need to have a word with Lord Methuen - an undefended river yesterday is yesterday's news! Time spent in reconnaissance is never wasted which is what Lord M's career will be if he doesn't buck up his ideas.
ReplyDeleteMethuen did originally have plans to flank the Boers but convinced himself (against intelligence to the contrary) that there was only a token enemy force at Modder River. Oh well, here we go again…
DeleteOh dear this does not bode well !
ReplyDeleteNonsense old chap, we’ll soon push aside that rag-tag of farmers and be in Kimberley in time for tea!
DeleteGreat photos here IAN- the figures look terrific- seem to detect some NEW buildings? Cheers. KEV.
ReplyDeleteThe large building represents the hotel at the river crossing. I've had it a while and it is a HO OO cardboard model from a Victorian village cut-out book. The farm building is a 15mm resin one of the Robinson House at Bull Run by Hovels!
DeleteEverything looks great Ian! Your figures and scenery are excellent! Overconfidence and an imperious attitude are not good attributes for a military leader! Perhaps he will learn a lesson? Or more likely, he won't!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brad, my suspicion is that he won’t!
DeleteGROAN...will we ever learn? Perhaps in time for the next war?
ReplyDeleteDon’t be ridiculous our plan is to teach the men to advance very slowly towards enemy machine guns - it can’t fail!
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