20 October 1899, Dundee Natal, 5.40am – the British forces under Major General, Sir William Penn Symons have mustered in the town square for drill.
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"Keep em' at it Sergeant Major, drill, drill and more drill until this sorry lot really start to look like soldiers of the Queen begad!"
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"That's better, much better - but what's that infernal banging?"
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| "Look lively lads, jump to it someones bleedin' well shootin' at us!" |
As the early morning mist clears it becomes obvious the Boers have stolen a march on Penn Symons and occupied Talana Hill overlooking Dundee. The Boers have had the audacity to place artillery on the hill and fire shells down towards the town.
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They've also occupied Smith's Farm at the base of the hill and taken advantage of the stone walls around the property to create a strong defensive line.
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As well as taken positions on Lennox Hill to the left of Talana Hill.
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There’s only one thing for it – a frontal attack in close order to clear the rag-tag of farmers away, that’ll show them!
Impudent devils aren't they?
ReplyDeleteYou're not wrong Matt, they'll soon be sorry!
DeleteHi IAN- an interesting start to a new Battle- I do like your figures- they look terrific as is your buildings and terrain. Cheers. KEV.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kev, the buildings are from a cut-out book of Victorian houses, probably not quite right for colonial Africa but they give a period feel.
DeleteThat’ll show ‘em... what, the power of modern magazine-fed bolt action rifles?
ReplyDeleteOh well, nothing for it but to march to your front and trust to your luck like a soldier, soldier of the queen.
Good luck old man.
Rob, I have great faith in the men but they need to stay shoulder to shoulder to keep those ranks nice and tidy!
DeleteSplendid...
ReplyDeleteWhat could possibly go wrong?....
All the best. Aly
Cheers Aly, my thoughts exactly!
ReplyDelete