Ambush at Kororāreka beach

This is the starter for a series of games following Cornelius Farthingdale's career in the 58th Foot.  The Young Ensign lands at Kororāreka his new duty station with a boat load of recruits and civilians.  They are ambushed by rebel Maori on the beach just as they land.  A group of sailors assist from their boats.

The young ensign flips through his bible for inspiration as the Maori give his lads a drubbing!

I've fleshed out the characters below because I'm curious to see which becomes Cornelius' "Sergeant Harper."

Phase I — The Green Ensign (1845–1846)

Game One

1. Arrival at Kororāreka  

   Farthingdale’s first taste of New Zealand.  An ambush on landing from the boat, as the Young Ensign of the 58th Foot, his detachment of raw recruits, sailors and civilian passengers are ambushed by the Maori in sight of the Fort.

   Objective: Evacuate civilians while holding a rearguard.

58th Regiment of Foot —Kororāreka Recruit Detachment

Ensign Cornelius Farthingdale - bit of a duffer.  

Expensive pistols, London pattern sword.  Book of psalms.

Sgt. Bartholomew Kettle — iron discipline

“The Voice of the Army”, All friendly 58th within 6" may re-roll one failed Nerve/Shock test per turn

Acting Cpl. Edwin Mallory — anxious bravado

 “Doing His Best”  Musket, plug Bayonet.

The Raw Recruits

1. Pte. Silas Pook — eager gullible

“First to Volunteer” once per game, Pook may take a free move toward an objective/civilian (even if others hesitate).

2. Pte. Nathaniel “Nate” Rook — sharp tongued

“What a big mouth on Him”

3. Pte. Horace Lunn — steady plodding

“Reliable Lad”

4. Pte. Josiah Crane — superstitious loyal

“Bad Feeling”

5. Pte. Francis Wyle — reckless cheerful

“Glory Hunter”

The HMS Acorn  - Landing party /Sailors — Veterans (5)

1. Bosun's Mate Gideon Pilgrim — hard bitten

“Seen Worse”

2. Leading hand Thomas “Tommy” Reeve — quiet, lethal

“One Clean Shot”  marksman.

3. Sailor Hemi Te Rangi — observant principled

“Reads the Bush”  Scout

4. Sailor Solomon Vane — grim humour

“Laughs at Death”

5. Sailor Patrick O’Dwyer — bold argumentative

“Hold My Coat”

Civilians (3)

1. Mrs. Eliza Harrowell — fiercely protective

Hook: “where's me Babbie"

2. Mr. Percival Snipe — panicky fussy

“Dead Weight”  slow 2" move.

3. Miss Clara Belling — calm defiant

“Steadies Others”

The Stockade top left.  The boats land bottom right 

But capturing the abandoned campsite brings very little glory!

The recruits and sailors come ashore.

Ensign Farthingdale is wearing his big coat and muffler.  These redcoats are from thirty years plus in the future, but they were on my painting table.  

Sarge, what's that in the river,?

Maori in the bush ahead.

The recruits volley.  They kill a Maori!

The Shaman is incensed.  

A volley onto the sailors.  Three hits!

Two kills and a proper panic sets in.  Shaken.  Three ones!

The recruits take fire.  And it's deadly.  Five hits.

Two kills and two fatigue.

The Maori haka and charge!

Three hits three kills.  But the Maori lose three men too.  They retreat to the bush as the Rutland's stagger 4" back, also shaken.

The Ensign decides enough is enough.  He has lost half his force!

And the Maori snipe another two casualties.  The seamen run for the boats.

In desperation Farthingdale defends the abandoned campsite.  It's looking better as an objective now!

The sailors and civilians are recalled to the boats

But the Rutland's shove off first.  "We're going for help!  Honestly."

And a last volley by the Maori gets no hits as the Colonials withdraw.

Good game for just a dozen or so figures per side.  The proper Miniatures for the 58th next time.