"British colonials" Topic

So I availed myself of some the very nice (!) Peter Pig British colonial troops and just received them in the mail. I had a couple of questions for my fellow gamers:

1. For this period (Zulu Wars through Mahdist Wars) would having a mix of figures in each unit look best (some firing, some advancing) or a single type (all firing or all advancing)?

B. Can I get 15mm flags for this period anywhere?

#. I've noticed in the Ospreys (yes, I know) that in the campaign book on the Boer War that the British uniforms have cuff colors, while in the book on the MAA book on the Sudan War, there are no cuff colors on the red uniforms. Were there actually two different uniforms for this period or did Osprey just strike again?

The cuffs used to be different regiements. I.E. if you watch Zulu, the 2/24th were a very dark green(it might have been all of the 24th). Pale yellow would have been one group, etc. etc. I also seem to remember reading somewhere the color wasn't attached(just the cuff with the knot work), but the Quartermaster of the regiement where given the task of applying the color patch to the cuff and the collar.

After 1880? or somewhere in that time the cuffs were redone to make the army more "uniformed" and only Irish regiments were given the green, Scotish another shade, etc. Until it was removed when the khaki came about.

I'm not 100% sure I'm remember everything after my few drinks, so correct me if I'm wrong.

1. How can anyone tell you what is best? What do you think?!

2. The childwell reforms of 1881 abolished regimental colours and instead a national colour was used.

When I base close order troops they are are doing the same thing. OPen order skirmishers in a variety of firing, loading and moving figures. I also try to give militia varied poses to reflect their poor training and discipline.

Also have regulars (British/Italians)doing the same thing on close order. Skirmishing is a mix of loading and firing if infantry, same but kneeling if dismounted cavalry.

Have Poorer morale/trained troops doing different poses in close order (Egyptians).

24th Foot in natal had Green Facings. All had changed by 1882.
link

My British for Zulus, 1st Boer war (1881) Egyptian rebellion and Sudan are redcoats, Seaforths in Khaki and Rifles in Green.
As each campaign and even each battle was like the football division. Every Regiment (team) had a different strip. So I keep my British to what a casual passer-by would immediately recognise. Redcoats- Not exactly accurate but a game Based upon true events.

Flags are a bit of an issue. Flagdude is going to be getting my business, I need at least a dozen British Raj flags and his full set of Afghan/Pathan flags. But he's been flakey about contacting people and has taken a long time to deliver lately.

Though to be honest, I think the last time flags were carried in battle was the Zulu war…

The last time a British regiment carried its colours into action was at the Battle of Laing's Nek during the First Boer War in 1881.

@Lion: I just was reading a late 19th Century account of the October 6th 1879 battle of Charasiab (sometimes spelled as "Charasia" or "Charasiah") which specifically mentions the 72nd Duke of Albany's Highlanders carrying their colours into the battle, and that they took were turned slightly "ragged" by damage from Afghan small arms fire. I think I read in the same or a similar book on the battle, that one of the Indian infantry regiments had their colours with them, but I can't remember which unit it was.

I believe the reforms mentioned above were referred to as "Cardwell".

As to how to base figures, more a matter of personal taste than what is "right." Ask ten gamers and you'll get thirteen responses!

I use plastics and like the "All doing different things but in the same uniform" look. With lead figures though fewer manufacturers make enough variety to make it look good. I've done it with Napoleonic Portugese with three different figures and I'd call it marginal, but with only two types I'd probably sort them and go with matching poses for each unit. Old Glory figures have enough variety, not sure about Peter Pig.