"Zulu War bases - green or arid" Topic

Should I go green or arid for, say, Isandlwana bases? I have game mats for both approaches.

Natal soil is a strong red ochre much of the time.

I've gone for African Brown, which is kind of sandy then patches of green flock. Probably not true to life but it works for me.
FH

I went arid; but there had been a lot of rain not long before the battle so I suspect green would be more accurate.

Mostly grasses I would think, predominantly arid.
link

During the actual battles in January 1879, the grass would have been quite lush and green.

The films, Zulu and Zulu Dawn, were both made in the summer dry season when the grass is brown.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts.

I think I'll go with a reddish terracotta ground and patches of medium to dark green grass and scrub.

January:

Yes, that's quite different.

Worth remembering (a) that the British didn't begin the campaign until the grass was up to ease the forage problem, and (b) that it went on a lot longer than they'd expected.

No, I am not basing a green and an arid army. But either choice is defensible.

I went arid but later found out that Green would be more likely. Does not bother me as most people would think of the films rather than checking facts.

Go clear, and save yourself all that hassle.

If you are using 15mm figures, go with these 3/4" ones:

auction

Dan

It's all about the season; here are two shots of Giant's Castle peak in Natal Province from a similar angle:

Since I plan on using my British for Sudan, Afghanistan and India as well as Zulu I went with dried grass (sawdust). It may be wrong but it's consistently wrong…