At Cold Wars 2026, I'll be running two Herero War games and giving a War College talk.
The Saturday War College lecture is entitled "With Stealth and Drawn Sword: Herero Special Troops". With sword-wielding Herero officers boldly leading from the front and German-speaking Herero infiltrators – disguised in captured Schutztruppe uniforms – duping German sentries to close on German lines, Herero special troops were among the greatest threats the Germans faced during the Herero War of 1904. This talk provides a detailed tactical discussion of these Herero troop types.
These specialized Herero troops appear in my two games:
Friday's "The Trenches of Onganjira (German South West Africa, 1904)":
As the Germans try to outflank the Herero fortified trench line, entrenched Hereros open fire and charge out! German infantry, German mounted, and a battery of German machine guns and field guns against Herero regular riflemen and Herero special troops. It's a battle of aggressive maneuver, melee, and gunfighting on both sides. Bring your wits, plenty of ammo, and as much guts as you've got – this ain't gonna be no picnic, bud!
Saturday's "Ordeal at Otjiwarongo! (German South West Africa, 1904)":
German infantry and Herero riflemen are locked in desperate combat! The Germans are fighting for survival in three separated groups. Two great sword-wielding Herero captains – Assa and Kajata – are leading from the front, maneuvering their superior forces for the final deathblow. Then suddenly – the Kaiser's cannon arrive! Will the Hereros defeat the Germans before the guns come? Or will the German infantry hold on, with rifle fire and hand-to-hand combat, surviving by bullet and bayonet? The clock is ticking for both sides.
More on the talk and games can be found here: link
gets his hands on some fields and fences.