Herero Revolt - Sorting Day

Today was the day to sort the figures.  Why sort?  Because many of the figures from Old Glory 15s are in bags of mixed nationalities, for example the mounted officers pack has five different nations represented.  Taking the time to get them sorted down to their German or Herero representations allows me to determine if I need to order more of a certain type or if I have enough already.  It will also allow me to list the extra figures I will have for sale...I have no need for French or American generals or Italian bersaglieri, and if I can sell the extra figures then I can convert those funds into more packs suitable for Germans and Hereros!

Okay, here is the damage:

Germany

Senior Officers - 2 mounted
Schutztruppe - 48 foot and 16 mounted
Landungkorps - 25 (using Russian sailors)
Marine-Infanterie - 18
Bastards - none (can use Schutztruppe above)
Feldkanone - 2 guns with crew
Maschinenkanone - none
Revolverkanone - 2 guns mtd, 2 guns dis, with crew
Gebirgsgeschutz - none

Herero

Foot - 100
Shock Troops - none
Infiltrators - (can use Schutztruppe above)
Mounted - 16
Command - 2 mounted

There are a few holes to fill, but a bit better than I first thought.  There are no good proxies for the Maschinenkanone and Gebirgsgeschutz, and I need more Schutztruppe, but as Old Glory packs them in mixed foot and mounted bags, I am going to have far too many mounted Schutztruppe.  

The Herero War Review

I posted a short review on Amazon of The Herero War guide by Roy Jones and Eric Alvarado.  It is an excellent resource even if one does not plan on using The Sword and the Flame rules that the scenarios are written for.

Herero Revolt - Uitkomst Scenario

While it is available in other places, I have added the Uitkomst scenario, written by Roy Jones and Tim Abbott, to my Google Drive - the link is to the right.  This helps me, and perhaps you, find it when you want it, as I am trying to make this blog a "one stop shop" when it comes to gaming SudWest Afrika.  The scenario is written for The Sword and the Flame, but can be used for other gaming systems.

Herero Revolt - Flags

Warflags

As I have been able to secure the figures I need from Old Glory 15s (with a lot of assistance from Roy Jones who helped me select the most ideal proxies from the OG15 range), I now need flags.  Actually, I am not certain that the German forces in SudWest Afrika even carried flags or standards into the field (most likely they did not), but I still would like to add a splash of nationalist color and pride for the German side.  To that end, I need 15mm flags.

Photo from Cotton Jim's website

Cotton Jim's Flags happen to make a range for the Boxer Rebellion which includes a sheet of German flags, but the are the rather plan three part flag of red, white, and black horizontal stripes.  While I have heard that Cotton Jim's has great service, the German flag sheet is kinda blah in appearance.  Years ago when I had some Old Glory Boxer Rebellion 25mm Germans, I used a German flag from the Warflags site, and looking at the sheet they also have 15mm flags.  Should be an easy chore to print out a sheet, cut out a flag or two, mount on a pole, coat with some white glue, and give them a bit of a bend or two, and let dry.

One company I would really like to utilize is Flag Dude, but they keep going in and out of business.

Herero Revolt - Basing/Rules

I had ordered some "hoard" movement trays from Warbases a few months ago, so I thought it was time to get some of the figures based and provide a few pictures of how they will look.  Both the Germans and the Hereros used an open order formation, which I think using the Warbases movement trays replicates in a decent manner.  I am still looking at buying some different movement trays that will allow some flexibility in unit organization.  Litko also has a mix of movement trays, but their pricing for what I am looking for is several times higher than Warbases.  I use a mix of both Litko and Warbases, depending on pricing and what each company offers.

Basing will be in multiples of five, with each figure individually mounted.  This will make moving a unit easier due to using movement trays, and yet I can still have individual casualties removed from play.  This should allow flexibility with rules as well.  While I am planning on using Colonial Adventures as the primary set for this project, I can also use also sets for smaller skirmish level games, having picked up a copy of One Hour Skirmish Wargaming recently.  The mechanics are a bit different, in which they do not use dice at all, but opposing decks of cards for all actions and resolutions.  They are also very simple yet nuanced, perfect for convention settings.

Using the hoard bases with individually mounted figures does not lock me into one set of rules because of a specific figure mounting convention.  Time to go order more of these bases!

Old Glory 15s - Very Good Service

In previous posts I have lambasted Old Glory 15s for their lack of customer service and at times negativity at conventions (waaay back in the day).  I forgot to mention that when I placed my order with them back in January for the beginnings of the Herero project that I received very good service, and that the figures only took a couple of weeks to receive.  

Seemingly they have improved their service and communication, and will from time to time offer sales on their various product lines.  I signed up for their email list, and about once a month they seem to have a special on a specific range.  This bodes well as long as they can deliver their product and reply to customers in a timely manner.  I am hopeful my next order from them will go as smoothly.