‘And That’s The Way It Was’, 213 3rd Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601-5124 sent The Kris and the Flame rules ($14) by Chris Ferree for review. These rules are for engagements between European Naval Personnel and the various Piratical Inhabitants of the South China Seas. 18 pages of rules, plus native and European ship logs, the rules are for 15mm figs. Last issue I reviewed a naval action, which went quite well. This time we undertook a small British landing force on a punitive expedition against a Dyak village. The game lasted six turns.

Forces included:
20 Dyaks
8 Marines w/command
12 Sailors w/command
20 Pirates

The Dyaks had 1 cannon in their fortified village and fired it twice before losing their crew to naval rifle fire. Fortunately for the Brits the gun hit nothing but it enabled the natives to gain initial momentum, but that did not help them at all. They lost their chief in the first naval fire, actually, the British die rolling was really terrible it was just a lucky card draw.

When the Dyaks lost their chief and then gun crew, even though they kept their initiative they lost their morale roll at the end of the 2nd turn just as the Chinese pirate came into range of the village. The Pirates used the village as a supply base. The Chinese really beat the pants off the Sailors (KIA 7, WIA 2) in hand to hand combat, the Brits were down to three unwounded figs, made their morale and the Marines charged the Chinese flank, killing and wounding a large number of Chinese who did not make their morale throw and retreated. Thus giving the Brits to field to burn the village, spike the gun, and limp home.

Overall, the game was fun, well except for my die rolling, quick, easy to play and another great addition to the world of The Sword and the Flame. Well, done Chris Ferree and “And That’s The Way It Was”.

Highly Recommended!