Talking Shop Five Wargames
Part I

The Second Wargame: Isikala-Intaba

by Gary Richard

The Second game was in a different home, on 5 by 20 feet of ping-pong tables. Only four people showed-up, so we had two to a side.

THE BATTLE OF ISIKALA-INTABA (The Pass Between the Hills)

As before, the British orders were to advance to the other end of the board and build a fort. This time, the terrain was much sore open and flat. The troops were the 7 same as the first battle except that the Zulus were reduced by one regiment.

Excerpts from the BASIC UNIT HISTORIES:

"B' Troop, NNH. Upon approaching the hills, 'B' Troop split into three patrols and scouted on the right, left and center. The left flank patrol uncovered the uMbonaebi. The patrol evaded one charge, but was caught by a second and lost 2 men wounded and one dead.

On the right, that patrol was midway between the South and North hills when the uNokenke came over the North hill at a run. With the 1st platoon of the 24th and the gatling gun in support, the NNH patrol actually counter-charged one of the attacking iviyos! Only eight Zulus survived to flee, but the patrol lost one man wounded and two dead - the troop's officer and sergeant, both of whom had survived Mara's Drift. Later in the battle the remaining troopers regrouped and prevented an iviyo of the uMbonambi from taking the 2nd platoon of the 24th in flank.

let latoon, 'A' Company. After the NNH made contact with the Zulus, the 1st Platoon advanced and formed line facing north, from South Hill to the southern end of West Hill. The Lieutenant led five men to the right where they fired into the flank of the iviyo attacking the NNH right flank patrol. This detachment then fell back (recovering their one wounded comrade) and joined the rest of their platoon in smashing an assault by another iviyo of the uNokenke. The 1st platoon commander personally shot no less than 4 enemy warriors and leaders.

2nd Platoon. The 2nd Platoon was led by the British commander at Nara's Drift. 2nd Platoon formed its line to the left of 1st Platoon, and repulsed the charge of the uMbonaebi with fire and melee. 2nd Platoon lost seven men wounded and three dead.

As for the Zulus, they just charged and got shot down. They had the gatling gun they captured at Mara's Drift, but were unable to roll the '6' they needed to fire an effective volley.

    ISISKALA-INTABA CASUALTIES
    British: 6 Dead, 12 Wounded
    Zulus 70 dead

Talking Shop Five Wargames Part I

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