Here is a report of a fictional battle between Italians and Abyssinians, making use of the Pz8 Colonial rules that will be soon available on the website, together with an update of the whole Pz8 two-pages wargaming rules collection.

An Italian force meets an unexpected wave of Abyssinian warriors and must wipe them... or die! Imaginative scenario, isn't it?

Miniatures were 15mm from Irregular, Gladiator, Tin Soldier plus some Dervishes foot from another unknown manufacturer (Gallia?) acting as Abyssinians...


The unit ratings were random; roll 1 D6 for each unit and see a table for the various nationalities.




Italians

8 x Askari, 1 Officer (Average)

8 x Askari, 1 Officer (Average)

7 x Bersaglieri, 1 NCO, 1 Officer (Average)

1 x Light Gun, 3 Crew + 1 Officer (Average)

1 x Light Gun, 3 Crew + 1 Officer (Average)

Ethiopians

13 warriors (Shield/Spear) + 6 warriors (Rifle) + Chief (Fanatic)

12 warriors (Shield/Spear) + 8 warriors (Rifle) + Chief (Average)

16 warriors (Shield/Spear) + 5 warriors (Musket) + Chief (Average)

24 warriors (Shield/Spear) + Religious Leader (Green)

Units were activated drawing a card from a deck (black = Abyssinians, red = Italians). In addition to this,  1 D6 was rolled for each activated Abyssinians unit, and compared to a reaction table... this made a fun solo game, in a very classic fashion.

The Italians set up their light artillery and started to shell the Abyssinian hordes, making huge casualties... artillery range is unlimited, but the firing player must guess the distance... this is always fun, even playing solo...

The Bersaglieri climb a hill, in order to gain a favourable position, while the brave Askari hold the ground and and the artillery continues to fire. But one Fanatic Ethiopian unit is now near to the batteries and one crew is killed by their precise (or lucky?) rifle fire...

The other Askari gun fires to the incoming natives, but hits too long! The Abyssinians charge and enjoy a + 2 advantage in close combat (one for sword/shields, one for Fanatic rating)... despite a desperate resistance, one Askari unit is destroyed and another is routed.

A Black Joker is now drawn from the deck, meaning an "unexpected event" in favour of the Abyssinians. The Bersaglieri are panicked and rout, virtually ending the battle. What if it was a Red (= Italians) Joker instead? 

I would like to thank Terry Pilling that helped to developed these simple, two pages long rules for Colonial wargaming. There is a draft version in the Pz8 Yahoogroup if you want to give a look...

In the last month I have been painting some colonial Italians and Abyssinians warriors in 15mm scale. This is really an interesting period, offering different situations (from skirmishes to a great battle like Adowa) and three opponents fighting each others (Italians, Dervishes and Abyssinians). I wrote some very simple rules (one page) that can be found in the Pz8 Yahoogroup and are, imaginatively, titled "Pz8 Colonial Wargame Rules". This is a report of my first (solo) games, using the random activation for Native units that is described in the rules.

Italians
1 x Officer (Veteran) + 9 x Bersaglieri (Average)
Auxiliary unit ("Orda") with: 14 Natives (5 with Rifle) (all Green)

Abyssinians

1 x Chief (Veteran) + 7 x Native cavalry (3 with Rifle) (Average)
Two units each with 18 Natives (6 with Rifle) (all Green)

First game: the Italian column advances and changes formation into line. Abyssinian cavalry and one foot unit moves on but both are annihilated by a series of consecutive "aimed fire" activations by the Bersaglieri. The third Abyssinian unit climbs a hill and fires, killing two Bersaglieri figures, then runs downhill and make a charge. The Italians loose other two comrades but manage to rout the Abyssinian. Their Native allied did not enter the fight...

Second game: the Italian column moves quickly to one hill and takes position over the top. Abyssinian cavalry runs towards them but is wiped out by the Bersaglieri aimed fire. One Abyssinian foot unit moves cautiosly towards the hill but they make the same bad ending of their mounted friends. The Italian allied "Orda" advances, but it is clear that the third Abyssinian unit has no chances, and this ends the day.

Lesson derived: I must probably adjust the firing factors, or use bigger Native units... the playtest goes on.