Colonial Games: The Relief of Bungstarter Station, Pt.3

The Relief of
Bungstarter Station
Part Three
Continued from Part Two

Meanwhile, at the river, the Askaris have advanced their line forward of the village, ready to render aid to the returning Scots, and their right flank becomes exposed. An Ookaballakonga warband bursts out of the undergrowth behind the village and rolls up the flank as the terrified Askaris stream back toward their companions at the woodlot.

The Askaris form a close order line, protecting the boats from the threat to their front, so they are entirely unprepared for a small Ouazulu warband which comes out of the jungle and sweeps around the village to charge down the riverbank, taking the Askaris from behind. Unfortunately, these Ouazulu, like their Ooka brothers on the veldt, lose their nerve and drop back before hitting the Askari flank, sparing the stunned colonial troops what could have been an utter disaster.

A large Ouazulu warband suddenly emerges from the jungle in front of the line, joining the remaining Ookaballakonga warriors. Threatened from the front and flank, the Askaris fall back to a tight two-rank defensive on either side of the woodshed, leaving the lead boat unprotected.

The small band of Ouazulu warriors on the flank, having lost the advantage of surprise and facing a bristling double rank of bayonets, turn from the Askaris and storm into the boat, sabotage on their minds, to find Maj. Kurtzman, two sailors and a lone Askari prone in the bottom.

As the Ouazulu charge the Askari line, a fierce hand-to-hand fight develops in the boat. The Major suddenly staggers against the gunwale, a Ouazulu spear thrust between his ribs, and pitches backward into the grey-green waters of the Ouazu. Major Kurtzman, he dead. Several crocodiles confirm the diagnosis.

Still, the rest of the launch's company puts up a surprising fight, considering their recumbent position, and drive the Ouazulu from the boat in headlong flight.

As the Ouazulu run down the bank to the safety of the jungle, the situation is no better for the main Ouazulu band - a volley of rifle fire and a headlong rush onto the bayonets of the Askari line has killed over half their number and they break off from the fight in a disorderly rout up the trail, leaving only a single Askari dead and one retired to the launch with a severe case of undulating knees and bowels.

No points for style, but the Askaris have managed to achieve their mission - the launches are safe, at least for the moment. As for the loss of a commander who spends the entire battle prone in the bottom of a steam launch - well, morale may actually have improved.

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The Relief of Bungstarter Station

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