A MAORI WARS QUARTET 4

Fight in the Fog - Tapapa - 25th January 1870 by Nick Stock (NZ)

Background - A mixed force of Armed Constabulary and Maori Kupapa were closing in on the Maori Ringatu mystic, Te Kooti, at his base not far North of Lake Taupo. The Government forces outnumbered Te Kooti, and were most concerned that he would slip through their fingers, as he had done many times before. Concealed by heavy fog, Te Kooti had however resolved to give his opponents a bloody nose before withdrawing.

The Battlefield - Either player places a dozen small hillocks, and a dozen pieces of dense bush fairly randomly around the table. The other player chooses which of the short ends he wishes to start from, and places a 'camp' in one corner. The first player places his camp in the opposite corner. A few muddy tracks complete the field. Put half a dozen riderless horses into Te Kooti's camp.

The Forces
Te Kooti's Men	Kupapa and Armed Constabulary
Te Kooti - Mighty Warrior, Mystic Warrior - revolver, mere Makarina Baker - Mighty Warrior - T&C Carbine Hakaraia - Warrior - Shotgun, mere Tamaikowha - Warrior - enfield, hatchet Tioiori - Warrior - enfield, knife Hika - Young Blood - shotgun, mere Rua - Young Blood - enfield, hatchet, revolver Katene - Young Blood - shotgun, hatchet	Kepa te Rangihiwinui - Mighty Warrior - T&C Carbine, Revolver Ropata Jones - Warrior - shotgun, revolver Rangi - Warrior - enfield, revolver, hatchet Henare - Young Blood, enfield, mere, bowie knife Peita - Young Blood - T&C Carbine, hatchet Lt Colonel Herrick - Gunman - T&C Carbine, Revolver, Cavalry sabre Constable Baker - Citizen - Enfield, Bayonet Constable Ridge - Gunman - Enfield, Bayonet Constable Harrow - Gunman - Enfield, Bayonet

Both sides may have up to three men guarding their camp. These figures are deployed visible in the camp. The remainder of the men are left off board at this stage. Each side has 15 'fog' counters, numbered 1-15 on one side, but identical on the other side. Each counter represents either a man, or nothing, note down which is which. The player's then shuffle them together and deploy them, one at a time and without looking at them anywhere on the board but NOT within 12" of the camp, or within 6" of another counter.

Start the game as normal. If the card turned represents a man who has already had his figure deployed, play this as normal. If it represents a hidden figure, then the person owning that figure may make a move and/or a spotting attempt with any one of the counters. Moves are as normal for a man on foot. A spotting attempt is resolved as for seeing people through woods (ie 1 per area of light scrub/wood, 2 for dense scrub/wood) but add 1 for every 6" of distance as well, to represent the fog. If successful, the player may look under the counter. He may then choose to reveal the counter, in which case he can replace the counter with a figure - if any. Spotting attempts may also be made by revealed figures at the end of their turn, in addition to whatever else they are doing.

Only revealed figures may fire. They may fire at an unrevealed counter if they can see it (hopefully it will not be one of theirs!) If they hit and cause a wound, note this on the counter but don't reveal who you have hit until someone successfully 'spots' it.

Victory Conditions

Victory goes to the first side to take undisputed possession of the other's camp, or if this has not happened in 12 moves, then to whoever has caused the most casualties (serious wound or dead) to the opposing side.

What Actually Happened? Te Kooti's attack caught one section of the Kupapa by surprise, and broke them. However, in the fog, it was difficult to maintain control of the action. Kepa's men in the meantime had also surprised and taken one of Te Kooti's bush camps, and captured many of Te Kooti's horses. Concluding he had done as much as he could expect to, Te Kooti withdrew from the field, before superior Government forces could pin him down.

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