Seans redressing his British figures.

[Big Mike]

....
Frankly most history is written after the event.
Mike

Mike,
I'd venture that all history is written after the event 
Simon

Yes, I was clearly stating the b******g obvious of course.
We rely on historians who must rely on other peoples recollections. Even for recent/current events there can be varied versions of the same occurrence. E.G. Who was at the party etc.
Mike

[Colonel Kilgore]

Just kidding, Mike. I knew what you meant,  but couldn't resist Sorry!

Simon

[Leslie BT]

Simon, what has all this .... to do with Colonial wargaming?

[Leman (Andy)]

It may be to do with the winners writing the history. I seem to recall that the Sudanese captured Khartoum killing Gordon in the process. Suddenly Gordon was a big hero, despite the fact that the dithering of the British government and therefore the late despatching of a relief force led to his demise. Similarly the Zulus got a bad press, despite their attempts to avoid war with a voracious colonial power, which then went on to overrun the Boer republics and in the process develop the first concentration camps. Won't go into India, China, etc, etc. I think colonial wargaming is interesting from the point of view of differing arms, tactics etc, but the tendency to think of it in terms of glory and honour is well past its sell by date in the modern world.

[Sean Clark]

Andy,

It remains the stuff of Boys Own tall tales.

The rights or wrongs of any of the protaganists in our gaming must be pushed to one side if we are to enjoy our games. War is hell and the motives for prosecuting war are best left to the history books and not the wargames table.

[martin goddard]

I think Andy has schooled us in how colonialism works.
I don't think any of us knew those facts.
Very helpful and erudite.

We need to take the actions of our figures on the table much more seriously.
Should the infantry  pursue that enemy unit falling back and thus make children fatherless?

martin

[Sean Clark]

Fortunately  my toy soldiers are made of metal and not flesh and bone so have no children.

Though that night I slept in the workshop surrounded by thousands of Piggie figures would make a good Dr Who episode where they all come to life and take over Weymouth.

[Leman (Andy)]

Not much time for my country right or wrong, as you've probably gathered from my current address.