Shootout At Crackett's Hut - Van Diemen's Land 1844.

 

Henry Davey and his band of bushrangers have taken over old man Crackett's hut in Reilby forest near Liffey, the police at Launceston have been notified and several constables under Inspector Smith were despatched with local man John Blake as guide.

Meeting up at a nearby hut, the police reckoned this would just be a case of surrounding the hut and they would all come quietly, the bushrangers had other plans.

In an extended line the constables and Mr Blake moved off through the scrub, the Davey gang, although having a couple of men on the lookout, were none the wiser.

The blaise attitude of the constables soon alerted the bushranger on lookout, he fired of a "coowee" and the rest of the gang were warned. When the constables showed themselves in the open and almost at point blank range, a volley exploded into them felling two instantly.

As the forces of law and order retreated another constable was shot, Mr Blake made it to safety and reported in a very loud voice what had happened to Inspector Smith at the other hut.

At this moment Mr Greene turned up with his militia, who are just local farmers that had suffered attacks from the Davey gang and wanted revenge. They were soon briefed by the Inspector and moved forward to join Mr Blake in the scrub, unfortunately George Grebell showed too much of himself and got shot, so he left.

Creeping forward inch by inch the posse crept closer to the bushrangers, musketry whistled all around, Mr Blake managed to get a lucky shot in and a bushranger went down, taking advantage the right flank ran in, Crackett's hut was almost within reach.

With both the bushrangers outside the hut now out of action, the rest of the gang were sitting ducks, but they still wouldn't surrender. Gaining access to the rear of the hut one of the farmers fired into the gloom through a window, the shot killed Henry Davey instantly.

The last remaining bushranger standing then surrendered, with his wounded comrade they were led away, the rope at Launceston will be busy soon.

Stockmen Murdered and Bloody Revenge - A Table Top Game in 28mm

                              Stockmen Murdered and Bloody Revenge

                                                       Van Diemen's Land 1828.

Near a lonely sheep station in outback Van Diemen's Land a band of Tasmanian warriors watch some stockmen from a distance. They know that if they can get close enough they can kill the stockmen before they can reload their cumbersome muskets, they also know that sheep are good and tasty eating.

The stockmen see the distant figures and prepare for the worst, Roger Jameson and his three "ticket of leave" workers load their muskets.

Spears and musket balls fly, two Tasmanians are hit and two ex-convict stockmen are speared by very skillful warriors. The natives press home their attack and bring down the last worker, Mr Jameson is on his own, musket empty and all hope lost, he dies the death of many spears.

The once popular Roger Jameson was missed at the local sheep mart, and after a week or so Police Inspector Cresswell with a constable and several soldiers went to the station to investigate.

The scene they came across was horrific, the bodies were buried and a force was assembled to hunt for the perpetrators.

The military column searched the highlands for the band of warriors, just when they were about to return to Bothwell, figures were sighted.

The professionalism of the soldiers in delivering a steady fire was telling from the first instant, it was very hard for the native warriors to get close enough to engage, but they did manage to kill Constable Travers who strayed too far in their direction.

The withering fire took a terrible toll, the brave warriors soon escaped to fight another day leaving many dead, it will take the tribe many years to train and raise more warriors, time they do not have.

The march of a young colony does not rest, soon a convict road gang came through and opened up more land for development, an irresistible tide.

Oi, that's my house!! Bushranger Wargaming in 28mm.

Oi, that's my house!! Bushrangers raid a homestead.

Young Fanny stands guard.

    With rumours flying about an imminent raid by the notorious Flynn brothers gang, young Fanny Grainger is keeping an observant eye on the surrounding countryside.

    Over near the convict station Papa Grainger is soliciting the help of Inspector Corner of VDL police and Mr Jeffries acting commander of the local militia (as Mr Trumpton has an in-growing toe nail).

    Hark!! What is this outrage, young Fanny has fired a warning shot, the dastardly bushrangers are attacking, run away!!

    As the Flynn brothers ransack the house other members of the gang put up a stout resistance to the on coming militia and red coats.

With bullets whistling by our heroes press on.

Soldier down, a (un)lucky shot strikes Private Perkins.

Even Inspector Corner is not spared the fusillade.

    As the attack is pressed home and two of the Flynn gang are wounded, young Fanny helps to keep the convicts covered to prevent runaways.

The Flynn gang make a sharp exit.

    The baddies are driven off but to what cost, one red coat and two militia men are dead and three wounded, two of the bushrangers are also wounded and the house has been thoroughly robbed, can anyone bring these men to justice!!!

Life returns to normal, but for how long............

The convicts lives go on as usual.