The Queensland Frontier War was a time in Australian history that we should not be proud of.

In fact early Queensland Frontier War historians confirm the widespread existence of Aboriginal resistance but concede this evidenced only a thinly-disguised genocide. In fact Robert Orsted-Jensen’s very thorough analysis of the Indigenous losses in Queensland crystallized this understanding – placing Indigenous casualties above 65,000.

The historical setting for the scenario

There was a great meeting of native tribes, 14 or 15 in number, in the vicinity of the great Bunya Scrub (Baroon Pocket near Maleny)…. These tribes vowed vengeance and said they had already had some but were not yet satisfied. The blacks at the Toor (gathering ring) were much infuriated.

Settlers had no illusions about the main motive: their foes were asserting land ownership. They note raiders had: ‘an unforgiving resentment towards the intruders into their native wilds’[1] and were unwilling to share ‘use of the soil’.[2]

However, finer military objectives were not recorded. We have only fragmentary glimpses, but they allow some perspective. Firstly, in 1844 the Moreton Bay correspondent to the Sydney Morning Herald told the paper that ‘from their manners, and the partial conversation they (Aboriginals) have had’ with settlers, it was understood the raiders were ‘determined to annihilate if possible the whole of the stock in the district’ (italics mine).[3]

Tribal alliances with broader agendas? by Ray Kerkhove

https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=931199815359739;res=IELHSS

We have had a few games representing the Australian Frontier Wars but have not found a set of rules that give a good balance so this time I have decided to try “Dead Man’s Hand” to see how they work.

I have devised my own gang list which we will use to see if I have the balance and flavour right. The Faction details are below:

Fire sticks were in-effect “flaming spears” that were used to attack buildings and people alike (see Kerkhove).

Kerkhove indicated that one of the primary objectives for native tribes was to destroy crops and kill stock. As a result the native attackers receive one VP for each sheep killed. The squatters receive one VP for every attacker casualty.

The attackers consisted of two 20 reputation point tribes and the squatters with two 12 reputation point groups, one situated in the shearing shed and the other in and around the homesterad and barn complex. The tribes attacked from both the north and south of the homestead in a coordinated manner.

The squatter run at Durundur Station out near Woodford was becoming quite established but with still much bush to be cleared for stock grazing:

The Eureka shearing shed, shearers, sheep, and wool bales were all new for this game. Additional sheep from Warlord Games and Pegasus filled out the flock.

All of the sheep have lost their way baa baa baa!

Eureka Miniatures Hay Bales

More lost sheep blah blah blah

Eureka Shearers

Shearers in action

More shearers in action

Dixon miniatures painted as armed duplicates for the shearers

Don’t mess with the woman of the house – painted for this scenario.

Two attackers were killed in hand to hand by this “lady’s” butt – rifle that is (see below)!!

Attacking from the northern forest.

Attacking from the southern forest.

Protecting the sheep.

Deployed in the barn.

Sheep being killed by the attackers.

The farmhouse is on fire from the flaming spears of the attackers.

Beside the chimney the Chief of the northern tribe is about to be put out of action in hand to hand.

The attackers have reached the sheep pens.

How dare you burn my house down – we breed em’ tough down under!

Don’t you dare attack me straight after someone else has – another one bites the dust.

The last attacker flees. With 15 attacker casualties and another 4 fleeing for the loss of only 2 sheep and no squatters. the game was a decisive squatter victory.

The settlers rolled phenomenal dice (including four 20’s on a D20 in a row which played a huge part in the victory score. We would like to play the scenario again to see if this was indeed an outrider.

[1] Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer 5 December 1857, p. 2.

[2] Moreton Bay’, Sydney Morning Herald, 27 December 1848, p 3.

[3] ‘Moreton Bay’, Sydney Morning Herald, 10 September 1844, p.4.