From NoelW - Rocket Man : Benito’s Brook: (35 points)

As we’re winding our way through the forest surrounding Benito's Brook, a wild phoenix of light and fire crashes overhead, scattering our little column. There’s an explosion somewhere in the rear. Pardon me – it’s the stress. Behind us trees are aflame.

I take a quick roll-call. Only the sergeant missing – although his still-smoking boots are all present and correct. Apparently he saw a pretty sparkly missile rushing overhead so reached up to catch it. Typical – and that’s him all over. (*)

Strangely, no-one wants to fill his shoes, even after we’ve put out all the flames.

“Duck!” comes an unexpected cry from within the undergrowth.

A little hoisin-oriented brunch would actually be quite welcome just about now, so we keep a sharp eye out for the apparent mallard – when an erratic, fizzing snake of flame shoots overhead and immolates a clump of innocent coconuts.

That’s a shame. It will definitely have scared the duck away.

“Get down!” comes the cry again. “Lieutenant Benito’s having target practice and he’s lost his glasses."

Two men emerge from the trees, dragging a box of what I hope is pancakes and shredded onion. 

But it’s not. It’s filled with rockets.

“We’ve pinched his ammo,” they say, keeping their heads low. “He’ll run out in a few minutes. Just keep low till the trees stop exploding and with luck most of us will be fine.”

A banana palm shatters about us and roast bananas descend around us in a rain of scorched green and yellow.

Ah well, if you can’t get duck, make the best of passing bananas, as I’m sure some old saying has it. Blowing on my fingers, I carefully peel a singed fruit.

(* See The Wizard of Oz, 1939)

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So I decided this time to stick with the Zulu War for “insurmountable odds”, as with my previous visit here, because I’d two vignettes awaiting work: a rocket troop and a pair of beleaguered soldiers making their rounds behind the lines, despite their wounds, heroically doling out ammunition. The rocket troop is a Warlord model,

and I think the two soldiers are Redoubt – I’ve certainly had them for many years, deep within the lead pile, awaiting both a brush with the Zulus and a brush with paint on it.

Points: 5 x 28mm foot = 25, 1 artillery piece =10: TOTAL 35 pts

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By Paul:
Well thats a snazzy whoosh-bang and no mistake! I dont blame young Lieutenant Benito for his enthusiasm - its what subalterns are for after all, they certainly aren't there for their sensibilities and experience!

The Hales Rocket is, for me, a must have for the Zulu War. Not very effective usually, but it was quite the innovation for the time. Then again, so was the Gatling gun and that was quite the success in the hand of the Naval landing parties - cant have one without the other!  And who can forget their appearance in Zulu Dawn? 

So well done that man - 65 points in total. Here are some matches for young Mr Benito to play with...

Edited by TamsinP - the location bonus points were added by mistake (this is Noel's 2nd visit to the location) and have now been removed.