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Reports from the 12th Regiment of Foot, based in New Zealand, on the Kingite chapter of the Land Wars


- When fighting in the bush in New Zealand, logistics is a great pain.
- Unlike some natives, the Maori are experienced with the musket in both attack and defence. They dig entrenchments more readily than any other man on Earth, building pits and forts intended to withstand attack by the most modern weapons.
- To point one's rifle at the pit of a Maori warrior is not sufficient, for his friend will shoot you if you show yourself overlong. You must be ready to act fast, and to shoot to your side if need be.
- The Armstrong gun is most useful if correctly aimed - it has a long range and if it is aimed right the shell will clear a pit even if the warrior has ducked into it.
- When on patrol, keep your rifle loaded.
- Attacking a Pa hillfort is not to be done lightly. Plan carefully, and bombard heavily - or attack at night without warning.
- With the Snider-Enfield, it is very possible for a platoon to be broken up and for one section to provide cover fire, another be ready to shoot those who emerge and the third to advance.
- With older artillery of the smoothbore type, the gunner is in considerable danger of being shot. Sangars are preferred.
- The current cartridge is somewhat vulnerable to the rain. A replacement would be preferred, though it is less vulnerable than the Enfield rifle-musket of days past or than any flintlock.
- Fighting the Maori in the rain is preferred.
- In extremis, a particularly well built Pa may be preferably dealt with by siege instead of by assault.