BY JINGO - Colonial History & Wargames Page

"GOD IT'S HOT..."- Weather, its effects and the effects of other depredations on the occupants of Ubonga.

By Chris Ferree

In previous updates the hazards of the terrain and its inhabitatants were detailed. In this addition, the weather and its effects along with the effects of food shortages will be covered.

The weather along the coast of equatorial Africa can be described in two words, "Hot" and "Humid". The average high temperature ranges from 81 degrees in July and August to 88 degrees in March (figure plus or minus 10 degrees to get extremes). The average humidity ranges from 69 percent in February to 81 percent in May. This combination of heat ans humidity will usually put the heat index in the 90 to 100 ( or higher )range.

The dry season extends from October to March, when from 3 to 10 days of rain may occur per month. The wet season runs from April to September with from 14 to 20 rainy days per month.

It is this sort of hot, sticky, and wet climate that saps men's strength and morale. To determine the daily weather and its effects, the following rules are provided.

When To Determine Weather- The weather for each day should be determined at the beginning of the day. The weather determined for the Ubonga square covers an area 6 squares to the north or south of Ubonga and 10 squares to the east or west. Parties outside of this area must determine the weather for their location.

To find the weather for the day, roll 1D10 for the Heat Index and 1D20 for the chance of rain then consult the chart below:
Weather Table
Month Heat Index Die Roll For Rain
January 1-8 = Hazardous
9,0 = Dangerous
1-4
February 1-8 = Hazardous
9,0 = Dangerous
1,2
March 1-8 = Hazardous
9,0 = Dangerous
1-5
April 1-8 = Oppressive
9 = Hazardous
0 = Dangerous
1-10
May 1-5 = OK
6-9 = Oppressive
0 = Hazardous
1-13
June 1-5 = OK
6-9 = Oppressive
0 = Hazardous
1-10
July 1-5 = OK
6-9 = Oppressive
0 = Hazardous
1-10
August 1-5 = OK
6-9 = Oppressive
0 = Hazardous
1-10
September 1-4 = OK
5-9 = Oppressive
0 = Hazardous
1-9
October 1-2 = OK
3-8 = Oppressive
0 = Hazardous
1-6
November 1-2 = OK
3-8 = Oppressive
0 = Hazardous
1-6
December 1-2 = OK
3-8 = Oppressive
0 = Hazardous
1-6

Description Of Results

OK- The Heat Index is less than 90 degrees. Men can work throughout the day with no danger from the heat.

Oppressive- The Heat Index is between 90 degrees and 100 degrees. Any men working all day roll 1D12 . If only 1/2 day is worked roll 1D20. A result of "1" means the figure succumbs to the heat. Roll on the Heat Exhaustion Table below.

Hazardous- The Heat index is between 100 degrees and 110 degrees. Any men working all day roll 1D8 . IF\f only 1/2 day is worked roll 1D12. A result of "1" means the figure succumbs to the heat. Roll on the Heat Exhaustion Table below.

Dangerous- The Heat Index is over 110 degrees. Any men working all day roll 1D6 . If only 1/2 day is worked roll 1D10. A result of "1" means the figure succumbs to the heat. Roll on the Heat Exhaustion Table below.

Effects Of Heat Exaustion- To determine the effects of heat exhaustion roll 1D10, add the applicable modifiers, and consult the table below.

Heat Exhaustion Modifiers
Die Roll Result
1-6 The man must take bed rest for the remainder of the day.
7,8 The man must remain bed-ridden for the remainder of the day and all of the next.
9 The man will be sick for 1D6 days. He must remain in bed.
0 The man dies.

Members of mission / exploration parties that are bedridden will have to be carried if the party wishes to move.

The Loss Of Morale Because Of The Heat- Non-indigenous people will suffer adverse morale effects to the climate. When the Heat Index is Hazardous or higher apply the following modifers:

Rain-Prolonged periods of rain can have an adverse affect on a man's physical and mental well-being. Some of the detremental effects of persistant precipitation can be averted by having some sort of shelter. However, no amount of protection can prevent the morale loss associated with continual rainfall.

Effects OF Rain

Combat- The following rules are applied to combat that occur in the rain.

Work-

Mission / Exploration Parties

Rain And Sickness
Any time that men are required to perform duties outside during the rain there is a chance that they will become sick. The chance of illness depends on the availability of dry shelter after the work is completed. Roll 1D20 for each man that has worked in the rain. The chance of becoming sick are as follows:

For each man that becomes sick, roll 1D10 and compare the result to the table below:(subtract 1 if 1 unit of medicine is given to the man. Add 1 if only temperory shelter is available.)
Severity Of Sickness From Rain
Die Roll Result
1-3 May continue to work, but will only perform 1/2 man/day of work for 1D3 days.
4-6 May continue to work, but will only perform 1/2 man/day of work for 1D6 days.
7 Bed ridden for 1D3 days, then may work, but will only perform 1/2 man/day of work for 1D3 days.
8 Bedridden for 1D3 days, then may work, but will only perform 1/2 man/day of work for 1D6 days.
9 Bedridden for 1D6 days, then may work, but will only perform 1/2 man/day of work for 1D6 days.
0 The man dies.

Parties in the bush that end their move in a square with a friendly native village will have permenent shelter for that day.

The Officer in charge may cancel work details or travel for mission parties at his descression.

Members of mission / exploration parties that are bedridden will have to be carried if the party wishes to move.

Food Shortages- One of the quickest ways to destroy morale and solidarity is to run out of food. As the food supply becomes more precarious, men's minds will stray more often from the work at hand to the procurement of victules.

Fortunately, for the defenders of Ubonga,their military disipline and the unfamiliar surroundings will retard some of the ill-effects of hunger.

Effects of Food Shortages

Any porter that is not given a full ration of food will abandon his load and leave the party.

Soldiers that are on short or no rations will subtract "1" from their Morale Point for each day they are short ( up to 1/2 of their normal morale point).

Map Movement Penalties- The following movement penalties are added to a party that is on short or no rations:

Men will reduce the effects of hunger by 1 week (2 weeks if on short rations) for each day that they recieve a full ration.

Effects Of Hunger On Combat- The following penalties are applied for each 3 days with no food or each week on short rations.