Isandlwana: Walking the Battlefield
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- The 22nd January 2020 marks the 141st anniversary of the Battle of Isandlwana. I decided to mark the occasion by revisiting the battlefield and exploring some of its lesser-known corners. In this film I visit the Ngwebeni valley (where the Zulu army bivouacked), the Talehane spur, The "notch" where the British rocket battery was wiped out and also the location of the last stand by a handful of survivors down by the Manzinyama river.
If you want a full chronology and analysis of the battle then please do check out my good friend over at Britishmuzzleloaders / britishmuzzleloaders - he is working on a two-part series about Isandlwana.
The principal books I used for my research here were:
Mike Snook's "How can man die better" - amzn.to/3ah0wCY
and Ian Knight's "Zulu Rising" - amzn.to/38bwHSu
Any mistakes are purely down to me and not them.
If you are on Instagram and like looking at photos of the world's battlefields then check me out
- / redcoathistory
I am also on Twitter - / redcoathistory
And I have a website - redcoathistory.com/
As a former Royal Regiment of Wales (24th ft) Soldier, I must say that these videos of the history of my Regiment are excellent. Thank you so much.
That's brilliant, thanks so much for letting me know.
Mind you, at the time of the battle, the 24th was the Warwickshire Regiment - brave men and a noble regiment who fought an epic engagement against an equally brave enemy.
Dont lie kiddo
@@sniperniko What am I lying about?
Seeing the Isandlwana mountain is like seeing the Alamo chapel. Amazing and silent witness to history! Great job and thanks for your efforts!
Thanks Steve!
No. This is more like The Battle of the Little Bighorn River or, as the Lakota say, the Battle at the Greasy Grass.
General Custer's last stand.
"They fought to the last and died like men..."
Well put.
Thank you for the excellent commentary. Reminds me of The Little Big Horn. Never underestimate your foe.
ed johnson thanks a lot, Ed.
“They fought to the last man and died like men”
Well put, indeed. May a merciful God bless their souls. Indeed, may he bless the souls of those brave Zulu warriors who fought that day as well.
I have been reading and writing about the Battle of Isandlwana all my life, and it is amazing to see it.
Thanks David!
It's an extremely interesting part of British military history history. Have you watched the film 'Zulu Dawn '
@@chrisholland7367 Zulu Dawn is inaccurate in many respects dont rely on it.
@@timmo491 I try not rely on film dramatising historical events the film 'Zulu' although extremely good doesn't portray accurately the events which unfolded at Rorkes Drift.
@@chrisholland7367 quite, and does significant disservice to some of those who fought.
~1:24: Where were the pickets? Where were the skirmishers? Did the British have no one at all on duty overnight and on into the dawn, when common sense alone would tell anyone with half a brain that the Zulus would attack?
There are *still* many, many "uncomfortable" questions about this battle as a whole, and almost 150 years later, no one seems to be interested in asking them. Let alone giving honest answers. You can indeed blame Chelmsford who was a fancy dress boob, and able to get off so lightly because he was a favorite of Queen Victoria. But the ordinary soldier had no friends that morning in Royal Circles. I'd enjoy hearing a discussion of who really was responsible for one of the worst defeats in Military history. Isandlwana needs people who work on site to interpret this battle and the one that followed. Not many people got VC's at Isandlwana, and it's not at all difficult to imply that many people got them at Rorke's Drift because it drew a large part of the attention away from what happened at a battle that the British were anxious not to have examined any too closely.
1879 was a really bad year for the British Army..but the following year was worse with Maiwand
Hi Roci.
Being someone who has studied the zulu war in depth, can categorically say.
Chelmsfords mistake was putting a Brevet Lieutenant Colonel ( major ) who had never seen or fired a shot in anger, in charge of the camp. Pulleine was basically a storeman,
Also, Lieutenant Colonel Durnford was an experienced engineer who had been promoted to full Colonel and the senior officer, didnt know it as no one told him.
Any bloody Colour Sergeant should have known to form a square so why didn't Pulleine. It was basically common practice.
As Peter o toole who played Chelmsford said in Zulu Dawn
A British square of fire can be formed in an instant.
He was the only General out there.
As he was a Lieutenant General, he should have had 2 Major Generals under him.
A typical Military cock up that cost 1200 lives.
I cannot believe how the British were so spread out ! I mean they had 20,000 Zulus coming at them and yet they did not form a logger and concentrate when they could see what they were facing! As well as put their ammo wagons in the middle of the logger ! The Commanding Officer was to blame for this defeat pure and simple! Later have learned he never commanded troops under fire and was an administrator! The Results of his command speak for themselves !
I love this place. Visited a few times on school trips with my history class. It was always fascinating
I love your content...i watched Zulu as a 9 year old and find the history of isandlwana and Rourke's drift fascinating
David Whitaker thanks David. I love sharing this history so it’s great to know that it’s appreciated.
Young Lt Anstey was probably one of the last regular officers alive that day. He grew up in South Australia... the fact he was at Isandlwana at all was the result of a series of strange, vague coincidences. He must have felt the perverse hand of fate heavily on his young shoulders as he fought that last stand by the river.
Was there when people getting back on tour bus and some with tears this place gave me goose bumps.
matchit100 thanks for sharing that...yeah it’s a very emotional place. Fascinating to explore all the corners solo as you almost feel you are right back there in 1879.
ukandyp. Loved the map overlays and aerial shots they made everything so much clearer and easier to start to grasp what was going on.
Another great video. You give us a good idea of how large the battlefield was. Some of the men of the 24th were killed miles away from there the mountain. Makes you wonder how tough the men of the 24th were that they made it that far and also the respect that the Zulu had for them. That terrain looks extremely hard to navigate never mind having to fight off thousands of Zulu. Once again, great job and thank you from Richmond VA
Thanks, Hayden.
Love this series on isandlwana, keep up the awesome work
Cheers, Sam!
I walked the trail from Isandlwana back to fugitives lodge, what a nightmare it must have been back on the day!
Yes, horrific.
Great to see history brought to life with modern tech/camera work. Really great virtual tour.
Looking forward now to watching the full podcasts.
Literally my new favourite channel!! I’m a South African with British ancestry, so to see what my ancestors did in order to build this country is incredible. I grew
Up in these areas , so it’s great to see! Well done on the great work!!
As always, really well done. Thank you for producing these videos and taking us right to the spots!
Thanks David!
What a horrific way to die, seeing tens of thousands of enemy have them surrounded. They are faster, no possibility of running away. They know the Zulus are taking no prisoners and they will most certainly be stabbed to death. On top of that all your buddies have either already been killed or will be killed shortly. Probably out of ammo. It’s one thing to die, but to know you will die soon is even worse. Mostly young men, probably very scared.
Yes, a horrific battle. I can only imagine what it must have been like for warriors of both sides, I wonder at what point you just come to terms with the fact death is inevitable and if so does that moment bring with it a new calm and a willingness to 'go out on your shield'.
@@redcoathistory I suppose at that point I would consider taking myself out like many of Custer’s men at Little Bighorn. Seems like these men decided to take out as many as they could before going out. As some Zulu accounts talk about them fighting to the bitter end and their bravery. I would like to visit that battle field one day. I’ve been fascinated with the Zulu war since I was a kid. I would like to see the spot Melville and Coghill was found and how far he made it from the battle field. They must have felt that they just might make it. That’s the best part of touring battle fields for me is to put myself in the position of what the men must have been feeling. Again Little Bighorn, Waterloo, several Napoleonic war and Civil war battlefields. I’ve been to the Alamo but since most of it was torn down it’s difficult to get a feel. Thanks for the video.
Great stuff and your charisma really shows through. Nice👍
Another fantastic video Christian. Many thanks for your time and effort that you put into these films. You really manage to bring the battles back to life and your knowledge is second to none. Hope to meet you one day on a battlefield tour. Kindest Regards, Wilko..
Wilko Wilkinson hi Wilko thanks a lot for the message. It makes it all worth while to read messages like that. I hope we get to meet on the battlefields one day!
Excellent, Chris. I always find that I never really understand a battle until I've clambered over the ground. I've not been to Isandlwana and so thanks for this.
Thanks, Paul - glad you enjoyed it. It's a fascinating battlefield to walk.
If anything, the Brits best option woulda been to use the base of the mountain as a defensive position. Maybe even the incline of the mountain. Using the terrain there as a way to protect the rear and flanks
This was great. I’ve read lt col Mike snooks two books. How can man die better and like wolves on the fold. To actually see it and get some perspective is excellent. Gives me goosebumps all the same. Thankyou very much.
Lest we forget.
Thanks a lot - yeah Snook's books are brilliant and were certainly for the inspiration for much of this video. It is an amazing place to visit.
Wow, thrilling. You come with new impressions of the battlefiels. I like your videos very much.
Thanks Jens. It is such an amazing battlefield to visit and to explore.
Ive recently stumbled on your series of videos of the battles involving the British in South Africa.As a South African iv found them particularly interesting.
I suppose one of the factors that led to the Zulu victory was British arrogance and under estimating who they were up against.
Certainly was the case in the Boer War.
Movies also distort reality for instance the film about Rorkes Drift ie Zulu was filmed in the Royal Natal National Park at the foot of the Amphitheatre far removed from the actual location and topography.
Lastly for the Poms fighting in January in 30 celcius and higher in heavy uniforms must have been a nightmare.
I really love your Anglo-Zulu videos Chris, that campaign is my favorite amongst those you do, although I must confess you have educated me greatly regarding the Peninsular campaign, of which initially I knew nothing. No so now! Your presentation style is much appreciated in its style and detail. I wish you had a Patreon option, but I shall just make a straight up donation. Keep up the good work mate!
Thanks, Loren. Hopefully I will set up a Patreon eventually (I want to have the time to make extra content for patrons)...until then hopefully my donation page will work for you ko-fi.com/redcoathistory - thanks so much.
looking at isandlwana mountain I cant help but think i'm looking at the same thing the british soldier and Zulu warriors saw back in 1879
How dumb must you be to think that mountain was there in 1879 lol clown
I can’t help but think I just read the most stupid comment of the year
This is a brilliant film. Really brings it all to life. It's just like actually being there. I'll definitely be subscribing to Redcoat and watching some more military history videos, this is right up my street 👍🇬🇧🇿🇦
Thanks a lot, Francis. I'm really glad that you like it.
Excellent and informative video. Really do enjoy watching them and learning new stuff.
It’s still amazing to think that there were any survivors at all from the battle. The ones that got away were very very lucky.
Thanks for the comment. It's certainly a fascinating battle. I think the biggest factor for those who survived was that they were on horseback - as far as I can remember no white soldiers managed to escape on foot.
@BANASTRE TARLETON Horses was the key...without a horse you were dead
Your pronunciations of the very difficult names is excellent, zulu is not an easy language.
This is an excellent video and really puts things in perspective, eve though I lived in Natal as a school boy I never got to see the battle field.
Very interesting to watch, It is 8 years since our visit there and Rorkes Drift and it was such a humbling experience, I am always amazed how Isandlwana mountain seems to look so different from every angle.
Yes you are right - it always looks so different depending on angle and time of day.
Brilliant thanks for the video awesome viewing with seeing where the fighting,, took place and the memorials to both sides,, from Northern Ireland greatly appreciated thank you ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
Thanks, Cecil - I'm really glad you liked it...
Good job showing the actual terrain as it exists today
Thank you for this.
Bravo sir . Well told !
Thanks Peter
Thank you for that detailed account of the battle 👍💯
Cheers, Sean.
Fantastic upload thanks. As someone unlikely to ever go there, this is excellent for me.
Thanks, John. I'm glad it's able to help your understanding of the ground the battle was fought on.
@@redcoathistory Yes its a great help. Better than stills in books, especially the lay of the land up on the Spur and where you think the rocket battery came a cropper. I dont think anyone else has pinpointed its destruction location so that was most interesting. I still have no idea why Durnford ordered the rocket battery out there to follow him. Madness. Cheers again.
The problem with the British Army was they underestimated the Zulus. Bad tactics also played a part.
No shit.
I grew up within spitting distance of Rorkes Drift and got to know the Zulus well. In fact I learned the Zulu language from my black playmates. The scene is very tranquil now and except for some signage one would not expect the dramatic events took place there. That is a pretty part of South Africa. All irrelevant to your story but I couldn't resist. Nice video.
I subbed yesterday, and you really deserve more. I think your videos are fantastic and I have a few friends who will also enjoy them I believe. I'll steer them this way,
That would be great, thanks.
Excellent video.
I had the great privilege and pleasure of being guided round the battlefield many years ago by the late, great David Rattray.
The night before our group made the tour we watched a large veld fire burning in the area of the battlefield (from the safety of Fugitives' Drift Lodge). The fire cleared the area of vegetation and when we went up Isandlwana Hill to Lieutenant Younghusband's last stand we could see the progress of the battle from the positions of the white painted cairns marking the dead...
A truly awesome place!
Douglas Herron you were very lucky to meet him / sadly I never did. Tho I have stayed at the lodge and it is still great.
@@redcoathistory Yes, I was very sad to hear of his murder - such a pointless waste. His enthusiasm for the subject was infectious and he was a great orator, it made the whole experience so much more personal. I was there in August 1996 with another Brit colleague from work (in Jo'burg) and at that time the Zulu memorial did not exist.
We visited Rorke's Drift the following day but, unfortunately, David was not our group's guide on that occasion.
Very nicely done!
Well organized and narrated....
Thanks, Ken.
What a great piece of information! Thank you Mr. Parkinson!
Thanks a lot!
Great job Done mate thanks, really enjoyed this 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
From the Naval contingent a big BZ fella! Great stuff!
Much appreciated
Excellent, and Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Spent a week there in Nov 19 and will go back again. Recommend to all who are serving or ex Army to go.
Third time I watched this. Love it.
Incredible video. Well done sir.
Thanks a lot.
Great video!
Thanks
Love the vid. Thank you.
Excellent presentation.Can only imagine what it must have felt like to have actually been there when it took place. Can you imagine how hot and uncomfortable it must have been in those uniforms, tired, thirsty, and the adrenaline. what a nightmare. thank you for sharing. Subbed.
moog Dome that’s great I’m really glad you liked it
@@redcoathistory Loved it my friend. No egos just fact. thank you.
Some of my favorite paintings are of this fight.
There are certainly some powerful images.
Excellent Christian as always. I have trekked this battlefield so many times can't be counted. The sight of the hill has always sent sent shivers down my spine. As you did on one visit lost the trail with almost disastrous result came as close to death as have ever been. Thought of phoning for help but who do you phone? Through complete stupidity on my part. Anyway keep up the good work young chap have sent your redcoat info to many people. Keep up the good work.
Andy West thanks for the messsge Andy. Sounds like you had a terrifying experience. Im glad it worked out in the end 👍🏼
Lt. Anstey almost made it with the remainder of his company , he deserved a V.C. Alone amongst the 24th his remains were identified by his brother recognizing his teeth , dentures and repatriated to Woking where he was intered at St Johns Church . The plaque on his impressive gravestone gives details of his final fight .
An amazing story the 1993 book The Zulu War Then and Now
I'd love to go there...
That's a great book. I had a copy and gave it away to a Zulu family I met at Ntombe drift. I must remember to pick up a new copy. Thanks.
I wonder how the Zulus managed to move 20,000 troops so close in relatively open country without being spotted? The only thing I can think of is that the Brits were lackadaisical with their patrols and outposts because of hubris -- they didn't think the "inferior race" armed only with primitive spears and shields could muster such an organized, overpowering force. Of course I don't know this for a fact, but knowing the backwards conventional wisdom on race at the time I have to wonder...
@csmats Ikr, and surely they would have heard the marching sounds of tens of thousands of warriors
Very interesting thank you.
Cheers, Paul.
I’m afraid I’m not familiar enough with the details of the battle to follow your discourse but it certainly is very interesting. I wonder if you have seen the PBS documentary “Secrets of the Dead: Day of the Zulu” in which forensic archeologists extensively excavated the site and revealed a very different version than the British historical “Rudyard Kipling” version. It’s a fascinating revision of what was reported at the time and is still extant in British history.
At 6:43, you were correct with South East!
Hello mate, ( Don't know your name) excellent video, really interesting and informative, keep them coming, all the best, Lee.
Cheers, Lee! My name is Christian. Thanks for watching and chat soon.
RESPECT for those brave men and to be fair the Zulu's where at their height of spear technology.
Such a peaceful place today ...Hard to imagine what they all went through
im told the ghost from the battle shows themselves from time to time
Custer's Battlefield in the United States has this same feel. Nothing has changed since the battle in 1876. Someone brilliant had the foresight to bury and place markers exactly where each cavalry man fell in the battle so as you walk the ground you can see exactly how the battle was lost.
CorsetGrace I’d love to visit there one day. Thanks for your message.
I wandered around the Big Horn battlefield and it is fascinating to stand by the marker of a fallen soldier and contemplate the horrors he was witnessing moments before his end. Also to contemplate, why on earth they would fight over such a remote place in the vastness of the American prairies. Its a miracle that they even bumped into one another. It is almost 400 miles across South Dakota and after hours of driving through the grassland I wondered...had I have been there 150 years ago, would I have witnessed 50,000,000 bison on their migration.
Great video! What’s your opinion on the accuracy of the “Zulu Dawn” movie?
The close up and personal views of the actual terrain are fascinating,I can't imagine that the rock-strewn hillsides and dongas have changed a great deal other than from some natural erosion and would have been extremely difficult to traverse in leather soled boots with or without hobnails and carrying an 8 1/2 pound rifle.
I have read that burghers with the column advised Pulleine to form a laager with the wagons as a further defensive measure which had proved to be so effective at Blood River but the suggestion was dismissed on the grounds of how much time would be spent manoeuvering the wagons into position and then realigning them for trek the following day.
Panoramic views of the battlefield are fine but your series introduces a real sense of reality,thank you.
Christopher Franklin thanks a lot Christopher - yes walking the ground is priceless in trying to understand the battle. I’m glad you found the video useful.
Good, informative vid but I’d love to see the same description with a drone view of the field from the mountain looking out.
Me too. I was wary of putting it up inside the isnadlwana park as their are rangers and I’m not sure of the rules. Maybe I’ll try next time.
Great channel.
Glad you enjoy it!
The British version of Custors Last Stand!
It appears Pulliene stationed no observers, or insufficient in numbers, atop Isandlwana. They would have been able to provide advanced warning of the deployment of the Zulu formations (especially the right horn's encirclement and cut off of the retreat). Seems a major operational advantage was overlooked, literally out the back flap of their tents. With google earth, put yourself on top of the hill, perhaps some territory to the NE would be concealed behind the ridge line but you would still have advanced warning, for hours, of Zulu strength and deployment.
Hi Dean, you may have a point...I haven't climbed it myself but I'm sure I remember reading that the view from the top is actually not that great over the top of the escarpment to the north...Next time I visit I will endeavour to climb it and to see.
You should do a video of comparisons between the battle of Isandlwana and the battle of the Little Bighorn they both have a lot of comparisons
I would love to one day - thanks
Who built the kans (sp?)? When were they built?
As a Sout African now residing in UK I am embarrassed to say I travelled around that area on business and always wanted to spend time and revisit that actual site. I did the whole of Kwa Zulu Natal, Ladysmith Newcastle to Vryheid
I struggle to form a mental picture of the camp, the battleground and the zulu advance...I would love to see a map showing this detail and how the battleground moved.
Well you are in luck Alistair as I have an entire video examining the satellite images of the battlefield. Please see my channel.
Very informative although the bit about striking tents being seen as cowardly was incorrect. It was, in fact, standard practice to strike tents when under attack (it was one of the first things B Company 2/24 did at RD) as it aided field of fire. If Pulleine had done this, Milne, RN (Chelmsford’s Naval ADC) would’ve seen it when he was sent up a hill to check on the camp after the first reports reached Chelmsford at Mangeni and would’ve possibly spurred him onto return to the camp much earlier.
Hi Sean, thanks for your input. You are right I guess my point was that I think Pulleine wasn't sure if this really a serious enemy attack until it was too late. It is purely speculation but I felt he didn't want to be seen as "windy" and by the time the scale of the attack became clear it was too late.
So well explained, excellent thank you. Would love to see the spot on the Buffalo where Melvill crossed.
Hi Tee - thanks a lot. If you view my Fugitives Drift hiking video you will see it :-)
What comprised the rocket battery? Excuse my lack of knowledge.
Excellent video! Just like being there. Just an aside, I've always wondered why Chard visited Isandlwana earlier that morning. Did he have a message for Pulleine or visa versa?
Thanks. Chard Was asked to come with his men. They were needed, he wasn’t.
Those 2 movies are ready for a realistic remake.
Especially Rourkes Drift
Could be another Gladiator /300 type film.
Excellent presentation. 1 how did the Zulus handle logistics, move enough food and water for 20,000 men 2 as you move about the battlefield do you occasionally find an artifact on the surface ?
Hi John, I havn't ever come across an artefact at isandlwana though I'm told they still turn up at less well known battelfields by Farmers etc. In regards logistics - the system wasn't great - they would be accompanied by young boys who would help them carry what they could and then after that they were essentially on their own. When fighting in the territory of others then they would raid kraals to take cattle etc. This lack of a logistical chain is one reason that the Zulus couldn't maintain an army in the field for longer than a week or two and why ultimately they could never really win a long war against the British (despite their amazing successes on the battlefield).
THAT WAS EN EPIC BATTLE AD THE BRITS FOUGHT LIKE LIONS BUT, THEY WERE OVERWHELMED. I'VE READ ABOUT HISTORY OF THE ZULU WARS.
I'm amazed how accessible it all is.....and nobody in sight...you basically had the whole battlefield to yourself.
Yes, and this was filmed pre-Covid...Now it even quieter - sadly.
Moral: Keep your men well supplied with ammunition. I suspect Custer could have used this advice at the Little Big Horn. The reason Reno and Benten did not suffer the same fate is that they met up with Lt. Terry who had the supply train with lots of ammunition.
Worst reconnaissance since Jeb Stuart at Gettysburg 🤔
I'll be honest I don't know much about Gettysburg. I hoped you liked the video.
❤️ to all who died or were wounded
My chemistry master at school was named Pulleine, he was the 'well-meaning' sort & he'd spent years teaching in South Africa. I now wonder if he somehow thought to make-up for the war & do good to the Africans. I know no more - but his name was Definitely pronounced 'Pullin'. Chemistry & engineering - both Technical subjects...
Think he may have been a relative?
@@redcoathistory I've toyed with that idea for a while, I estimate he was born in the 19''teens, between the World Wars, Apartheid was established by the 1950s I think, when he would have been there & he was certainly the sort who would have ben anti-. Perhaps trying to redress things a little might have appealed to a bright, rather unworldly young man especially if an ancestor had been 'Zulu' Pulleine. At school he was so beamingly well-meaning that he was ragged unmercifully & could keep no discipline at all. Every lesson an Isandlwana.. I'm not proud of it! He had a 'country' accent but could have been anywhere from Norfolk to Devon.. The school was in Warwickshire.
Are you gonna do stuff on The Battle of Waterloo
Eventually mate
Is islawanda in britian or africa
Reminds me of the Battle of Little Bighorn where Superior numbers won the day
The similarities of both of those actions and why they failed is frightening.
1.Both Custer and Lord Chelmsford divided their forces
2.They both acted on poor intelligence.
3.They underestimated the ability and size of the opposition.
Both actions took place 3 years apart.
TY🙏🙏
Another example of complacency. Happens all the time. It a human thing.
Lt. Anstey was born in Highercombe Adelaide South Australia his family still live here.
Thanks a lot - I didn't know he still had family that side. Any sort of memorial or reference to him locally?
@@redcoathistory G'day Mate Yes there is plenty of reference to his family there is Ansty Hill, Ansty Road, Ansty walking track I do know Lt. Edgar Anstey is mention in the Mortlock Library In the City. As far as a local memorial I will get back to you on that, keep up the excellent work .
@@toothpick4649 Thanks a lot mate - that's great news
Isandlwana mountain looks like the Cap Badge of the 24 of foot or have I been drinking?
Hi Steve - yes, even at the time that was pointed out - you are not drunk :-)
Lots of cheap weapons will overcome if they’re willing to pay the price? Hubris helps !🤔
Great video. ZUUUUUUULUUU
OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY~ ALL THE HILLS AND ALL THE MATES TO FLANDERS PROTUGAL AND SPAIN KING GEORGE COMMANDS AND WE OBEY OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY:D sorry that was a song XD
A classic song!
A question, who and if so when were the dead recovered and where were they buried?
Argyle hi mate - on the battlefield - underneath the white painted cairns
PS they were buried a few months later when the British returned to the battlefield.
@@redcoathistory thanks shipmate excellent vids👍
@@redcoathistory not much left I imagine
I have always maintained that the Zulu casualties have been greatly underestimated, either that or the British marksmanship in all the companies volley fire was very poor. and i don't believe that to be the case as they were not Green troops. ....
To be frank, this dissjointed account is of very little use to anyone who has not studied the whole affair in detail. However, it gives us a good visual impression of the type of terrain.
I wonder if the Gatling gun would have maybe turned the tide?