Number of rounds fired at Ulundi

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

I know ammunition expenditure has been done to death on the forum over the years when looking at iSandlwana but for those newer members who haven't seen the official despatch about the action at Ulundi and the effects of smoke and how few rounds were fired here it is.

The London Gazette Publication date: 21 August 1879 Issue:24754 Page:5106

"With regard to the infantry, I am able to make most satisfactory report. The fact that the average number of rounds fired by men actually in the ranks was only 6.4 rounds per man, and that,with this small number, the determined attack of the Zulu army was repulsed, speaks for itself. The men were very steady and the firing was well controlled. Volley firing by sections was generally practised, and although for a short time, this degenerated into rapid independent firing, it was soon restrained, and volleys were re-sumed, which is highly creditable both to officers and men.
The effect of the volleys was most satisfactory on the left of the 2nd Battalion 21st Royal Scots Fusiliers. The enemy were coming up in great numbers. The ground enabled them to creep up to within about 80 yards without being under fire.
The long grass there nearly concealed them, a steady volley from the left of the 2nd Battalion 21st at a critical moment (for it was necessary to wait until the smoke had sufficiently cleared away) completely repulsed the attack. At this point Major Hazlerigg, who was in command of the 2nd Battalion 21st, was most active and zealous in attending to the steadiness of his men during the action."
EDWARD NEWDIGATE, Major-General,.
Commanding 2nd Division, South African
Army.

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