Isandhlwana - what really happened?

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

In most pictures of Isandhlwana we see a mad fight with British and Zulu's all mixed together fighting. After reading that the Brits retired "in good order", it also seems that they retreated and then held a position until their ammo ran out - we know this from the groups of bodies found together with dead Zulu's surrounding them.

This leads me to believe that maybe the Brits held out for longer than the initial charge of Zulu's? At Isandhlwana, like Rorkes Drift, Zulu's aren't stupid - they would have seen their buddies being shot and have taken cover whilst moving into position to attack the enemy, maybe at this time the Brits were in their retreated position and taking shots at the Zulu's in target, until their ammon ran out and the Zulu's knew it was safe to close in their attack without risk of being shot.

Comments welcome please.

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

Hi Ciso

Have you read Mike Snooks book on Isandlwana??

Cheers

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

Drummer Boy 14 wrote:: Hi Ciso

Have you read Mike Snooks book on Isandlwana??

Cheers

Hi DB

Do you mean How Can Men Die Better?

cheers

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

Yep

Cheers

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

Drummer Boy 14 wrote:: Yep

Cheers

I just bought it - put this on hold until I have read it :-)

Subject: Re: Isandhlwana - what really happened? Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:03 am

Cisco
Enjoy, its a great read but be aware that its a re constructive exersize. Mike has assumed a hell of a lot and puts his own spin on things. He was the Colonel of the regiment, so there is no way at all that he would condemn any member of the regiment. Hence Pullein etc are given clean bills of health while Durnford et al are given the BIG stick.
The last section of the battle is however a brilliant reconstruction.

Enjoy

Subject: Isandlwana - What Really Happened ? Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:13 am

Hi Ciscokid.
I agree with Springbok in the fact that he , Snook , has done a wonderful job describing the battle , but beware, it's as he see's it .
Exciting reading nevertheless .
cheers 90th. Idea

Guest

Hi Ciscokid

Ciscokid wrote:

"a mad fight with British and Zulu's all mixed together fighting. After reading That the retired Brits" In Good order ""

Be logical if the British and Zulu's are mixed together, the British could not have been back ... As long as they had ammunition they could contain the Zulu and even folding ... As long as only the right horn not stop them ...

Made of wargame and you will see, it happens the same thing ...

In any case, even when the British were not surrounded , but only followed by the right horn ,when they have no ammunition it's the final blow, as the Zulu are more mobiles.Le 24 th died in detail ...

Cheers

Pascal

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

I just read the final parts of the battle - amazing, really good book - thanks for the heads up.

cheers

Subject: Isandlwana - What Really Happened ? Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:16 am

Hi Ciscokid .
Are you referring to ' How Can Men Die Better ? . There is no doubt he told the story very well , but as we know through the eyes
of an officer of the ' old 24th ' which as we know was Himself . Excellently written all the same , no -one can deny Mike that fact .
cheers 90th. :study:

Guest

:study: the book of Paton for Isandhlwana...

Guest

:study: the book of Thompson for Durnford at Isandhlwana,

Durnford is "un soldat magnifique ";but a bad stratege...

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