Facing a mass of Zulus

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

What was it like to face a mass of Zulus? This is a big blow-up of a section of an original 1879 photograph (which is why the definition is woolly) but I think it gives a pretty good impression. In reality, they are friendly forces - an NNC battalion. But you would be hard placed to know!

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Steve

Posts : 110 Join date : 2013-09-07

I reckon it's no different to facing a mass of anyone else - we had around 1500 Zulus facing us in 1999 at Isandlwana with another 15 - 20,000 in the crowd - as an infantryman you focussed on your immediate targets / threats but I am sure for those in command then the numbers would have been quite impressive - the whole of the frontage of our eyeline was literally a mass of people - atb Tim

Subject: Re: Facing a mass of Zulus Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:38 am

I'm sure it would be an awesome sight, the skyline filled with well-disciplined ranks & the air filled with the cadence of war songs & their chants of, "Usuthu." Enough to chill the marrow in your bones.

Subject: Re: Facing a mass of Zulus Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:54 am

What would it be like to face them? Haven't a clue!

I'd run.

Neil

Subject: Re: Facing a mass of Zulus Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:23 am

Sounds just like the English Cricket team facing up to the Aussies?
Shocked

Subject: Re: Facing a mass of Zulus Thu Jul 23, 2015 11:02 am

Being a Scot can you explain - cricket is that the game England invented, gave to the world, & everyone beats them?

Just Joking!

Very Happy

Posts : 600 Join date : 2013-09-18 Location : West Country

Martini Henry,

A picture of a pub at kicking out time in Glasgow would be just as scary.

Waterloo

Subject: Re: Facing a mass of Zulus Thu Jul 23, 2015 12:12 pm

You are so right! Especially after a Celtic & Rangers game Very Happy

Ps I'm not orginally from Glasgow...I'm from a wee village in Ayrshire. Very Happy

Posts : 600 Join date : 2013-09-18 Location : West Country

Martini,

Have you ever seen the sun? I hear its a bit grey, wet, windy, snowy and cold up there.

Waterloo

Subject: Re: Facing a mass of Zulus Thu Jul 23, 2015 12:28 pm

The Sun? Pale Yellow thing that pokes through clouds twice a year...is it that thing?

scratch

Subject: Facing a mass of zulus Thu Jul 23, 2015 2:22 pm

For those who are interested I've taken a couple of pics of massed zulu's from my collection , when I get someone to upload them from my phone to the laptop I'll send them to Graves1879 to post ! , Hopefully he won't mind ? scratch

90th

Posts : 3385 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Subject: Facing a mass of zulu's Thu Jul 23, 2015 3:12 pm

Thanks Mate Salute

90th

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

They didn't bother the good old Welsh at during their gallant defence of the mission station Rorkes Drift.

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

timothylrose wrote:: I reckon it's no different to facing a mass of anyone else - we had around 1500 Zulus facing us in 1999 at Isandlwana with another 15 - 20,000 in the crowd - as an infantryman you focussed on your immediate targets / threats but I am sure for those in command then the numbers would have been quite impressive - the whole of the frontage of our eyeline was literally a mass of people - atb Tim

Is it not true you fire blanks.

Posts : 600 Join date : 2013-09-18 Location : West Country

Chelmsfordthescapegoat wrote:: They didn't bother the good old Welsh at during their gallant defence of the mission station Rorkes Drift.

I just know that your adding coal to the fire with a comment like that.

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

Posts : 600 Join date : 2013-09-18 Location : West Country

timothylrose wrote:: I reckon it's no different to facing a mass of anyone else - we had around 1500 Zulus facing us in 1999 at Isandlwana with another 15 - 20,000 in the crowd - as an infantryman you focussed on your immediate targets / threats but I am sure for those in command then the numbers would have been quite impressive - the whole of the frontage of our eyeline was literally a mass of people - atb Tim

Were you with the DieHards Regiment?

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

Yes he was!

Posts : 600 Join date : 2013-09-18 Location : West Country

CTSG,

Cheers for that.

» Mass graves discovered at the Isandlwana Mountain, KZN
» Facing colour of the the 57 th and 88 th.
» Zulus do not want war