Deployment of E & F companies.

Posts : 72 Join date : 2016-01-20

I know the Tahelane Spur deployment has been discussed before, but what exactly was the purpose of deployment the companies up there and away from the camp?
I know they shot a few Zulus up of the passing right horn, but then had to retreat pretty smartish when faced with the right chest.
Would it not have been better if they had stayed in camp in the first place?

Posts : 705 Join date : 2012-05-05

Another mystery!

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

No mystery at all. Look at the official map of the battlefield in the Narrative. The line of outposts by day stretches from the Spur and goes around the front of the camp at a distance of about 3/4 of a mile. Companies had been there on piquet, turn and turn about, ever since the camp had been established. They needed a view of the plateau which was invisible from the camp.

Steve

Posts : 1261 Join date : 2010-04-12

Of courses much better view would have been visible from the top! Seems Pulleine failed completely to utilise the hill of Isandlwana.

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

I think you will find that we have discussed that at some length just a short time ago. You cannot see the plateau from the top of Isandlwana. Chelmsford was still there when the piquets were set.

Steve

Posts : 72 Join date : 2016-01-20

I can see that they would need piquets , but why put a whole company there and then a second one, only to order a retreat after a short time?

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

Which topic was that Steve? Could you post a link!

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Here's what the Field Exercise Manual 1877 says about picquets. One was added when Durnford's men were sent to clear the plateau.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Steve

Subject: Deployment of E & F Co's Sun Jan 31, 2016 8:03 am

Chard the fact that you cant see the top of the plateau from the top of Isandlwana Hill has been mentioned plenty of times over the course of previous discussions ! , you obviously have failed to see it ? .
90th

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

Seeing the plateau or not seeing it, is nither here or there, in the context of what's being discussed.

Subject: Deployment of E & F Co's Sun Jan 31, 2016 8:39 am

Obviously its in the topic of discussion as I didn't post it for no reason ! , and of coarse it's here or there , this is the thinking that lead people to not read posts before they in turn post ! . If Chard ( I'll use him as an example ! ) read all the posts that were posted on certain discussions , he would've known that on top of Isandlwana you CAN'T see the top of the Plateau . So as you cn see it is a case of here or there , you wouldn't send people up there en mass know would you ? , what would be the point ? .
90th

» Deployment...
» 2/24th Deployment January 1879
» Two companies for Ulundi...