Can anyone tell me anything about this photo from Taff Price

From Taff price
Can anyone tell me anything about this photo.
I'm not sure if this was taken before or after the battle or even if it's a fake.

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Posts : 1183 Join date : 2015-11-24

I have seen this image many times... they certainly look like bell tents, but
the layout is wrong, with so many on the wagon park.maybe from the early
twentieth century at the mem dedications.. or the tents were transposed on
to the image.

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

This excellent action photo, taken from Lord Chelmsford's position, of the attack on Isandhlwana camp was first posted on this site on 1 April 2010. Says it all I think!

PS Verified by S African photo history expert Olaf Priol.
Steve

Oh dear!!!

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Admin.
Quite interesting as it is certainly not portraying the compact camp layout, orientated more easterly around the mountain, used in many reports on the battle.
Further, at 10 men to a tent, there would only be enough bell tents for about 800 men shown in the picture. Remembering of course that all tents were erected on 21/01, before the 2000 man Dartnell patrol left.
Assuming the mounted men were camped on the left of the camp, they would have been located in their section of the camp, well into and past the neck of the mountain.
Maybe the explanation is that this was the scene whilst the camp was still forming quite early am 21/01. This is not substantiated by the smoke direction and volume from the fire in the left foreground, neither the shadow cast ,which rather points to a mid day shot.
No wagons can be seen.
If this is the real scenario portrayed, there is very small wonder that the defence of the camp was not possible.

regards

Barry

Actually if you put a magnification on the tents it says "Property of the SWB, RSA trip 1879"

Posts : 615 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

SWB after July 1881
RSA after 31 May 1961?

Possibly it was the Really Stuff Africa tour? It certainly worked.

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Another truly astounding shot from the same collection, taken this time from just outside Pulleine's tent, just as the waves of the Zulu chest rolled over the defenders. It first appeared on the forum on the same date in 2010 and we must be grateful to that wily old historian Olaf Priol (somethings nagging me about that name) for his ringing endorsement of its authenticity. The brave photographer unfortunately did not survive, but the precious plate was later discovered tucked into a mouldering box of biltong which, as is so often the case in the colonies, was instantly consumed by the inhabitants even though it was then some 50 years old.

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Steve

Its never old, just matured.

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Steve,
Thanks for posting the picture.
What worries me about the picture is the depicting of a tall leafy background of even height . I would judge the growth pictured to be found in the coastal strip of Natal and not in the higher elevations around Isandlwana.

regards

barry

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Barry

I think the "leafy background" is meant to be the serried ranks of Zulus attacking the camp. Olaf Priol has a lot to answer for - try re-arranging the letters.

Steve

I've attached a few pictures of Isadlwana all taken around about the same angle but, I'm not sure how to put them side by side.
Now is Isandlwana getting smaller or is Ian Knight getting taller?

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Geraint

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

The work of SirDCC

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

Taff if you come across this photo, it's also part of SirDcc's excellent work. He hadn't been on for a while but he was very good at manipulating photos.

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Thanks John
Enough said.
I did like The1stLt's post though. that tickled me. lol

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