Re: Miracle ship?
Posted by Bateauxdriver on 6/28/2010, 9:19 am
The British were stood to arms, arrayed in lines some distance out from the encampment, with gaps of 2-300 yards separating each company. Their perimeter was stretched perilously wide.

Durnford, out on the plain, received word of the advancing Zulus and began an orderly retreat back to camp, halting at a donga (dry riverbed) to make a stand. It was at this point that a Rocket Troop under the command of one Major Russell was overwhelmed by the left horn of the Zulu army.

Upon reaching the plain, the Zulu army, under the command of senior Indunas (regimental commanders) namely Dabulamanzi, Mavumengwana and Tshingwayo, began it's classic 'Bulls Horns' envelopment. The 'horns', composed of young Impis (regiments) would race around each flank, encircling the enemy, whilst the 'chest', comprised of older veterans, held the centre.

Disciplined volleys of Martini-Henry rifle fire hammered into the encircling Zulus, who crouched low and crept forward during the intervals, emitting a deep sonorous hum likened to the swarming of angry bees.

It was now apparent to Pulleine that he was taking on the entire Zulu army. Despite this, morale was high. However, the volleys became less effective as ammunition began to dwindle, and the rifles began to jam as the barrels heated up.

Drummer boys were dispatched to the ammunition wagons to collect fresh cartridges but dogmatic quartermasters refused to distribute ammunition to those not assigned to collect from their wagons. Legend relates a shortage of the screwdrivers required to open the heavy ammunition boxes but modern research has revealed that the boxes could be easily broken open with a rifle-butt or rock.

Noticing the slackening of fire, the Zulus sprang to their feet and charged, screaming 'Usuthu!' (the name of the Zulu Royal House).

Within twenty minutes, the entire perimeter was obliterated, the redcoats falling beneath the long-bladed iklwa (stabbing spears) of the Zulus.



Read more at Suite101: The Battle of Isandhlwana: Isandhlwana:The Opening Battle in the Anglo-Zulu War http://african-colonialism.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_battle_of_isandhlwana#ixzz0s9ZfbD2b
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Miracle ship? - Beachlover, 6/28/2010, 2:50 am
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