Zulu War: Isandlhwana - Page 2 - Historum

**Lawnmowerman** · February 11th, 2011, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunyip

When I was a conscripted recruit in Australian army (1968)we were shown the 1964 film ZULU as part of our training,to illustrate the importance of discipline (no,really) .

Have a family friend who is a retired US navy Admiral and he used to show it to his officers to illistrate the importance of command and keeping a cool head in difficult circumstances.

**DreamWeaver** · February 11th, 2011, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naomasa298

I believe that's true, yes.
Solar eclipse of January 22, 1879 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Man, no luck there, eclipses and everything

**Chookie** · February 11th, 2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sculptingman

The two rounds pictured would not fit into the same breech of a rifle.
The round on the left has a shoulder- the round on the right has a simple taper.
The round on the right has a higher caliber bullet than that on the left.

The photo came from the official Martini-Henry site. While I didn't check <BadMe>, I believe those rounds were picked to compare the two methods of manufacture.

ETA: Would you recommend Saul David's books? I've read "Zulu Hart" and it's a competent well-researched story set in a military situation, I recommend it, but how is he as a historian?

**Naomasa298** · February 12th, 2011, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chookie

ETA: Would you recommend Saul David's books? I've read "Zulu Hart" and it's a competent well-researched story set in a military situation, I recommend it, but how is he as a historian?

They're a good read, and I'd say he's good historian, certainly compared to other sources on the same subjects. I'm not entirely sure what his area of expertise is, but it seems to be the British Empire's military history.

I assume you've got the Zulu book I posted in my first reply though?

**Chookie** · February 12th, 2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naomasa298

I assume you've got the Zulu book I posted in my first reply though?

Nope, sorry, but I'll certainly be getting it.

**Naomasa298** · February 12th, 2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chookie

Nope, sorry, but I'll certainly be getting it.

Oh sorry, I thought you had, my mistake - the section you posted on Chelmsford in the OP is almost a word for word quotation from the book (I'm not implying anything, I just assumed that was your souce).

**Chookie** · February 12th, 2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naomasa298

Oh sorry, I thought you had, my mistake - the section you posted on Chelmsford in the OP is almost a word for word quotation from the book (I'm not implying anything, I just assumed that was your souce).

In that case, I'm getting it as soon as.....

I actually used a variety of sources:- Iandlhwana by Ian Knight, The Curling Letters (published by the Anglo-Zulu War Society), Zululand at War by Sonia Clarke and *blush* Wiki........

Wickerman · February 20th, 2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chookie

ETA: Would you recommend Saul David's books? I've read "Zulu Hart" and it's a competent well-researched story set in a military situation, I recommend it, but how is he as a historian?

I would recommend Saul David's book. I needed an update as I only had 'Washing of the Spears' which had a few inaccuracies but still a excellent book for its time.

I've lost count how many times I've watched 'Zulu', 'Zulu Dawn', and 'Chaka Zulu' a mini-series. Even though 'Zulu' was not entirely accurate it still raises the hairs on the back of your neck - damn good movie.

**Kevinmeath** · May 25th, 2011, 06:18 AM

Best book I have read is Mike Snook 'How can men die better' he has a some good ideas and address' what happened to the redcoat companies, where most accounts barely mention them and focus on the surivors escaping the battle.

**Kevinmeath** · May 25th, 2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naomasa298

I actually preferred Zulu Dawn to Zulu, although it was partly responsible for the myth about the ammunition boxes being too hard to open. Also, Burt Lancaster's "Oirish" accent is quite funny.

Liked Zulu dawn when i first saw it but as a I read more its even less accurate than Zulu.

For instance Durnfords (Lancaster) troopers were all Black Africans not as shown in the Film White Africans.

The 24th didn't break into chaos as shown in the film but died (actually i company was over run while still in line) but died in rally squares or in the case of Younghusbands bayonel charging.

I noticed you said the ammunition 'myth' quite right, the two Quatermasters issued ammunition to everyone, that they would not is usually based on a comment by Smith-Dorien who was ticked off by the 2/24th quartermaster for issuing ammunition from it. However what he actually meant was he had been ordered to have a wagon ready to go at immediate notice to support 2/24th who were with Chelmsford and they fought (mistakenly!) that it was them who were about to have a major action--- you've just loaded the wagon and some Lt comes along and starts unloading it, especially as there was plenty avaliable.

Despite what is said the boxes were easy to open with a rifle butt.
One Quatermaster was killed by rifle fire (Many of the Zulu had guns--- of very mixed quality) and the other bravely rallies the bandsman,pioneers 'odds an sods' ad tries to stop the Zulu horn.