Big B -> RE: OT: ZULU (12/10/2005 3:45:08 AM)
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ORIGINAL: Mike Solli I read that the Brits lost only about 17 or so soldiers at Rourke's Drift. On the other hand, at Isandlwana, they lost the entire regiment (- the company at Rourke's Drift), some 1700 or so. Only 2 soldiers survived. The Zulu impi at Rourke's Drift were in reserve at Isandlwana, so, after the battle, they were unable to go through the ceremony called "washing of the spears" and thus were unable to get married. They sort of went off on their own to find some Brits to kill so they could get their spears washed etc., etc., and they happened to find the guys at Rourke's Drift. Interesting fact. Every impi that fought during the Zulu War was so wasted that they never fought again in the war. Even the impi at Isandlwana were trashed in that battle. Basically, the Zulu army lost each battle it fought. They really didn't stand a chance unless they could have thrown out the British early in the war. I didn't know that fact, but I do remember reading that at Isandlwana all 20,000 Zulus were pinned to the ground about 300 to 400 yards away from the British for about 20 minutes. Then the ammunition ran out (or very low), and the British attempted a withdrawal back to the camp where the ammunition supply was (which if can recall was a few hundred yards). At that point the Zulus were able to get up and charge before the British reformed...and then in the melee between 20,000 Zulus (minus casualties of course) vs. about 1200 or so British ensued and was quickly ended in slaughter of the British. I also remember reading that in all ensuing battles of the 1879 Zulu war the British never again neglected to bring their gatling guns and place them at the corners of their formations. In all ensuing battles these weapons were used with devastating effect.
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