"Fix Bayonets and died like British Soldiers do."

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 61 Location : UK

I always thought Younghusband was credited with the famous and final command at Isandlwana.

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So did I John. There are many speculations as to what happpen on that day. But to me it will always be Younghusband that shouted."FIX BAYONETS, AND DIED LIKE BRITISH SOLDIERS DO"

Unfortunatly there was nobody there to hear the cry and so tell the tail that a) it happened or b) who said it.

Posts : 1603 Join date : 2009-09-21

In most of the book i have read, it always Younghusband that gave that last order. Its the kind of order that would have been issue before they charge down into the Zulus.

Guest

"Fix bayonets!" This order was in fact unnecessary, for each man was already busy holding his own with his bayonet; but there is certain progression in military orders, which in times of confusion tend to firm the nerves with the touch of drill and discipline.

The sequence of the order "Fix bayonets!" is "Charge!" not “died like British soldiers do”.

E.H

Posts : 627 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 45

E.H.
If there were the slightest chance a bayonet charge will help save your life, then yes “charge” would be apt. But that small band of brothers had come to terms with death, and that last order “Fix Bayonets and died like British Soldiers do” Is the cry of brave men, whose words have echoed though time. No one could make that up.

sas1

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

"Fix bayonets!"

Quote :: This order was in fact unnecessary

The whole dam zulu war was unnecessary.

Posts : 94 Join date : 2009-02-13

I don't want to upset anyone but I would tend to agree with EH.
Recently there was an email sent around about a group of soldiers getting on a plane at Heathrow.
The story was about a little girl running up to one of them and telling her to give a hug to her Dad who was currently in Afghanistan.
The e mail went on in a similar vein about the whole departure lounge standing up and cheering on the young soldiers and the young girl and her mother.
Unfortunately it appears that this is an urban myth and the same e mail had been circulated with the scene changed from Heathrow to Atlanta Airport and even Sydney Airport. The nationality and regiment of the soldiers also changed. In the American version they were marines .
So these patriotic myths take on a life of their own.
Closer to the events of Islandwana is perhaps the story of Alan Wilson and the Shangani patrol who were cut off by the rising river and wiped out by the Matabele. The legend arose that before the final charge by the Matabele the white soldiers all sang "God Save The Queen".
Obviously this story was widely reported in the press and subsequently mythologized by white Rhodesians with books like "The Whitemen Sang" etc.
So I tend to agree with EH.
It is a stiring story about Younghusband but we cannot be sure about it being factual.

Posts : 1603 Join date : 2009-09-21

Anthony Durnford’s last stand at Isandhlwana standing with the British troops including 30 men of the 24th, 26 Natal Police and 14 Natal Carabineers in a British square. He could have escaped with his Natal Native Contingent whom he ordered from the field, most survived. Instead he chose to stand and fight, reputedly calling:

It appears some words were added at point. And he did know the Zulu ways.

“Stand and fight, die like English soldiers do, you can’t outrun these people I know them”

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

Sorry to bring this old topic up, but at the talk by Rob Caskie he said that a Zulu witness heard this line "Fix Bayonets and died like British Soldiers do.", unfortunatly I didn't ask him where the evidence was for this (I felt a little out of place and wanted to make a move).

It got me thinking on my long drive home - who interviewed this Zulu? Surely there must be some evidence out there.

cheers

Posts : 420 Join date : 2011-05-14

Cisco Kid,

It is not a Zulu quote, it is a survivor's quote.

The most well known place you will see it published on pages 260-1 of 'The Graphic', underneath the engraving entitled "AT BAY" THE BATTLE OF ISANDULA, JANUARY 22, 1879 -
"The last order that we heard given was 'Fix bayonets, men, and die like English soldiers do,' and so they." - EXTRACT FROM A LETTER BY A SURVIVOR
Original spellings and grammar used, so I'm not shouting! :)

Rob Caskie, like the late David Rattray before him, does not always stick to the facts. I heard him speak myself on the current tour and a number of things were not quite true. But why spoil other peoples fun, just bite your tongue and let him weave his story!

kwaJimu1879

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

kwajimu1879 wrote:: Cisco Kid,

It is not a Zulu quote, it is a survivor's quote.

The most well known place you will see it published on pages 260-1 of 'The Graphic', underneath the engraving entitled "AT BAY" THE BATTLE OF ISANDULA, JANUARY 22, 1879 -
"The last order that we heard given was 'Fix bayonets, men, and die like English soldiers do,' and so they." - EXTRACT FROM A LETTER BY A SURVIVOR
Original spellings and grammar used, so I'm not shouting! :)

Rob Caskie, like the late David Rattray before him, does always stick to the facts. I heard him speak myself on the current tour and a number of things were not quite true. But why spoil other peoples fun, just bite your tongue and let him weave his story!

kwaJimu1879

Hi

Thanks for replying. Here's a link if anyone's interested.

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Which survivour said this then?

I didn't dare speak when he was speaking - he interacted with the crowd like a stand-up comic does. :-)

cheers

Posts : 420 Join date : 2011-05-14

Ciscokid,

Sorry I have just edited my previous post, I realised I had missed off the word 'not'.

kwaJimu1879

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