WWW.1879ZULUWAR.COM

Film Zulu: Colour Sergeant Bourne : [Quoting Psalm 46, v10-11 just before the battle] I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of Hosts is with us. Cpl. William Allen : I hope so. As I live and die, I hope so.
 
HomeHome  GalleryGallery  Latest imagesLatest images  SearchSearch  RegisterRegister  Log inLog in  
Latest topics
» George Hocking
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyYesterday at 9:25 pm by RickB24

» Mainwaring 1879 map.
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyWed Nov 29, 2023 7:38 pm by SRB1965

» NNH losses at Isandlwana
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyWed Nov 29, 2023 12:49 pm by WeekendWarrior

» Did Grant leave another account of the RB?
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyTue Nov 28, 2023 7:35 am by SRB1965

» Who paid the ferryman or men?
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyTue Nov 28, 2023 6:45 am by Stefaan

» Private J. McCrudden 1/13 Foot
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyMon Nov 27, 2023 4:52 pm by John Young

» Marius Jespersen from Faroe Islands
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyMon Nov 27, 2023 10:08 am by Julian Whybra

» It's all Sir Garnet....except for the Doctor
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySun Nov 26, 2023 3:43 pm by Julian Whybra

» Lance Corporal William Halley, Rorke's Drift Defender
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySun Nov 26, 2023 3:40 pm by Julian Whybra

» Trooper Christian Hayhow, Natal Carbineers
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyFri Nov 24, 2023 10:48 pm by aussie inkosi

» Identification
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyFri Nov 24, 2023 2:04 pm by SRB1965

» Sporting guns
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyFri Nov 24, 2023 6:38 am by Stefaan

» Commenwealth War Graves Commission
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyThu Nov 23, 2023 9:10 am by Kenny

» Capt Francis Emberton.
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyWed Nov 22, 2023 4:08 am by Guest57

» List of Zulu War Veterans who emigrated to Australia and New Zealand
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyTue Nov 21, 2023 7:31 pm by John Young

» Spare Weapons at Rorke's Drift
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyTue Nov 21, 2023 8:29 am by John Young

» Captain The Honourable Julian Grenfell
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyMon Nov 20, 2023 7:50 pm by 1879graves

» Lieutenant Richard Hawes MacCarthy, 2nd/4th Regiment
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyMon Nov 20, 2023 6:55 am by krish

» Grave of James Ruck
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySun Nov 19, 2023 6:08 pm by Eddie

» Eye Witness RD
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySun Nov 19, 2023 5:08 pm by Eddie

» Bettingtons Horse
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySun Nov 19, 2023 2:35 pm by John Young

» Wanted - Looking For Zulu Items
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyMon Nov 13, 2023 5:48 pm by sekukuni

» A farewell message
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyMon Nov 13, 2023 10:09 am by Julian Whybra

» In deference to other online platforms discussing the history of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySun Nov 12, 2023 3:50 pm by Julian Whybra

» Drivers of the waggons?
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySat Nov 11, 2023 11:22 pm by Julian Whybra

» Old School Members Retreating.
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySat Nov 11, 2023 7:18 pm by ADMIN

» Biscuit boxes at iSandlwana
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySat Nov 11, 2023 12:53 pm by SRB1965

» Read and write?
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySat Nov 11, 2023 8:38 am by Julian Whybra

» NO TORTURE OF 'LITTLE DRUMMER BOYS' (OR ANYONE ELSE) AT ISANDLWANA
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyFri Nov 10, 2023 6:28 pm by Julian Whybra

» Zulu accounts of certain aspects of Isandlwana
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyFri Nov 10, 2023 5:52 pm by SRB1965

» Zulu Dawn/Zulu - New Immortals Film The Way Forward ?
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyFri Nov 10, 2023 9:37 am by Julian Whybra

» Naval Brigade Research Request
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyWed Nov 08, 2023 2:58 pm by Petty Officer Tom

» Rorke's Drift Hotel
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyWed Nov 08, 2023 3:47 am by 90th

» England's Sons 'type' publication for intombi?
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyTue Nov 07, 2023 12:37 pm by SRB1965

» Mens on top of Isandlwana hill
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptySat Nov 04, 2023 9:45 am by Loneguyonthestreet

Search
 
 

Display results as :
 
Rechercher Advanced Search
181x240
Top posters
90th
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
Frank Allewell
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
littlehand
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
ADMIN
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
Julian Whybra
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
gardner1879
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
1879graves
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
John Young
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
rusteze
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
Chelmsfordthescapegoat
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_leftShots fired at Rorkes Drift BarShots fired at Rorkes Drift Bar_right 
Top posting users this month
No user
Most active topics
Durnford was he capable.1
Durnford was he capable. 4
Durnford was he capable.5
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
Isandlwana, Last Stands
The ammunition question
Durnford was he capable. 3
Durnford was he capable.2
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
The missing five hours.
Most Viewed Topics
Please Do Not Post Ads on Our Forum
Google Chrome new standards imposed
Isandlwana, Last Stands
Recent Members To The ZULU WAR 1879 Discussion & Reference Forum ( A Small Victorian War in 1879)
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
The missing five hours.
ISANDLWANA SURVIVIORS
The ammunition question
Lieutenant Adendorff 1-3 N.N.C.
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
Fair Use Notice
Fair use notice. This website may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner. We are making such material and images are available in our efforts to advance the understanding of the “Anglo Zulu War of 1879. For educational & recreational purposes. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material, as provided for in UK copyright law. The information is purely for educational and research purposes only. No profit is made from any part of this website. If you hold the copyright on any material on the site, or material refers to you, and you would like it to be removed, please let us know and we will work with you to reach a resolution.
Keywords
taylor Jones Police Roll harford 2022 james George Prince 24th henry horse anstey Harry Isandlwana brown Natal smith Franklin Russell Mounted carbineers john 2023 drift martini
 

 Shots fired at Rorkes Drift

Go down 
3 posters
AuthorMessage
old historian2

old historian2


Posts : 1095
Join date : 2009-01-14
Location : East London

Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Empty
PostSubject: Shots fired at Rorkes Drift   Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyWed Sep 23, 2009 9:30 pm

I know we have covered this before, But who's says 25.000 rounds were fired at Rorkes Drift. How do we know there were 25,000 rounds there in the first place? And by what I have been reading about the Martini Henry, it didn’t seem capable of fire continually. I just find it hard to believe that many round were fired.
Back to top Go down
littlehand

littlehand


Posts : 7076
Join date : 2009-04-24
Age : 55
Location : Down South.

Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Empty
PostSubject: Re: Shots fired at Rorkes Drift   Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyWed Sep 23, 2009 9:50 pm

This old Chestnut.

Mark I and II Infantry Rifles, and Cavalry Carbine MkI's would have been the most prolific weapons on the British side during the 1879 Anglo Zulu War. The large, heavy .45 caliber bullets of the Martini-Henry inflicted horrific wounds on the attacking Zulus, and many who limped off the battlefield with bullet wounds died an agonizing, painful, slow death. At Isandlhwana and Rorke's Drift, it is presumed that volley firing commenced at a range of about 400 yards. At this range, the volley firing cut large swaths into the advancing line of Zulu warriors. Considering bullet weight and velocity, it is probable that many rounds fired from 200 yards or less went through one Zulu Warrior, and possibly onto a next, severely wounding or killing him as well. It is estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 rounds were fired during the defense of Rorke's Drift, the vast majority of the shots having missed their targets altogether. Per Lt. Chard's report, the number of Zulu dead buried by the British was 351. It is estimated that another 300 Zulus died later as a result of wounds sustained during the battle. So, conservatively speaking, every 25th shot fired by the defenders of Rorke's Drift resulted in an eventual Zulu death, and every 50th shot was an outright kill.

In general, the Martini-Henry performed well during the Zulu War. It is the contention of some that chronic jams and cartridge feeding problems with the M-H were a contributing factor to the defeat of the men at Isandlhwana. I personally feel this theory to be lacking in factual evidence. While the occasional jam was a fact of life with black powder cartridge arms (moreso if the weapon is being rapidly fired, such as at Rorke's Drift), the M-H performed extremely well if properly cared for. The men who designed the M-H were not idiots, and would not have let a design flaw such as chronic jamming go unnoticed. It was during the Boer War that it became obvious that the large caliber, black powder Martini-Henry was obsolete. Facing small caliber magazine loading weapons, the Martini was clearly outclassed.
Back to top Go down
ADMIN

ADMIN


Posts : 4337
Join date : 2008-11-01
Age : 64
Location : KENT

Shots fired at Rorkes Drift Empty
PostSubject: Re: Shots fired at Rorkes Drift   Shots fired at Rorkes Drift EmptyThu Sep 24, 2009 9:44 am

From: The victorian war Forum.


Mike Snook say's
Quote :
Its an urban myth that there were only a few hundred rounds left after the battle. The men's pouches were chock-full following a full scale replenishment.
Back to top Go down
https://www.1879zuluwar.com
 
Shots fired at Rorkes Drift
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1
 Similar topics
-
» Rorkes Drift
» Rorke's Drift-Stop Frame Animation
» rorkes drift.
» Rorkes Drift by those who were there.
» Rorke's Drift VC's

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
WWW.1879ZULUWAR.COM  :: GENERAL DISCUSSION AREA-
Jump to: