Bayonet drill Khambula

Posts : 629 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 43

I was reading a reference book relating to the Battle of Khambula.

"Major Hackett and Lieutenant Bright were formed up outside the laager gate, ordered to fix bayonets and advance. The British soldier has always been renowned for his bayonet drills".

My question is "was there a special Bayonet drill formulated when fighting Zulu's.
Or was it the standard drill of that time...

sas1

Subject: Re: Bayonet drill Khambula Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:32 pm

Something Like This. Watch the actions.

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

Nice display of the regulation bayonet drill. (Very Clever)

There is a book that explains the points and moves of the drill.

Cheers
Old Historian 2

Posts : 629 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 43

Bayonets are more likely to figure in parades and inspections than any realistic training for combat. Realization that the awkwardness of stylized bayonet fighting movements is outdated is far from new. In the 1890s, General Evelyn Wood, VC, remarked that the bayonet training of the day was "more suitable for a Music Hall than for training men to fight."

There is no perfect close quarter weapon because attack and defence are very individualistic. The bayonet has to be one of least efficient close quarter weapon.Compare this stylized training approach to the fact that soldiers will often "club" their weapon, swinging the mass of the butt, the barrel as handle, because it was more effective.

sas1

Posts : 629 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 43

Its looks like bayonets were mainly used to remove fouled cartiridges from breeches, and open ammunition boxes.

Captain Essex's Evidence. Rorke's Drift, January 24, 1879.

With refrence to Isandlwana.

In a moment all was disorder, and few of the men of 1st Battalion 24th Regiment had time to fix bayonets before the enemy was among them using their assegais with fearful effect.

sas1

Subject: Re: Bayonet drill Khambula Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:35 pm

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