Lord Chelmsford made this a famous quote just before the invasion of Zululand.

"My only fear is that the Zulu will not fight"

Why was this, was it because all the preparations for war and been instigated, It just seems an odd statement to make before going to war.

What would the out-come if his fear had come true...

hi Chard1879.
The Good Lord's quote came from his experiances when fighting the other tribes in africa , whereas he found it difficult
to have a full on battle with them as they tended more often to use Guerilla tactics of hit and run . He wanted to confront the zulu in
a pitched battle hoping that would stop them and they would disband and leave the british in peace . His other pearler was something along the lines of ' I dont think they will be much use after they have faced the M.H in battle ' . Not sure of the exact
wording but sure someone will come across it. I will look for it if it hasnt been posted when I get home from work .
cheers 90th.

Thanks 90th. I do recall reading somewhere, that the Zulu shouted during one battle "Fight us in the open" I take they meant not behind laggers.

hi Chard1879.
Had a quick look for the wording to C' fords other quote but cant find it . The ' Fight us in the open ' meant exactly
that . Come out from behind your entrenchments and fight.
cheers 90th.

Chard1879 wrote:

Thanks 90th. I do recall reading somewhere, that the Zulu shouted during one battle "Fight us in the open" I take they meant not behind laggers.

Hi Chard

If you can remember where you saw this, I would love to know.

thank you

Cisco. Scroll to last post.

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I think the title of the book was taken from one of the Battles. Where the Zulu's were shouting "Fight us in the open" I will have a look for the battle where this took place and post. If anyone else knows, please post.

I have heard of this. "Fight us in the open"

Here's another one.

"The inGobamakhosi taunted the retreating British. 'Don't run away, Johnnie, we want to speak to you,' they jeered, boasting, 'We're the boys from Isandlwana!' The horsemen rode hell-for-leather back to the laager, except for the Natal Native Horse, which rode off to the west--perhaps the bitter lessons they had learned at Isandlwana had made them contemptuous of the British method of fighting"

Source: We're the Boys from Isandlwana!
By John Young.

Fight us in the open.
its a pamphlet written by Prof Laband, published by national monuments commision. In it he quotes Cetshwayo; " If you come near to the white man and find that he has made trenches and built forts that are full of holes, do not attack him, for it will be of no use. But if you see him out in the open you can attach him because you will be able to eat him up."
Cornelius Vijn recalls; " The general remark of the Zulus was, 'Why could not the whites fight with us in the open? But if they are too much afraid to do this, we have never fought with men who were so much afraid of death as these. They are continually making holes in the ground and mounds left open with little holes to shoot through. The English burrow in the ground like pigs. The Boers are of more worth, who dare to come at once into the open field."

I cant get to it at present but there were quotes attributed to Chelmsford saying in responce to a comment that they build a fort on the White Mfolozi and wait for the Zulu to attack that he had to beat them in the open for the Zulu to acknowledge defeat.

After lots of searching I found this.
'The only thing Im afraid of is I wont be able to get Cetswayo to fight.' That came in a conversation with John Dunn on tactics.

Regards

Quote :

They are continually making holes in the ground and mounds left open with little holes to shoot through. The English burrow in the ground like pigs.

Of course this was called fortification. (Modern tactics for modern day soldiers) Blood River was a fortified position)