logistically speaking of course.

Posts : 2557 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 59 Location : UK

We know the Zulus had better Generals than the British, but was their organisational skills, logistically speaking of course like or better than the British. Here’s just a few questions. Any replies welcome.

What was the main staple diet of the Zulus. ?

Did they have field kitchens like the British (Trained Cooks ?

With the hot climate as it is ,did they have anyway of preserving food.?

Would they have in place organised supply lines of food being brought in by runners as the Zulu army moved to engage the enemy in various place within their territory.?

Subject: Re: logistically speaking of course. Thu May 21, 2009 2:11 pm

Hi. John would have replied sooner but could not logon

Their main diet consists of cow and agricultural products. This includes boiled and barbecued meat; amasi curdled milk, mixed with dry, ground corn or dry, cooked mealie-meal corn flour; yams) vegetables; and fruits. Their beer is a considerable source of nutrition.

Posts : 527 Join date : 2009-02-28

Hi John with reference to the Logistics
The swift moving Zulu regiments, like all military formations, needed supplies. These were supplied by young Zulu boys, who were attached to a force they carried , cooking pots, sleeping mats, extra weapons and other material. Cattle were sometimes driven on the move as a movable food source. The difference was the systems and organization, which had major benefits when the Zulu were dispatched on military missions.

Posts : 2580 Join date : 2009-04-24

The Zulu impi that attacked Rorke’s Drift, had been on the move for six days, and the warriors had not eaten that day or the previous one. So logistically speaking the Zulu Army was not as well organised as the British. Their Battle tactics may have been better than the British but only at Isandlwana.

Posts : 2557 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 59 Location : UK

Came across this while browsing the net.

Due to the Zulus' warm climate, they had no method of refrigeration. As a result, they developed several methods of food storage. They let milk go sour in gourds. They then strained the whey and used it as a refreshing cold drink. The curdled part, or amasi, when mixed with a cereal made a dish essential in every home.

When they had a good harvest, surplus food was stored in underground tanks below the cattle kraal. Grain that was stored this way could last for several years, and be used as a reserve in periods of draught. For everyday use, grain was kept above ground in woven baskets.

Posts : 2580 Join date : 2009-04-24

I think your find this applied to Zulu Homesteads. Not Regiments on the march.