Thanks for the reply.
I had thought about the discipline issue from both angles and I suppose we'll never really know whether it would have been of benefit or detriment to the zulu assault, as with all things past we can only imagine.
I wonder though, would the need to wash the spears and return victorious have motivated unmarried regiments to press on?,
As much as I've read on Rorke's drift, I can't help but think that had a burning desire been there, the zulus could have taken the post.
Where a higher casualty rate would eventually tell on the morale of inexperienced regiments, would that not be negated by their recklessness?, the same recklessness that would have meant an earlier end to the battle through a more ferocious and sustained assault?
All 'what if' I know, but something I've often wondered about, I find the study of individual regiments and their histories to be fascinating, the studies of others on this forum even more so.
Perhaps I should have posed the question 'which regiments would have carried the day at Rorke's drift'?
I have much to learn here, it is a joy to find so many who share my interest in the war.
Cheers
Matt