Latest topics | » Francis Shirley Russell 14th HussarsMon Apr 29, 2024 12:20 pm by IntCorpsMedals » Looking for the medal to 1423 Pte. W. Gregg/GreigSat Apr 27, 2024 1:46 am by sam steele » 1409 Pte David Lloyd, Defender of Rorke's DriftFri Apr 26, 2024 8:48 pm by Julian Whybra » The curious tale of Cetshwayo's "gunpowder depot" and an aggressive snakeThu Apr 25, 2024 9:36 am by Hobbes » Anson A. Mayer/MaherTue Apr 23, 2024 7:10 pm by cmeghen » Late Father's Militaria CollectionSun Apr 21, 2024 2:16 pm by Julian Whybra » A Hungarian soldier in the Zulu War (?)Sun Apr 21, 2024 11:28 am by Eddie » Lieut. B. Pohl, No. 7 Coy 1/3 Natal Native ContingentSat Apr 20, 2024 9:26 am by SRB1965 » Alfred Fairlie Henderson photographs.Fri Apr 19, 2024 7:04 am by John Young » No. 985. PTE. EDWARD READ. 2-24 Regt. (South Wales Borders).Sun Apr 14, 2024 8:12 pm by Julian Whybra » Private Willis 2/24th Regiment his letter from South AfricaSat Apr 13, 2024 2:49 pm by 1879graves » Sickness among Crealock's menFri Apr 12, 2024 4:52 pm by Hobbes » Wheeler John Cantwell DCM, RD survivor of the Royal Horse ArtilleryTue Apr 09, 2024 5:20 pm by Kenny » Brevet Major W.R.B. ChamberlinSun Apr 07, 2024 5:44 pm by Jager1 » Private 1941 Samuel MacClue / McClune 1/24th RegimentSun Apr 07, 2024 3:11 pm by Dash » Sergeant W E Warren RA - VeteranSun Apr 07, 2024 10:50 am by DavidS » "With 6 good riflemen"Sat Apr 06, 2024 5:10 pm by Hobbes » Punch's view of Chelmsford's tactics!Wed Apr 03, 2024 5:17 pm by SRB1965 » Colonialism: A Moral LegacyMon Apr 01, 2024 11:16 am by Julian Whybra » John Robert DunnSat Mar 30, 2024 12:09 pm by 90th » An early memorial to the Prince Imperial?Sat Mar 30, 2024 10:35 am by John Young » The Poem "A Child Hero" referring to Rupert WeatherleyFri Mar 29, 2024 1:07 pm by Bongo » Writing adviceTue Mar 26, 2024 2:26 pm by Julian Whybra » Private John Scott 24th Regiment a fugitive at largeWed Mar 20, 2024 12:53 pm by Dash » Your favourite line from Zulu or Zulu DawnTue Mar 19, 2024 4:52 pm by Julian Whybra » 100,000 posts!Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:20 pm by Julian Whybra » Zulu Dawn/Zulu - New Immortals Film The Way Forward ?Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:34 pm by jgregory » Badge on 2/60th and 3/60th foreign service helmets Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:05 am by John Young » Corporal James Frowen Williams F Company. Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:08 am by Julian Whybra » British rations and moraleMon Mar 11, 2024 11:05 pm by Julian Whybra » Blue Plaque to James Egan, alias Private HaganMon Mar 11, 2024 9:16 pm by ADMIN» A few questions regarding Rorke's Drift and IsandlwanaWed Mar 06, 2024 9:16 pm by Julian Whybra » William J Hoare 24th Regiment??Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:08 pm by Dash » Swinburn Carbine issue in AZWThu Feb 29, 2024 12:53 pm by Rob D » Australians who went to Zululand and fought in the 1879 war.Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:39 am by John Young |
May 2024 | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | | | Calendar |
|
Top posting users this month | |
New topics | » The curious tale of Cetshwayo's "gunpowder depot" and an aggressive snakeWed Apr 24, 2024 3:26 pm by Hobbes » Lieut. B. Pohl, No. 7 Coy 1/3 Natal Native ContingentSat Apr 20, 2024 12:38 am by WeekendWarrior » Alfred Fairlie Henderson photographs.Fri Apr 19, 2024 7:04 am by John Young » Late Father's Militaria CollectionThu Apr 18, 2024 3:04 pm by A Crockart » Anson A. Mayer/MaherTue Apr 16, 2024 5:28 pm by cmeghen » A Hungarian soldier in the Zulu War (?)Sun Apr 14, 2024 8:01 pm by Hobbes » Sickness among Crealock's menThu Apr 11, 2024 8:51 pm by Hobbes » Wheeler John Cantwell DCM, RD survivor of the Royal Horse ArtillerySun Apr 07, 2024 9:36 pm by Hobbes » John Robert DunnSat Mar 30, 2024 11:47 am by SueSNB |
Zero tolerance to harassment and bullying. |
Due to recent events on this forum, we have now imposed a zero tolerance to harassment and bullying. All reports will be treated seriously, and will lead to a permanent ban of both membership and IP address.
Any member blatantly corresponding in a deliberate and provoking manner will be removed from the forum as quickly as possible after the event.
If any members are being harassed behind the scenes PM facility by any member/s here at 1879zuluwar.com please do not hesitate to forward the offending text.
We are all here to communicate and enjoy the various discussions and information on the Anglo Zulu War of 1879. Opinions will vary, you will agree and disagree with one another, we will have debates, and so it goes.
There is no excuse for harassment or bullying of anyone by another person on this site.
The above applies to the main frame areas of the forum.
The ring which is the last section on the forum, is available to those members who wish to partake in slagging matches. That section cannot be viewed by guests and only viewed by members that wish to do so. |
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. |
| | If regiments attacking Rorke's drift had been younger | |
| | Author | Message |
---|
matthew83
Posts : 65 Join date : 2011-12-15
| Subject: If regiments attacking Rorke's drift had been younger Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:18 pm | |
| Hi all,
What are your thoughts on the outcome of Rorke's drift had the regiments attacking the post been younger? The iNdlondlo, uDloko and UThulwana were in most cases I presume 20 years older than the defenders, of course the iNdluwengwe were closer in age but what do you suppose might have happened had the attackers all been younger and fresher? I would guess that unmarried regiments would have brought a greater degree of ferocity to the assault, whilst not faulting the bravery of the older regiments, I would say the younger would have been more reckless and would have pressed the initial assaults somewhat harder. I don't doubt the zulu were highly disciplined, but would the zulu commanders have been able to restrain the younger regiments indefinitely?, I think not, and that for me is the deciding factor. I bow to your higher knowledge and would love to know your views, my own thought is that the affair would have ended far sooner and the result would have upset a few more civilians at their breakfast.
Cheers
Matt |
| | | ciscokid
Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04
| Subject: Re: If regiments attacking Rorke's drift had been younger Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:22 pm | |
| Hi Matt
On the other hand they might have quit earlier?
I saw (I think on here), a study of percentage of losses that causes disciplined troops to quit for cover. If they were younger and reckless it could be argued that they were less disiplined?
cheers
|
| | | matthew83
Posts : 65 Join date : 2011-12-15
| Subject: Re: If regiments attacking Rorke's drift had been younger Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:15 pm | |
| 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 |
| | | Guest Guest
| Subject: Re: If regiments attacking Rorke's drift had been younger Fri Dec 16, 2011 8:28 pm | |
| Hi Matt
The age and number of attackers does not change ...
The Zulu are unable to take a fortified position, regardless of the number of defenders, that was the secret to defeat them and if a Rorke's Drift they took part of the hospital,it's because he was abandoned, ditto for the cattle laager at Kambula...
Cheers
Pascal
|
| | | | If regiments attacking Rorke's drift had been younger | |
|
Similar topics | |
|
| Permissions in this forum: | You cannot reply to topics in this forum
| |
| |
| |