Wood's at Battle of Hlobane.

Posts : 2308 Join date : 2010-07-02 Age : 44

"When Wood’s orders arrived, Russell and his officers believed that Wood wished for them to take up positions on another Nek, 6 miles (10 km) westwards by Zunguin. Leaving a small amount of troops behind, Russell’s force departed that direction, leaving Buller alone at Hlobane."

Was it due to the miss understanding that Wood’s was force to exit to the lower plateau, down Devil’s Pass? If the order had been received correctly would there have been an alternative route down. Or would it have made know difference.

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

Hi

Russle wasn't anywhere near the Devils pass.

He was on another part of moutain.

It was Buller who went down the Devils pass, there was no other way for them.

Cheers

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

DB14. We know that "Russell’s force departed that direction, leaving Buller alone at Hlobane."

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

Hi

He was asking if it was becuase of this that the men had to go down Devils pass.

That was the second part of my answer

Cheers

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi John,
I will be sending you a pm in response to your query.

regards,

barry

Posts : 1093 Join date : 2009-01-14 Location : East London

I expect the gap left between the two forces was quickly closed by the Zulus leaving Buller No choice by to decent the pass.

Subject: Wood's battle of Hlobane Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:41 pm

Hi all .
Buller's force didnt have a choice , and Russell's departure wouldnt / didnt make a differance to the way Buller
came down the mountain . Happy to be corrected . Idea

cheers 90th. Idea

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

90th Its it know how many Soldiers took part in the flight down the pass. Just a thought!!! Would there have been enought to have made a stand halfway down the pass using the boulders as cover. (Not sure much ammunition they had) But i thinking they could have made it quite hard for the Zulu's to get at them.

Subject: Wood's Battle Of Hlobane Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:02 pm

Hi John .
I dont think there is a record of the numbers involved , and not possible to make a stand on the pass halfway down as there isnt
room to do so and once the ammo was gone they would have been surrounded and quickly overcome . Those like Springbok and
others who have been there surely will give us a better insight .
cheers 90th. Idea

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» James Dickinson Woods. Royal College of Physicians
» Sergt. Woods N.N.C.