Using Google maps to illustrate Battles

Subject: Using Google maps to illustrate Battles Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:51 pm

I frequent another forum covering various battles that occurred during the Rhodesian War against insurgents in Rhodesia and also in surrounding countries. They are making extensive use of Google maps to show deployments and movements of forces during the battles which makes them very interesting.

I embarked on the same process to try to identify where the cairn of Fred Jackson (my gr-uncle) and Malcolm Moodie could be found. Lt Royston buried the Carbineer dead in June 1879 and noted that Jackson and Moodie were found together 400yds up from where the other Carbineers were found.

I am presuming that the Carbineers were buried at the place where the Memorial to them now stands. In his description Royston states that many of the 24th were found close by and that Lt Scots remains were found partially obscured by the shattered remains of a wagon. Using a Google maps measuring tool, 400yds stretches all the way into where the camp was which makes no sense. I am also puzzled why a wagon was down so far away from the camp or was it perhaps a mule cart being used to ferry ammunition.

Perhaps someone with a greater knowledge of the layout could enlighten me.

It would be wonderful to see a layout of dispositions and movements on a Google map as well.

Rob

Posts : 1261 Join date : 2010-04-12

Rob. Is this the kind of thing you mean.

https://www.1879zuluwar.com/t2002-google-earth

Subject: Re: Using Google maps to illustrate Battles Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:37 pm

Chard1879 wrote:: Rob. Is this the kind of thing you mean.

https://www.1879zuluwar.com/t2002-google-earth

Yes, in time sequences so that there is a clear understanding of how this unfolded. I have read a lot of accounts but without illustrations; and/or first hand knowledge of the lay of the land it is difficult to visualise what happened.

Rob

Posts : 935 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Rob,
A grand idea.
Doing this mapping may just straighten out a few kinks in the understanding of what happened there.
I am a firm believer in the use of Google Earth/maps as you may have noticed in my ealier posts and I have used it studying the AZW/ABW and other projects which I have on the burner.
Dont be too put off by the final postion of wagons, particulary if they were overturned, as the Zulu went on the rampage once behind the lines, and no doubt released the brakes and gave many a push, if parked on a slope.

regards,

barry

Posts : 1998 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 24

Hi Rob

This is from the Norris-Newman on the 21st of May 1879

Lieutenant Scott was found near Durnford hidden partially under a broken piece of wagon.

Could this have been a bit broken off in the looting??

Cheers