Gingindhlovu - Zulu order of battle

Hello,

Just a quick question, I am sure this information is out there on the forum somewhere, but could anybody tell me which Zulu regiments faced the Naval Brigade during the Battle of Gingindhlovu please?

Many thanks

I'm not sure there a a definitive answer.

Found this from a former member. But not sure how accurate it is.

https://www.1879zuluwar.com/t6242p20-battle-order-of-the-zulu-royal-army-at-gingindlovu

Tenedos,

John Laband & Paul Thompson in their work The Illustrated Guide to the Anglo-Zulu War, state that 'Individual Zulu units' positions have not been ascertained....' They then go on the record the Zulu order of battle indicating the amabutho and the areas where the forces were drawn from.

Given that there were Royal Navy and Royal Marines -both Light Infantry & Artillery - on all sides of the laager at Gingindlovu, albeit only on the both corners of south face, then I would suggest that elements of all the Zulu force faced the Naval Landing Brigade.

Sorry rather inconclusive, I know.

John Y.

Hi Tenedos
What JY has said is basically correct , this is the breakdown of the Naval Positioning in the Laager at Gingindlovhu from ' The Destruction Of The Zulu Kingdom ; Zulu Vanquished ' by Ron Lock & Peter Quantrill ; Page 144 .
'' The Naval Brigade , with it's Artillery , formed the anchor of each corner of the square .On the north/east corner , Snr Lt ( Gunnery ) F.R.Carr , of the Boadicea positioned his two rockets from the rocket battery . The 60th & the Buffs were on either flank .On the south / east corner , Major J. Phillips of the Royal Marine Light Infantry , in command of a company of marines , carefully moved a 10 barrelled - Hand cranked Gatling into position . The second Gatling was positioned , together with Naval Headquarters , on the south / west corner . Commander J.Brackenbury was in overall command of both Gatlings . Finally , Senior Lt A.Kingscote , a gunnery officer from the Tenedos , completed the square on the north / west corner with two 9 -pounders .

The following from 145
'' companies of the Nkobamakosi ibutho under Sigewelegecwele kaMhlekehleke of the ngadi lineage who had led his regt at Isandlwana formed the '' chest '' or main strike force ''

page 146

'' elements of the uNokhenke , uMbonambi and the Hlalangwezwa regt's were all present , as was Chief Mavumengwana kaNdela Ntuli second in command at Isandlwana . The Hlalangwezwa regt was commanded by Phalane kaMdinwa who had previously been appointed to high office by King Mpande . Somopho's army was estimated to be in the region of 10-12,000 .
Sompho split his force into three elements , the first positioned behind uMisi Hill would launch it's attrack from the west , it's objective to encircle the western & northern sides , command of this force was given to Dabulamanzi . The second element under Sigewelegecwele was to move from the valley behind Wombane Spur where it had spent the night of the 1st , advance 3 miles along the far bank of the Nyezane River and then cross the river near the old mission station . It would then split into two columns and advance to encircle the east & south sides of the square . The third element was to be held in reserve on the hills to the north/east of the Nyezane .
Hope this is of some help Tenedos ?
90th

That's excellent and just what I was after.

Thanks to John, John Young & 90th

Glad to be of help .
90th