The Battle of Mangeni

Back again in November? I suppose the obvious question now is: "When are you applying for permanent residence" ?
Look forward to seeing the paper IK I assume?

Cheers

Hi Frank
No , it'll be by Paul Marais , he found the location , Ian helped with reports etc that Paul didn't posses . Hhahahaha ...yes , permanent residence .... Isandlwana Lodge is seeking a replacement for Rob's Guiding position , it may be interesting to see who applies...... .
Cheers mate 90th

I have a gut feel if you apply a certain little blond lady may severely kick your butt.
Ive heard of two possibilities, both locals.

I doubt I can be a story teller , which I think , is what one needs to be , in that scenario . The Blonde may say go ahead ! hahahahahaha.
90TH

Hi Gary mate.

Back home are you? What happened oh! I know don't tell me, you got lashed over Oz losing to SA, started singing waltzing Matilda and got booted out.

Hope you are OK mate and that the trip was good.

Welcome home buddy.

Hi Martin
Yes mate I got home very early tues morning , thank God I only heard bits and pieces of the cricket , didn't see any footage until I was at Perth airport waiting for the plane to melb , the news showed a couple of wickets in our 2nd inns , I cant believe anyone can be 0/ 158 and all out for 244 as we were in the 1st inns , although , there have been several batting collapses recently by other teams . Trip I knew would be great , but it was even better , I cant recommend it highly enough .
90th

PS . Thanks for the welcome back .

Hi 90th your correct the Flying Column's action on 3rd July was just that, a reconnaissance to identify a location for Chelmsford's square. After Beresford's encounter with the Zulu their spirits were up and although they maintained formation they were moving pretty fast and it was Buller who put the breaks on when at the same time they came under a heavy but ineffective fire.

Hi Frank,
Indeed, my money too.
I don't think that it is a well know fact that when the CIC announced that  Col Russell of the Lancers was to command the colonial mounted riflemen, that they en masse ,ie NMP NC, NMR etc passed a message back that if that were to happen they would leave the theatre  and report back to their bases immediately rather than work with that "paluka".
LC quickly saw that there was a  serious mutiny on his hands, where the "rebels" were prepared to face  CM's etc , he quickly capitulated and left Maj Dartnell in situ.
It is also quite interesting to note that the colonials troop serving under their own officers had a higher percentage of survival than the imperial troops.
Post the disaster no action was taken against the men who forced LC's hand.


regards


Barry

Hi Barry
I hope you are well ? , Yes , that is 100 % correct about LC wanting Russell to be in command of the Colonial Mtd forces , after he realised that they would leave en masse , he decided against Russel and appointed Dartnell . Not sure if I remember reading they wanted someone else to be in command , but they accepted Dartnell in the end ? .
90th

Hi 90th,
All well here thanks.
The colonials had a very high regard for Maj Dartnell who had a proven military track record, in South Africa and further afield. They wanted him to be their commander. By contrast they, correctly, had no regard for Russell who they easily saw was not capable of commanding. They believed that serving under him would just result in a catastrophe.
Further to the general imperial incompetence, one of the colonial officers, Phillips, warned the night of 21/01 that the location of the Isandlwana camp was dangerous and would result in mass casualties. LC, being more knowledgeable of course, at his peril, treated this excellent advice with derision and contempt.

regards

Barry

Anyone ever sell Zulu war medals? I got 2 and want a few more

So, the battle of Mangeni has been fought. Poor Ld Chelmsford fell heroically in command of a small group of officers and colonial volunteers. They were vastly outnumbered by the foe but fought bravely till overwhelmed. The triumphant, though damaged  impi returns to Ulundi for cleansing ceremonies  leaving the columns largely intact, having repulsed the attack on Isandlwana. Would Richard Glyn step out of Chelmsford's shadow and complete the campaign? It would certainly be a once in a lifetime opportunity. His regiment is experienced and intact, he still has his artillery and most of his horsemen.
Discuss.
PS If any members are travelling with Cultural Experience and IK in March please send me a PM.

Hi 24th
I wish I was , I've done one of those Tours with IK & PM back in 2014 , since then I've done a couple of the Uncut Tours which they conduct , usually about Oct - Nov , they are to the real nitty gritty places , not just the Battlefields etc , I can tell you that you'll love it , which you probably know if you've done one previously ? . I know its fully booked , there were 2 on Stand By I heard , a total of 15 from memory . I've just got back from the latest uncut tour about 3 weeks ago .
Cheers 90th

Hi 90th

Thank you for your post. I've never been before and I'm sure it will be brilliant. Having read your words I wish I'd known about uncut before,  it sounds more concentrated . If I suggest going on another tour I'll probably loose my wife. I shall miss her. (Sorry, I know it's an old one)

Kind regards

24th foot.

Hi 24th
Yes the Uncut is far more concentrated , as I said , you go to the out of the way places , as well as the Battlefields , we did them all except Gingindlovhu this time , we didn't mind , we would rather have seen the other things and places , we'd all been there several times before . Hhahahahaha , I know what you mean ( Losing the wife ) Oh well , these things happen ! . I'm looking forward to seeing what you thought of it . Actually , I'll be at Isandlwana Lodge the same time you guys are there as well
Cheers 90th