Isandlwana Battlefield Map

Posts : 8 Join date : 2014-09-15

Would anyone know if there is a detailed battlefield map of isandlwana showing all the positions of the combatans at the instant the Impi was discovered by Paw's scouts?

Subject: Re: Isandlwana Battlefield Map Sat Apr 14, 2018 6:51 am

Hi,

I do not think there is (I may or probably will be proved wrong) - simply because when Raws NNMC 'discovered' the Zulus - not much was going on.

A few mounted colonials & NNIC pickets out, Durnford & his rockets toddling across the plain, the rest of the British stood to (after an earlier alarm) and stood down having breakfast.

Difficulty is, to my mind - the whole 'discovery' thing is vague - I am more and more believing that the Zulus were already deployed for attack (unknown to the British and hence the people who drew the maps/plans), and rather than Raws scouts bouncing them, it was the Zulus who 'ran into' them.

There are maps/plans in books of the picket deployment at the time of discovery, but even the placement of those are disputed.

Cheers

Sime

ps welcome to the forum......

Posts : 2872 Join date : 2010-06-02

I think Sime is about right. The thing to remember is that no one imagined that there would be an attack on the camp, so no detailed map of the ground existed prior to events. All maps and plans are after the event and based on the memory of those that survived. I would say that the two best sources are the official "Narrative" and Jackson's "Hill of the Sphinx". There is of course much speculation in numerous publications after that about exact locations of attackers and defenders. Watch this space for more this year (come on Frank!) from esteemed members of the forum!

Steve Reinstadtler

Subject: Re: Isandlwana Battlefield Map Sat Apr 14, 2018 12:25 pm

Combine PS Thompson with David Jackson and Norris Newman and your pretty close. Just my humble opinion.
Sorry Steve got side tracked by Ron Locks new book, some strange ideas including what seems to be a repudiation of TMFHT.
Back on course soon.

Posts : 2872 Join date : 2010-06-02

Hi Frank

I thought RL invented the MFH theory - oh well nothing lasts! Is the book worth reading?

While i'm on, can I briefly return to the Rocket Battery question. The map in Mack and Shad (which does indeed show the RB proceeding west of the conical hill) got a passing mention in the thread. You said it did not influence you - but do we know its source?

Steve

Subject: Re: Isandlwana Battlefield Map Sat Apr 14, 2018 2:08 pm

Hi Steve
He did along with Peter Quantrill invent the theory but his new book seems to locate the impi a few hundred metres from the camp. Ive just skimmed it on the plane and will get down to it seriously during the week, As it stands no recommendation yet.
I don't possess Mack and Shad and have never seen the map so cant really comment on it. Its self evident that the Rocket Battery changed course, or rather were destroyed AWAY from the course they should /would have been on. The questions that Ive posed and hopefully answered is what course were they on, why did they change and what was the outcome.
I suppose the short answers will be they headed of to the plain met Barker and got killed. The long answer is so much more.
Plus its given me the opportunity to get back onto a horse, first time for a while. So no guessing on timing.

Cheers

Cheers

Posts : 2872 Join date : 2010-06-02

I will post the Mack and Shad map on the RB thread - it looks quite interesting and is, I think, too detailed to have been produced just for the book in 1882.

Steve

Subject: Re: Isandlwana Battlefield Map Sat Apr 14, 2018 2:35 pm

Steve,

The map in MacKinnon & Shadbolt first appeared in 1880 edition, the 1882 edition did not change the map at all. The only variation between the two editions is the inclusion is the photograph of Lt. Thirkill of the 88th.

JY

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