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Zulu Sunset World Naval Ships Forums Archive

Zulu Sunset

Posts 1 to 18

The Battle of Ulundi took place onon the 4th July 1879 and marked the end of the Zulu War (1877-1879),as well as the break up of the Zulu nation.It was a war, which included the calamitous defeat of the British at Isandlwana, the previous January;and which necessitated a humiliating withdrawal from Zululand. Ulundi effectively erased that humiliation, although it should be remembered that it was a battle fought between one of the best equipped modern armies in Europe,and a Zulu army armed largely with spears and cowhide shields. Hardly a great victory. In fact one year later,during the 1st Boer War,the British were to show their inferior tactical ability against a better equipped opponent. On 1st July 1879,the British were encampedby the White Mfolozi river.On the morning of the 4th,the bulk of the column,in the shape of a fortified square crossed the river,leaving behind them 1st/24th Foot (replacements for those killed at Isandlwana) to guard the camp.Bullers Horse and the 1st Dragoon Guards acted as skirmishers,scouting the surrounding countryside. The square was made up by the following:- 13th foot 8Coys,80th Foot 5coys,90th Foot 8Coys,94th Foot 6Coys,21st Foot 2 Coys,58th Foot 4 Coys interspersed with 12-15 7 and 9pdr guns plus 2Gatling mc guns.Finally the 17th Lancers for the coup de grace.Perhaps 6200 all told. At 9am Lord Chelmsford halted the square within sight of Ulundi,chief Cetawayo's kraal.After an initial skirmish with their horsemen,it was the turn of the square to be attacked by a force of 20,000 Zulus. The British had less men, but were lethally armed. The Zulu assault fell on the north side of the square which the 90th and 94 th Foot defended and their combined firepower of Martini-Henry rifles,artillery and Gatling gun prevented the Zulus from getting within more than 30yds of the square. The zulus switched their attack to the south of the square which was defended by the 13th and 58th Foot, but this also failed.The Zulus retreated and the 17th Lancers and the Frontier Light Horse charged and put the fleeing Zulus to the sword and lance.The battle had lasted half an hour! British dead=12 Zulus=1500 Cetewayo had not stayed to watch the defeat of his army. The Royal Kraal was burnt tto the ground and by the end of August; Cetewayo was a prisoner of the British. SIC TRANSIT GLORIA PS Apologies for lack of maps -they were too large and I,unaable to reduce them. jainso31

Mention of Cetshwayo reminded me of this. [URL]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5009&highlight=natal[/URL] Post #7

Thanks Bill- for your formidable article on HMS Natal, which I read with interest-a truly magnum opus-although Zululand still exists, as an enclave of the province of Kwazulu- Natal in S Africa-it has lost a great deal of the autonomy it once had. jainso31

It is worth remembering that the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, is a Zulu and Zulus now predominate in the government establishment. The first two black Presidents, Mandela and Mbeki, are Xhosas, but it is the Zulus, which are the largest ethnic group in South Africa, that now call the shots. Needless to say, the Zulus also control the Province of KwaZulu/Natal. The Zulus may have been defeated militarily in 1879 and 1906 but, as in the days of Shaka in the early 19th Century, they now reign supreme in their part of the world. Brett

Brett- I stand corrected; and I should have known (even instinctively) that a great nation would not stay down for long. I have to admit to a failure to keep abreast of world politics-it's an age thing! Many thanks for your interest I do appreciate it. jainso31

Hi All Two great books about South Africa. "The Washing of the Spears", fairly definitive history of South Africa from the first landings by europeans, written by an American naval officer. "Riotous Assembly" by Tom Sharpe. Absolutely hilorious book about the South African police force. Taking the p... to the absolute nth degree. Mitch Hinde

I have had "The washing of the Spears" for decades and it is the best work on the Zulu nation-the other which is buried in my library, is more recent and deals with Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift only, is good for biological details-I think it is called "Nothing to do but Stand and Fight" I shall look out for your other, more satyrical book. Thank you for your interest. jainso31

jainso31 One has to be a bit weird and have plenty of time to spare to take an interest in South African politics and its ramifications. The Colonial era saw the vanquishing of the indigenous peoples of the subcontinent, which was followed by conflict between the colonisers (Boer and Brit). The British initially prevailed, but the Boers finally won the Boer War in 1948 when the Afrikaner Nationalists came to power. English-speaking South Africans were put in their place on the back burner. The Nationalists thought they had all the answers, but in 1994 the indigenous folk took charge and it was the turn of the Boers to go on the back burner. The new order introduced programmes such as the "Reconstruction and Development Programme" (RDP), which actually stands for "Revenge of the Dark People". That, more or less, is the history of South Africa. Brett

Do I detect a note of cynicism creeping in brett-one thing does seem certain,the indigenous people of South Africa are now more determined than ever to bring the country under proper self government;whether that can be achieved in 1,10,or 20 years is "a piece of string".

I agree with the "piece of string" analogy. Unfortunately for old people like me, we have only a short piece of string left, so we wont see how the present phase in SA's history will pan out. However, given Africa's track record, I am glad that I am not starting out in life because I foresee hard times ahead. Regards Brett

[QUOTE=Brett Hendey;143177]I agree with the "piece of string" analogy. Unfortunately for old people like me, we have only a short piece of string left, so we wont see how the present phase in SA's history will pan out. However, given Africa's track record, I am glad that I am not starting out in life because I foresee hard times ahead. Regards Brett[/QUOTE] Hi Brett Given the torturous history of that continent I can see SA's search for democracy being about as successful as that of Zimbabwe. Mitch Hinde

Oh Dear!mitch; what a gloomy prognosis-I do hope you are wrong-as I said it might take 20 years to get right IF all the people in S Africa can work together; but I know it can go horribly wrong, if a Robert Mugabe Type gets hold of the reins -but life is finite and no dictator can rule forever-but yes it will be hard. BRETT-WELCOME TO THE CLUB-TEMPUS FUGIT! jainso31

:( I was hoping for a happy retirement in the rainbow nation(South Africa) and went to live in KZN,Kwa Zulu Natal.It is in some ways a Beautiful country,ON THE SURFACE, but break beneath that surface and OH DEAR!they have a saying, "Whats the difference between a holiday maker and a racialist"???? answer "TWO WEEKS" i stuck it for eight years.I was brought up to respect the Zulu Nation,but now i have nothing but !!!!.It is nice now to go down the shops without my companion.40 Herr Glock.Another good film if you are up to it is "ZULU DAWN"

Hi Limpet44- seen both ZULU and ZULU DAWN. hence my title ZULU SUNSET Sorry to hear that you were a stranger in a strange(r) land-are you happy now where youv'e dropped anchor?? jainso31

:)Thankyou Jainso,i am waiting for pet passports etc before heading back to the UK, am i relishing the move ????... family yes. I miss lots about the life in Africa and i suppose to be honest, i will always have Africa in my thoughts. I take it you have experience of SA? If you havn't, well,i could go on in my as some would say bigoted fashion but not on this forum.cheers all.Joyous Noel.;)

Limpet44-a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you. Never been to SA and I'm afraid I am bit too long in the tooth now to make such a venture.Bon Voyage. jainso31

I have started a new thread "Sinking the South African Navy", which gives a clue as to why I am not optimistic about our country's future. Regards and season's greetings to all forum members. Brett

I have read your post and I am absolutely horrified to learn just how badly SA have regressed. It has taken all the wind out of my sails re.SA and full blown nationhood. As one of the Moderators remarked it is a "crying shame" jainso:(31

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