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Battle Report: 5th October 1996

Zulu ~ vs ~ Prussian

(Robert Avery ~vs~ Richard Avery) .

Zulu
Brigade

Unit

 Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points
. CinC

1

 . .. .   100
  2inC 1         50
Veteran 1 36 1x36 FanA sp, sh   225
Tribesmen 2 36 1x36 FanA sp, sh   225
  3 36 1x36 FanA sp, sh   225
  4 36 1x36 FanA sp, sh   225
  5 36 1x36 FanA sp, sh   225
  6 36 1x36 FanA sp, sh   225
Unmarried 7 36 1x36 FanB sp, sh   225
Men 8 36 1x36 FanB sp, sh   225
  9 36 1x36 FanB sp, sh   225
  10 36 1x36 FanB sp, sh   225
  11 36 1x36 FanB sp, sh   225
  12 36 1x36 FanB sp, sh   225
  13 36 1x36 FanB sp, sh   225
  14 36 1x36 FanB sp, sh   225
  15 36 1x36 FanB sp, sh   225
  16 8 1x8 FanA sp, sh, blr   119
              3644
.

Prussian

Brigade

Unit

Fig.'s

Org.

Class

Weapons

Pts/Fig

Points

  

CinC

1

 

 

 

   100
1st Guards 48 4x12 RegA blr   664
Brigade Jaegers 48 4x12 LightsB blr   664
  1st Line 24 2x12 RegC blr   260
  2nd Line 48 4x12 RegC blr   580
Cavalry Uhlans 24 4x6 RegB s, p, l   424
Brigade Dragoons 16 4x4 RegB s, blc   296
  Cuirassiers 24 4x6 RegB s, p, blc, armour   309
Artillery Battery A 3 3x1 RegB light blrb FA   309
              3783
.
. Zulu Prussian
Foot 10960 3360
Horse 0 1280
Guns 0 6

Report

In their attempts to impose German rule on a small part of the Dark Continent, the Prussians sent a strong column of troops out into Zululand.

Camped near a large farm, the Prussian cavalry scouts reported a huge force of Zulus moving in for the kill, so the column deployed for battle.

Massing his cavalry far out on the wings, the Prussian commander hoped to out-flank the Zulu “horns of the bull”:  driving the Zulus onto his strong infantry centre.  The Zulus deployed as expected : with the head and loins of the bull comprised of their unmarried warriors, with the veteran warriors forming the horns.

The Zulus had intended to pick on the weak targets (ie the Prussian line infantry) first but, as they came within charge range, saw that the Prussian Guards had not yet formed square.  Seeing an opportunity to catch the Prussians off guard, the Zulu Induna ordered the charge.

This was a mistake:  the Prussians snapped into square, their guns fired double canister, and the warriors were turned into mincemeat!  Although they forced the Prussian gunners to flee their pieces, two Zulu regiments were all but destroyed, and two more routed.

Meanwhile, on the right, the Zulus had prepared to storm the farm - invested by the Jaegers and dismounted cavalry.  Forward the warriors ran but, dismayed by the failure of the central thrust, ravaged by fire from the Prussian infantry, they failed to charge home.

At the same time, on the left, the Zulu horn had succeeded in forcing the Prussian cavalry to withdraw.  Seeking a new target, they crossed the donga and assaulted some Prussian infantry on a small hill.  By now, however, the Zulus were beginning to lose heart:  and the attack was easily beaten off.

With their regiments broken and battered, the Zulus fled the field. 

Casualties

The Prussians lost 60 Jaegers:  victims of the Zulu sharpshooters who, for a change, has a very good day! 

The Zulus lost 2380 warriors:  a spear thrust to the heart of the nation!

Results

A win for the Prussians.

Analysis

When will I learn?  Don’t charge the enemy’s strongest unit at the beginning of the battle:  pick off his weakest units and save the strongest until their morale is suffering.