Battle Report: 28th October 1990 Late British Indian ~vs~ 1879 Zulu (Richard Avery & Nog Norgren ~vs~ Robert Avery)

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Late British Indian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   Commander-in-Chief 1             2inC 1           1st 78th Highlanders 40 8x5 RegB blr       17th Lancers 16 4x4 RegB blc/l/s/p       Dragoon Guards 16 4x4 RegB blc/s       1st Btty Royal Artillery 2 2x1 RegB light blrb FA       Ammo Wagon 1           2nd 1st Bttn 24th Foot 40 8x5 RegB blr       Ghurka Bttn 35 7x5 RegC blr       Sikh Cavalry 8 2x4 RegC mlc       2nd Btty Royal Artillery 1 1x1 RegA hmg       3rd Btty Royal Artillery 2 2x1 RegA light blrb FA       Ammo Wagon 1

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1879 Zulu Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   Induna Enkulu 1             Induna 1             Impi 1 30 1x30 FanA sp/sh       Impi 2 30 1x30 FanA sp/sh       Impi 3 30 1x30 FanA sp/sh       Impi 4 30 1x30 FanA sp/sh       Impi 5 30 1x30 FanB sp/sh       Impi 6 30 1x30 FanB sp/sh       Impi 7 30 1x30 FanB sp/sh       Impi 8 30 1x30 FanB sp/sh       Impi 9 30 1x30 FanB sp/sh       Impi 10 30 1x30 FanC sp/sh     Impi 11 30 1x30 FanC sp/sh     Impi 12 30 1x30 FanC sp/sh

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. Late British Indian 1879 Zulu Foot 2300 7200 Horse 800 0 Guns 12 0

Report An identical scenario to the last battle, with the British splitting their forces to force the Zulus to battle. This time, however, the Zulus concentrated every regiment against the British CinC’s force, leaving only two regiments to delay the British 2inC. The British immediately formed two squares: each of four companies of infantry and one artillery battery. In came the Zulu's and, despite having three impact points with six impi's, out they went again: hurled back by the weight of British firepower. However, the Zulu Induna now brought in a tactical innovation: moving a regiment up through their repulsed comrades not to charge to contact, but to hurl their assegai's at point blank range onto the British troops who had already fired and were now frantically reloading. Most un-Zulu-like behaviour! The Zulu's hurled their spears, and masses of Highlanders fell. Five companies of Highlanders routed, and the British CinC was seriously wounded. Encouraged by this success, the Zulu commander charged with all his remaining regiments. Despite their losses, the British blew them back again, so in went the spear throwers again: this time routing all but one Highlander company. Again the Zulu's charged: but were held off by this one Highlander company with its artillery support. At this point, although there were only about 100 British troops still fighting in the British CinC's force, there was not a single Zulu impi with good morale. To make matters worse, British Lancers now appeared on the Zulu flank and threatened a charge. The Zulu Induna ordered a general retreat. Casualties The Zulus lost a total of 1500 killed or wounded, plus whatever horrific casualties the Lancers would have inflicted. The British lost seven companies of Highlanders. Results A win for the British. Analysis It now seems clear that the Zulu's cannot break British troops, supported by artillery, when they are in square, by charges alone. Six charges hit a square and failed to break its ranks. One charge hit a partially formed square and was repulsed!