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.