tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533651942397782565.post2765698758240016625..comments2024-03-29T05:27:59.882-07:00Comments on daily timewaster: Zuluc w swansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02735507642689652780noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533651942397782565.post-49354674693975615642016-07-24T16:44:24.109-07:002016-07-24T16:44:24.109-07:00The immediate reaction to news of the impending ba...The immediate reaction to news of the impending battle caused the chief engineer (also senior officer) to set up low makeshift walls around the mission perimeter as an encumbrance to charging Zulus. <br />One of the huge tactical disadvantages the Zulus faced against the slow firing single round Martini Henry rifles (some got off only 1 close in shot) was that while rushing men who were reloading was generally productive using the short assegai melee weapon, this time they were attacking men, behind a low wall, armed with a 50" firearm deploying a 17" bayonet with a greatly superior reach to their own short spears. The Zulus were often impaled before they could reach the Brits and Tommy stacked up dead and dying Zulus in piles before the walls which made it even more difficult to reach the Brits.Dink Newcombhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05141201981442874305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533651942397782565.post-2620411978795752452016-07-22T16:41:34.798-07:002016-07-22T16:41:34.798-07:00Excellent movie, also see Michael Cain in "Th...Excellent movie, also see Michael Cain in "The Man Who Would Be King", it's just as good.<br />We lived in South Africa for several years and visited the battlefield.<br />We also knew many Zulus and they all know of the battle and speak of it.<br />Interesting historical note, the Zulus were never conquered and Kwa-Zulu Natal is a semi-autonomous province within South Africa.splodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00584348695195616677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533651942397782565.post-21527877579550909172016-07-22T09:07:17.284-07:002016-07-22T09:07:17.284-07:00The movie based a lot of history on "Washing ...The movie based a lot of history on "Washing of the Spears" by Donald Morris (former CIA case officer who worked in S. Africa), who I know. I think that he died a couple of years back. RIP, but he was wrong on many accounts --- none of which diminish the valor of the men who held the drift. If you want a TRUE historical account read the books by Col. Mike Snook<br />http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Snook/e/B001JP21TI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1469203428&sr=1-1-spell<br /><br /><i><b>How Can Man Die Better <br />Like Wolves on the Fold: The Defense of Rorke's Drift</b></i><br /><br />Both of those books are HIGHLY recommended.LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05538854359365988863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533651942397782565.post-57875073350047454732016-07-22T08:46:48.121-07:002016-07-22T08:46:48.121-07:00Yeah, both sides. Very different cultures, but in...Yeah, both sides. Very different cultures, but in a way, very similar in the military tradition of bravery.c w swansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02735507642689652780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533651942397782565.post-90892715481915179472016-07-22T08:42:22.265-07:002016-07-22T08:42:22.265-07:00One of my favorites. An extraordinary tale of valo...One of my favorites. An extraordinary tale of valor.<br /><br />On both sides.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533651942397782565.post-71477685762303183022016-07-22T07:56:10.644-07:002016-07-22T07:56:10.644-07:00I have both of the Zulu movies. My sons and I watc...I have both of the Zulu movies. My sons and I watch them about every six months, also the Man who would be King and Gunga Din. We love the old stuff.<br /><br />BaconLoverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533651942397782565.post-37007424026428153802016-07-21T23:58:33.813-07:002016-07-21T23:58:33.813-07:00It is a great movie. There were a number of Victor...It is a great movie. There were a number of Victoria Crosses awarded as well. BWBandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15435259893321037788noreply@blogger.com