Send me a message

On the 22nd January 1879 in South Africa, the British suffered the greatest defeat ever inflicted upon them by a native African army - when a force of 1,500 was annihilated by the Zulus during the Anglo-Zulu war.

Get in touch and get my weekly newsletter:

Click here


Chelmsford was quick to lay the blame for the defeat at Isandlwana on anyone but himself.

Equally it could not be the fault of the redecorated infantry.

So rather than Pullene being held to account for spreading his troops out too thinly 3 myths were planted as to who was to blame.

NNC collapsed at crucial moment

Durnford didn’t take command

Commisariat delayed ammo supply but quibbling and screwdrivers.

Not only do these myths obscure Chelmsford culpability in dividing his force and Pulleine’s decision to spread his line too thinly and not create any entrenched positions.

It ignores something more important.

That they British had been out manoeuvred and out fought by an enemy with spears and shields.

The Zulus had successfully fooled Chelmsford into dividing their force. They had moved 25,000 undetected to the north. They then delivered a horns of the buffalo attack over a 4 mile front and despite one of the horns going behind the mountain they had timed the devastating attack perfectly.

Finally, despite the withering fire laid down by the experienced British redcoats, the Zulu warriors had held their nerve and pressed home their attack, inspired by the Chief Biyela.

Support the show