The Anglo-Zulu War: An Interactive History

[Rex_Pelasgorum]

Is there a reason why you wouldn't send in the reinforcements just yet?

Saving reinforcements is one good reason second is:

Because if the reinforcements will arrive, the Zulu will probably whithdraw from the field at theyr sight , regroup somewhere else and figth another day , maybe employing better tactics against the us. It would be the most foolish thing to launch an attack against a strong british line.Also, it is unlikely that they will throw all theyr effectives into such an attack.

So, the Zulu must be lured into an attack and defeatead now. They have around 2000 or more, we have 700... consider the british rifles, the guns, the bayonetes, and see who is more advantaged

Even versus 5000 Zulus the british could won the day....

[Kraxis]

It is our own little reinforcement corps. The troops on the inside of the laager, but as of yet not comitted.

The critical phase of the battle has been reached. The Zulu losses has been heavy. They need to win now, or pull back to save the army for a better situation (catching the British without fortifications or artillery for instance).
And while thinking of the future is good, we need to think of the present even more. Our survival is at stake.

Our troops have fought, their guns might begin to fail now, meaning less shots fired. The NNC is bloodied and shaken, they can't tak antoher charge as well, and our troops are hardly very good in melee compared to the Zulu with their shields.

[mercian billman]

4 While sending reinforcements could cause the Zulu forces to withdraw in order to fight another day, we also can't predict whether or not the Zulu forces will withdraw or continue their assault. The consequences of not sending/delaying reinforcements may give the Zulu the opportunity to break through the lines and win the battle. Or our lines may hold, I have no doubt that the British line will hold, but I believe there's a 50% chance the Zulu could break through the NNC line and would send the 50% of the reinforcements to back up the NNC line, 25% to back up the British line and keep the rest in reserve.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

Sorry this took such a long time. It seemed that each time that I wrote a version of how it could turn out, I noticed flaws and scrapped it to rewrite it. In the end, I settled for this because I just couldn't find a way to write what I really wanted to put so I just comprimised to get it over and done with.

23rd January, 1879
The whole of the british line thundered with volleys directed at the mass of zulu. Most of them, fired by hastily armed NNC, killed little to none of the enemy while whole masses of the zulu were torn apart by volleys from the 24th and fire from the artillary. Chelmsford patrolled the east line with two british privates and Mothusi shouting encouragement to the frightened auxillary troops. Coghill had been sent off to the wagons to gather the reinforcements.
The cries of the zulu drowned out the british shots as they came in to charge again. Chelmsford knew that the line wouldn't hold. He could tell by the shifting glint in the eyes of the NNC and the utter exhaustion of the british that as soon as the horde struck, the majority of his own men would recoil and then eventually flee. They were close.

Coghill had informed the Major in charge of the mounted auxillaries his orders; to reinforce the british line to the east but keeping some of the troops still in reserve. They had mounted swiftly and all were already armed and prepared. He rode along side them until they out galloped him because of his horse's drained energy. They pulled ahead easily, the Newcastle Mounted Rifles taking rash shots over the heads of their own side. It was enough, however, to stop the zulu in their tracks and make them glance at this new stampeding force.
Coghill laughed in glee and whipped his horse into a speedier run. The auxillary weren't stopping and joining the line like they had been told; they were charging like the cavalry of age! The thundering horses, numbering about 150 in all, burst past their own lines and towards the enemy. Coghill screamed at the men in the trenches to charge, take the fight to them and end this battle once and for all.
The Mounted Rifles holstered their guns and drew their short blades. The Mounted Natal Police pointed their sabres at the zulu. Coghill himself had his infantry sword drawn and was twirling it round his head in ecstasy. The climax of battle was here.

Chelmsford shook his head is resentment and a craving. "That should be me at the head of the charge! Not some bloody infantry Lieutenant!" he laughed, the two privates looked eagerly at Chelmsford until he fell to their wishes, "Fine. Charge. Cut the enemy until their blood fills these trenches that we so rashly made."
The privates roared with happiness and the NNC and the british company erupted from their trenches with cries of anger to charge at the enemy. The cavalry had struck in the distance, bundling and stabbing at their foes. The zulu, unprepared for the surprising attack, stood helpless and confused as their army was reduced swiftly to even numbers to the east line. Chelmsford followed the charging soldiers at a slow walk to guide the violence from behind.
Viscious though the zulu were, they were not prepared for this second round of fighting and soon the began to flee. "Halt!" cried Chelmsford to his men:

1.
a. Have the cavalry pursue the zulu but not engage in full; instead have them kill separated groups and shoot into the crowded horde.
b. Have the NNC pursue and kill every zulu they can catch. The NNC are experienced like the zulu in the ways of the african veldt and so can track them well.
c. Send half the NNC and half the cavalry. Have them do a combination of the above.
d. Send none; you'll need all of your troops to make sure the north is secure and besides, your NNC need rest.

2.
a. Advance stright away to the north. Who knows what is happening there and your northern line needs help.
b. Advance back to camp, replenise ammo and then advance north. This could mean wasting precious time in helping the north with whatever they face.
c. Stay to the east. There could be another zulu force coming your way.

[mercian billman]

1a Have your cavalry pursue the fleeing Zulu forces and give your NNC a chance to rest, your cavalry has not been engaged as long and thus should not be as tired, in addition they do have better mobility. While this will allow alot of Zulu warriors to escape, British forces are prepared for a long struggle and have definately put a dent into the manpower of the Zulu forces.

2a Advance to the north to reinforce your men in the area, Personally I wouldn't use all my forces, since theres still the possibility that another Zulu force is coming, but it seems this would be the time use all remaining reserves.

[King Kurt]

I think Mercian Billman has it right - just enough forces to keep the Zulus running - and the cav can disengage if new threats occur - and let us help the forces to the north as soon as possible.
The intervention of the cavalry was an interesting one - Zulus were particuarly unsuited to facing them - no missle weapons to talk of and no long spears. It is, of course, no surprise that they weren't prepared as none of their foes, until the British army, rode horses to war. The Boers used horses, but just as a method of getting to battle, not fighting in it. In subsequent battles in the Zulu war the charge of the cavalry was the climax of the battle and the straw that broke the Zulu's back.
I feel we are doing better than real life, but it could still turn again.

[Kraxis]

I can only agree with you guys.

The NNC would likely get seperated and eventually amount to nothing as they chase down individuals. Currently we need their numbers for a battle that has yet to be won. Meanwhile the cavalry can act the cavalry in TW, chasing down routers and keep them routed. Meanwhile we deal with what is left. That means we have to advance swiftly to the north.

I don't like leaving the east alone, so I say we let the tired British regulars hold that position, while NNC all march north. Their victory here should have stiffened them and made them more confident in their own abilities. They should by now be much better troops.