Crusader1307

Simply put, to answer your query....Terrain. The Drift – a Missionary Post as you recall, was constructed on an open plain (more or less), but was bracketed by foothills and several mid-sized Plateaus. The application of The Horns of The Bull Formation (encirclement by extended flanks), simply would not have worked. The Frontal wave assault was actually how The Zulu originally fought (as did many other Tribes). It was King Shaka in the early 19th Century, that incorporated The Fighting Bull Formation. As for The Films, as you know – there are (sadly) just 3 since 1964. The Classic ''Zulu'' (which is your fav about The Battle of Rourke's Drift), the later prequel 1979s ''Zulu Dawn'' and 1986s ''Shaka Zulu''. I've given you a break down on accuracy. ''Zulu'' While several points are correct, ''Zulu'' is very much NOT how The Battle happened – but was as close as one could achieve then. Filmed actually in Natal, South Africa – ''real'' Zulu where recruited to play Cetswayo's Impis. The Costumer did an excellent job on The 24ths Uniforms, as well as the weapons, hair styles, etc. But.......the perceived leadership friction between Chard and Bromhead did not exist (at least not as palpable as in The Film). Many of the principle characters were actually composites of several actual men. That being said, the Battle and overall feel were very good. It wasn't bad for what it was, and I often recommend the film to watch (if nothing but for the battle). The final ''pop your bubble'' is that The Zulu did not salute their brave Enemy at the end of The Film. They simply retired from the Field without fanfare. ''Zulu Dawn'' By far, a much more accurate portrayal of The Battle of Isandlhwana – How it began, the failure of several key and critical deployments, etc. The Uniforms are very good as well. Although ''Zulu'' was made in 1964, one can watch ''Zulu Dawn'' first and then watch ''Zulu'' quite seamlessly. The staging of the actual Battle was fairly spot on. Highly recommend this one. Good cast with Peter O'Toole, Burt Lancaster and a LOT of other well known British Actors of the time. Obviously the personal relationships of some of the characters are ''pressed'' but once you get into The Battle, it is worth it. ''Shaka Zulu'' While not about The Zulu War, Henry Cele as ''Shaka'' is perhaps the best version of just How The Zulus came into being and rose to be a Force. This is based on several actual early 19th Century Expeditions to South Africa by British Military and Civilian Explorers. I would recommend this as well.

Well, without too much fanfare, it was Luck and The Lord (to paraphrase). The Zulu (after Isandlhwana), split their Force into three sections (each being massive in their own right). Their Mission was to seek out and kill any British Soldiers. The Force which was detached to fight at The Drift were actually Reserves (including their Leaders). Half had actually fought at Isandlhwana the previous day, the other were held back as ''The Loins'' – in Zulu parlance). The 24ths Detachment at The Drift, were in a somewhat unusual position of not being in the open as the Main Column was at Isandlhwana. This meant that The Zulu couldn't really deploy their trademark ''Bull Buffalo'' Formation, but had to rely on Frontal assaults only (in waves no less). This in it's own right was daunting, nonetheless. The Brits had but two ''saviors'' as it were. A ''visiting'' Royal Engineering Officer – Lt. John Royce Marion Chard and a capable Infantry Officer in command of The Detachment, Lt. Gronvile Bromhead. And while Bormhead may have commanded The Infantry, it was the engineering feats of reinforcing The Drift and developing the tried and true Infantry Tactic of The Volley Fire. And while by sheer numbers The Zulu still should of overwhelmed them, they stalled (although at least three breakthroughs did happen – with hand to hand combat the order of the day. The final master stroke, was Chard's creation of a Redoubt made from sandbags (called Mealies), and rising to a incredible 12-feet (in three levels). A fallback, the remaining Brits were able to create a three level Volley Fire Platform. This allowed the otherwise unreliable Henry-Martini .303 Rifle to be maximized for fire. In other words, 150 round every 10 seconds were poured into the advancing Zulu's that had broken through during the final assault of The Drift. This caused The Zulu's to simply leave The Drift as a mere annoyance by this time. Perhaps no one War Chief wanted to tell King Cetswayo that ''they'' could not reduce The Drift. It short it was one of those few rare happenings in Military History which showed that sometimes courage and determination can far outweigh numbers and Technology.

To a point, Prince....by the time after Rourke's Drift, thousands of Troops were poured into South Africa as well as the conscription of Colonial Forces (even The Boers). Sheer numbers would eventually erode The Zulu. This plus the fact that The Zulu never embraced firearms or Cavalry (firearms being seen more un-Warrior-like to the more ''manly'' Zulu and having a superstition against The Horse in general) - would find them surrendering at Ulundi scarcely a year after The War began.

Exactly. The British High Command (Chelmsford) saw The Zulu as quite inferior to British Tactics and Military Technology. Despite the fact that many of His Volunteer Command (Men who had lived in Colonial Africa for many years), had warned Him of The Zulu's overwhelming and effective battle tactics. By splitting his Force and establishing arrogance rather than prudence, the entirety of The 24th Regiment and it's supporting Units were decimated. I often compare Isandlhwana to The Little Big Horn and Custer. There too is another classical example of arrogance and over confidence in Military Technology. Unfortunately, the large cost of British Soldiers in 1879 would forever place The Battle as the worst defeat of a Modern Army at the hands of a Native Force. But now we move To Roarke's Drift and the following question........ How could so few a British Force using limited emplacements and defensive cover, hold off roughly 3,000 Zulu Warriors?

Switching ''Time'' now....Tell me why you think The Zulu Empire of South Africa was so successful in their complete destruction of The British Expeditionary Force at The Battle of Isandlhwana in 1879?

Okay Gang....switching ''Time and Era''.. Tell me your thoughts as just why The Zulu Empire (South Africa), were so successful in their total destruction of The British Expeditionary Force at The Battle of Isandhlwana in 1879?

Well put. The ''Atlantic Wall'' (both constructed and assumed), was a direct descendant of The Sigfried Line of WWI. Germany though that such a massively fortified position would serve to stop invasion plans. It did - while The Allies never truly envisioned an invasion in this manner. As we know, Hitler really should have listened to His Generals. But as with most Dictators - He thought He knew best. I love to cite the massive mistake He made at Dunkirk, and had He ''destroyed'' The British army there, this would have greatly altered the course of The War. While He may not have won it, it would have caused it to go on for many more years.

A ''Little from Column A and some of Column B'' (My German and English Blood, of course, lol). While The Me (Messerschmitt Class) had a superior Engine and performance ability, the vaunted Spitfire was by far better in aerial combat (with The Battle of Britain being my example). I am by far a Stuka fan, with that Class of German Fighter unequaled. Still, your observations of Hitler is spot on. His constant interference with The High Command, as well as constantly ''gumming up'' many of Germany's future Fighter upgrades (which would have been game changers), were a primary cause of Germany's loss of The War.

Which do you think was a more effective Fighter Plane in World War II?

Well Done Prince! I assume it is in Math. Very good Job ''Doc''!

In Honor of HRM's 94th Birthday! HUZZAH!

OKAY PARTNERS, A TEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF WESTERN HISTORY....A SERIES THAT IF YOUR NOT CAREFUL MIGHT LEAVE YOU STRANDED ON THE PLAINS WITHOUT YOUR HORSE...... GOOD LUCK!

Hi LordPaultheDubious...... Well yes and no. Many Ancient Myths could have evolved into actual Formations. I am sure that (as with The History of Chinese and related weapons), Firefly will no doubt incorporate ''legend'' and ''fact''. It should no doubt be interesting (although I am more interested in Freebuilding Maps and such). The ''Soldier'' in Me does look forward to seeing the finished and released product of the figures used in The Game.

AVE CITIZENS..... SHOW YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE BY PASSING OUR NEW QUIZ. 10 QUESTIONS DESIGNED TO PONDER YOUR CONTINUED CITIZENSHIP......GOOD LUCK AND FAIL NOT, LEST YOU BE FED TO THE LIONS!

Excellent Work, Strife!

Hello, Korsfarer Mogens.....And Welcome to The Nation!???? :) You most certainly CAN submit your Maps. However, please go to The Main Page of Our Site and click on ''Submit A Download''. Please follow all instructions regarding ''How''. It takes several days for a Staff Member to ''Test'' your Map. This is done to ensure that there are no ''issues'' and that it is in fact.. ''playable'' by others (who will no doubt like and want to play your ''creations''). You may submit as many Maps from any Stronghold Series Games you may own. Just remember it takes us (Staff) time to review. ALL of us have ''Real Life'' issues (Work, etc.). Most often, Weekends (and depending on ''where'' in The World ''we'' are) are our best free times. Also (and most often) ''we'' will not advise you when your map is cleared for use. You have keep checking The Downloads Section periodically. We will advise you via PM IF there was a problem. Thanks for becoming a Member and again...Welcome to The Nation. Any other questions, please feel free to ask!

VERY Nice indeed!

Well, I watched the Video. From what I gather, much like Stronghold Legends ? Firefly incorporated Vietnamese legend and myth into it's game play (Merlin, Gawain, etc.) Much of what I know of Vietnamese History is it's relation to China and later Japan's (brief) occupation (Medieval Period, around the 10th to 13th Centuries AD). All in all it will be interesting.......

This actually looks kinda cool... I can't wait to ''Sandbox'' it (Map Making etc). Thanks Eagle for bringing this in. Good Job!

Get Promoted and go on an ''Executive'' Vacation...huh....? :lol: Glad your well and had such a good time! Was wondering were you were. Vacations are great when you can go. I went on a ''working'' Holiday this year. Maybe around Christmas I will take a proper one (lol). As you can See, I have been writing alot. Resurrected both ''UFOs'' and ''Monster Thread'' as well. Working on some other ideas for Threads as well......we'll see. Glad your well again!

Always Late!........ Congrats, Buddy-----Well Deserved!

THAT'S what I couldn't remember.... Eagle Prince brought up Sierra Games old ZEUS Game, which as I remember has a companion Game called Middle Kingdom (I think). It reminds me of that, with a little of the old Age of Empire chapters. I still break out my old Pharaoh Game on occasion.... Still, I'll give it a shot........

Good Job bringing this to our attention, Matthew! A very interesting idea. Freebuild will be a ''gas''. Looks like my old Ancient China Articles will become ''popular'' yet again.?? :D

Why, Yes...... 2 or 3 times per week.

Sir Chas...... The scene from ''Dances With Wolves''.....On The Prairie....''Why Don't He Write!'' (Look it Up, :D ) So Glad your Studies went well. Yet another fine Mind working towards ''Making America Great Again''? :rolleyes: I have been well, despite some dings and bangs to this ''Old Frame''. Thanks for your congrats, was quite a surprise for me as well. ''Brother Goodman'' was quite shocked too...(Whatever happened to that ''Old Blade'')? Hope you and yours are well and happy. Hope to see you gracing our Great ''Kingdom'' once again!