Anglo-Zulu War [24th Regiment of Foot] Infantry 1
The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. Two famous battles of the war were the Zulu victory at Isandlwana and the British defence at Rorke’s Drift. Following the passing of the British North America Act of 1867 forming a federation in Canada, Lord Carnarvon thought that a similar political effort, coupled with military campaigns, might lead to a ruling white minority over a black majority, which would provide a large pool of cheap labour for the British sugar plantations and mines, encompassing the African Kingdoms, tribal areas and Boer republics into South Africa. In 1874, Sir Bartle Frere was sent to South Africa as High Commissioner for the British Empire to effect such plans. Among the obstacles were the armed independent states of the South African Republic and the Kingdom of Zululand.
Frere, on his own initiative, sent a provocative ultimatum on 11 December 1878 to the Zulu king Cetshwayo and upon its rejection sent Lord Chelmsford to invade Zululand. The war had several particularly bloody battles, including an opening victory of the Zulu at the Battle of Isandlwana, followed by the defence of Rorke’s Drift by a small British Garrison from an attack by a large Zulu force. The British eventually won the war, ending Zulu dominance of the region. The Zulu Kingdom was then made a protectorate and later annexed by the British Empire in 1887.
The regiment was formed as Sir Edward Dering’s Regiment of Foot in 1689, becoming known, like other regiments, by the names of its subsequent colonels. It became the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1751, having been deemed 24th in the infantry order of precedence since 1747. In 1782 it became the 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot. The 1st Warwickshires were the 6th (1st Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot.
====Isandlhwana====
In 1875 the 1st Battalion arrived in Southern Africa and subsequently saw service, along with the 2nd Battalion, in the 9th Xhosa War in 1878.
In 1879 both battalions took part in the Zulu War, begun after a British invasion of Zululand, ruled by Cetshwayo. The 24th Foot took part in the crossing of the Buffalo River on 11 January, entering Zululand. The first engagement (and the most disastrous for the British) came at Isandhlwana. The British had pitched camp at Isandhlwana and not established any fortifications due to the sheer size of the force, the hard ground and a shortage of entrenching tools. The 24th Foot provided most of the British force and when the overall commander, Lord Chelmsford, split his forces on 22 January to search for the Zulus, the 1st Battalion (5 companies) and a company of the 2nd Battalion were left behind to guard the camp, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pulleine (CO of the 1/24th Foot).
The Zulus, 22,000 strong, attacked the camp and their sheer numbers overwhelmed the British. During the battle Lieutenant-Colonel Pulleine ordered Lieutenants Coghill and Melvill to save the Queen’s Colour—the Regimental Colour was located at Helpmakaar with G Company. The two Lieutenants attempted to escape by crossing the Buffalo River where the Colour fell and was lost downstream, later being recovered. Both officers were killed. At this time the Victoria Cross (VC) was not awarded posthumously. This changed in the early 1900s when both Lieutenants were awarded posthumous Victoria Crosses for their bravery. The 2nd Battalion lost both its Colours at Isandhlwana though parts of the Colours—the crown, the pike and a colour case—were retrieved and trooped when the battalion was presented with new Colours in 1880.
The 24th had performed with distinction during the battle. The last survivors made their way to the foot of a mountain where they fought until they expended all their ammunition and were killed. The 24th Foot suffered 540 dead, including the 1st Battalion’s commanding officer.
The Battle of Isandlwana was dramatized in the 1979 movie Zulu Dawn.
Foreign service helmet was usually dyed buff or off-white with either tea or coffee. This helmet was the only concession to the heat. Badges were unlikely to have been retained. Red tunics with facing colours as listed below. Some regiments had white piping on the jackets. Blue trousers with red side stripe. Gaiters and boots black. Leather equipment white/buff. The more experienced soldiers were often in full beards. ‘Old sweats’ also frequently tied rags around the barrels of their guns, as the Martini-Henry would soon become hot enough to burn the palms of hands.
The 1st Battalion of the 24th was composed of older men whilst the 2nd Battalion were less experienced, many men being on the new shorter service terms of six years. White good conduct and long service chevrons (inverted) were worn on lower right arm. Officers sometimes wore blue patrol jackets with black frogging. At Isandhlwana the 24th had their 1st or Queen’s Colour with them, which Melvill and Coghill attempted to save.
The soldier has working weapon, without mods. It has the ability to shoot and stab with a bayonet.
I enjoyed making this contraption. And I think you’ll enjoy it too.
tags: You don’t have to look at it.
Zulu human weapon sodlier Rorkes Drift Isandlwana Zulu war people roleplay Roleplay rp War people contraption pack
