British End Zulu's Winning Streak - The Battle of Khambula 1879

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Published 2024-04-04
The Battle of Khambula, fought on the 29th March 1879, was the turning point in the Anglo-Zulu War.

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The Battle of Khambula 29th March 1879

On the hilltop at Khambula in north western Zululand, an army of 20,000 Zulus charged 2,000 British.

The pride of the Zulu army - those warriors who had inflicted that famous defeat on the British at Isandlwana - flung themselves against the entrenched British position.

But unlike that defeat, this time the British commander, Colonel Sir Evelyn Wood - a man who had been awarded the Victoria Cross during the Indian Mutiny and who had survived being trampled by a giraffe- was ready for his Zulu enemy.

Laagering his wagons on high ground, he sent out his mounted forces under Colonel Redvers Buller to goad the Zulus into attacking before they were ready.

The British redcoats then laid down a withering fire on a narrow front.
Despite using captured Martini Henry rifles from Isandlwana, the Zulus couldn’t break through.

And as the exhausted Zulus finally broke Wood’s cavalry pursued them for miles until nightfall.

The left behind 1,500 of their comrades dead.

It ripped the heart out of King Cetshwayo’s army and he would never again field an army of this size until the final battle at Ulundi.

When was the battle of Khambula? 29th March 1879

Where was the battle of Khambula? North west Zululand (South Africa)

Which British army regiments fought at the battle of Khambula?
Royal Artillery - 6 x 7lb guns, plus two rocket batteries.
Royal Engineers
1/13 (Somerset) Light Infantry (7 companies)
90th Light Infantry
Mounted Infantry

Colonial forces:
Baker’s Horse
Border Horse
Frontier Light Horse
Kaffrarian Rifles
Mounted Basutos
Raaf’s Transvaal Rangers
Wood’s irregulars

British commander at Khambula: Colonel Sir Evelyn Wood VC

Anglo Zulu War Timeline:

11Jan 1879 British invade Zululand after King Cetshwayo ignores ultimatum
22 Jan 1879 Zulus defeat British at battle of Isandlwana
22-23 Jan 1879 Defence of Rorke's Drift
12 Mar 1879 Zulu victory at Intombe
28 Mar 1879 Third Zulu victory of the war at Hlobane
29 Mar 1879 British achieve decisiive victory at Khambula
2 Apr 1879 Further British victory at Gingindlovu
1 June 1879 Prince Imperial ambushed & killed
4 July 1879 Final Zulu defeat at the battle of Ulundi


Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:40 Zulu War Videos
3:06 Battle of Hlobane
5:29 Evelyn Wood Prepares
5:59 British Army
6:29 Khambula Camp
8:21 The Zulu Army
9:31 Waiting
10:23 Zulus Arrive
11:26 Battle Starts
12:33 Ride For Your Lives
15:21 Right Horn Attacks
16:30 Left Horn Attacks
18:30 Zulu Rifles
20:06 Chest Attacks
20:56 90th Counter Attack
22:13 Zulu Defeat
23:44 Controversial Victory
25:56 Battle of Khambula Importance


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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

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Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

All Comments (21)
  • @chauvettes
    Love learning British history from across the pond.
  • @thomaswayneward
    So it was ok for the Zulus to massacre the British at three battles, but not ok for the British to massacre the Zulus at one battle. I assume the Zulus took no prisoners at the first three battles.
  • @harryshriver6223
    Well done, amigo, I really enjoyed this episode of the Anglo Zulu War. It seems there was wisdom to the directive of not attacking entrenched British positions. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the courage and tenacity of both armies. The age of the Zulu empire has passed, and only the shadows of it remained, which will never be extinguished. Yes and no to your question, I think that it was a combination of the two.
  • @garybroad4092
    Chris - as always, absolutely brilliant. Thanks so much !!
  • @oc2phish07
    Brilliant episode, Chris. Loved it from start to finish.
  • Excellent video. In school we didn't learn any of this. Amazing how you can learn your own countries history on YouTube. Keep up the great work
  • @mfranssens
    Love history and you present it so well. Thank you
  • @Joe-ie1mi
    Love your content, and having grown up watching Zulu from a very young age, i can't get enough of the history of the Zulu / boer wars. So refreshing to hear more about these different engagements. Thank you so much for your time in researching and making these videos :)
  • Thanks Chris you are always balanced and fair in your observations and give honourable credit to the combatants of both sides. History related fairly and factual as is possible.