The Shangani Patrol - the British 'Custer's Last Stand' (1893)

There is a 20% promo code for David Snape's book 'The Fire of Venture was in his veins' when purchased via the Helion website. It is JULYMTM20
The Shangani Patrol was part of the Ndebele War of 1893-94 which ended in the overthrow of the kingdom of Lobengula, King of the Ndebele. In this video historian David Snape talks us through the full story of this legendary engagement which is often compared to Custer's Last Stand.
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[@morganhaselau7410]

With horses in a circle, they sang "God Save the Queen" And thirty- four young troopers would never more be seen They killed ten times their number; they're on the honour roll So take your hat off slowly to the Shangani Patrol Brave men on both sides. Thanks for telling their story.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

They should have sung "God save us, because the Queen won't".

[@DarkWingZ_65]

John Edmond...:-)

[@madhusudankannan4700]

Whites praising Whites is not uncommon since they were the rulers. What about thousands of Nativre soldiers who would never be seen again. ANY History especially of battles needs to be balanced. Was any research done in the captured kraals to know the cost of the sufferings in those kraals. Certainly NOT. Cattle and lesser humans don't need yo be researched. Truth is bitter. So please swallow it.

[@southernafricanboy4148]

​@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 😂🤣🤣

[@sculptureshard377]

Fascinating interview indeed. I was a young police officer in training at the time and stationed at Morris Training Depot in Salisbury Rhodesia. My squad, 10 of 1969, were undergoing equitation training in preparation for the BSA Police Display of 1970, an annual event which involved us touring the country and performing at agricultural shows where we displayed horsemanship skills in the form of a Musical Ride. We were seconded into being extras for the film titled 'Shangani Patrol' and travelled by train and bus all the way down to Bulawayo then onto Marula where the shooting occurred. An interesting time and initially exciting as we all had stars in our eyes, but within a short space of time most of us grew bored with the filming process as we were policemen in training and not actors. In costume we rode our mounts to set locations for rehearsals and then shoots. I remember the heat, being hungry, and many funny incidents. Sadly Brian O'Shaughnessy, who played the part of Alan Wilson died in 2001, whereas the American Actor Will Hutchins, who played the part of the scout, is enjoying old age and has a fan page. I was in contact with his wife last year and related humorous incidents I witnessed on set, one of which involved Will and Brian walking beside each other for a scene. Because Will was so tall, the crew dug a ditch for him to walk in alongside Brian so that the height difference wouldn't be so noticeable on screen. They rehearsed the scene several times before it was filmed and I remember the humour in it.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi there - thanks so much for sharing that story. It’s greatly appreciated!!

[@Paladin1873]

I only visited your country once in 1985 to connect with some friends who lived outside of Hartley (now Chegutu) in the bush and to do a bit of hunting and site-seeing. By coincidence, one of the hotels I stayed at by Victoria Falls was also housing the cast and crew of a movie company that was filming "Allan Quartermain and the Lost City of Gold". I bumped into several of the actors, including Sharon Stone, James Earl Jones, and Henry Silva. My friends are deceased now and their children live in America, which is just as well. When I think of what has become of that beautiful land I want to cry in despair. I've read that the money is so worthless today that they are printing 100 trillion dollar notes. This truly is inconceivable.

[@mattharcla]

@@Paladin1873 Some say it is reverting back to how things were before some organizers arrived.

[@Paladin1873]

@@mattharcla Perhaps Milton put it best when the devil said "It is better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."

[@cuebj]

​@Paladin1873 Milton didn't know his theology. The devil is the first victim of hell, not the ruler.

[@TheBushmanmike]

Wilson and his men amounted to 37 in all, three escaped, Fred Burnham (US), "Pearl" Pete Ingram (US, Burnham's Brother in Law) Both very experienced Frontier Scouts both in Africa and America, and an Australian. The patrol was by this time totally surrounded. The only reason they were given permission to leave the group was because of their experience as scouts and proven ability to succeed against the odds, this was a suicide mission to inform Forbes of the dire position of Maj Wilson and CO. Their ability to backtrack and avoid Matabele pursuers and avoid the several ambushes, proved this. Crossing the heavily flooded fast flowing Shangani River was the final act of scouting ability and horsemanship. Wilson ordered them to try and get to Forbes against the odds, they volunteered to go on this mission. Any suggestion otherwise shows ignorance of the facts and little proper research. There are several accounts of this story written by eye witnesses and not one that I have researched had anything but praise for Burnham, Ingram and other scouts who guided the columns in three major battles with the Matabele Impis in 1893 and later many other battles in 1896 all around Bulawayo. The Mbizo Impi, led by Lobengula's General Mjaane, was Lobengulas "Home Guard" as it were, and the most experienced and able of all his Impis. It was Mjaane, among many others, who bore witness at the inquiry held by Rhodes with regard to what happened, and from whom the immortal words "Men of Men" emanated, he refused to take part in the Matabele Rebellion of 1896 and stayed loyal to Rhodes at this time, honouring promises made to Rhodes to keep the peace after 1893. MW

[@michellebrown4903]

Wilbur Smith fan here . He wrote quite a lot of novels about Rhodesia. I didn't realize he got the name of one of his books from " Mbjaane" , a character from at least three of his books .

[@TheBushmanmike]

@@michellebrown4903 Smith worked for the receiver of revenue in Rhodesia, he like Jonny Clegg (from Bulawayo) would never admit this in public, I wonder why? They learned so much there, mainly from the indigenous tribes including multilingual English/Shona/Ndebele speaking Rhodies who are also indigenous. :0)))

[@mattharcla]

I'd love to know who the Australian was.

[@davidsnape2778]

All correct and included in the book

[@TheBushmanmike]

@@mattharcla His name was "Chas" Gooding :0)))

[@keithagn]

Yes, please do more stories of Rhodesia. This is fascinating history, and I can't thank you enough for bringing it to everyone, and me. Best Regards from Canada 🇨🇦

[@Paladin1873]

I had friends in Rhodesia during the 1970s when the bush wars heated up again. I didn't visit the country until the mid-1980s after it had become Zimbabwe. Today the place is a social and economic wreck thanks to communism, socialism, and the corruption they breed. It needn't be; the country has much to offer, but the power of tribal allegiance still holds sway over many people. Listening to the description of the Shangani Patrol leadership, one might conclude their descendants settled in Uvalde, Texas and are running the law enforcement community there. With regard to Frederick Russell Burnham, he is a mostly forgotten giant in both American western culture and colonial African history. British general and war hero Robert Baden-Powell was taught woodcraft by Burnham and used this knowledge to later create the Boy Scouts. Burnham himself became a notable figure in the Boy Scouts of America. A video about his life would be great and nearly unbelievable.

[@redcoathistory]

Morning. Thanks for that. I do eventually plan an entire video on Burnham - what a man!

[@dreambaked1024]

Mmmm.. More thanks to crippling sanctions imposed by Britain and the US....Less because of those isms that weren't ever present. It's amazing how much shit some of you people blame of fuckin communism... Like its you guys why certain shit is fucked... not communism. classic excuse

[@markaxworthy2508]

Rubbish. The mess the country is in today is nothing to do with either Socialism, or Communism. Neither ever got a foothold in Zimbabwe. ZANLA and ZTPRA turned to the Communist Bloc for weaponry because they couldn't get it anywhere else, not for ideological reasons. They were African Nationalists first. The Terrs called the war of 1966-79 the Second Chimurenga. For them it was the continuation of the First Chimurenga, which referred to the initial resistance of the Mashona and Matabele in the 1890s.

[@tombogan03884]

It's simply returning to what it was before the "evil" colonizers arrived with their medicines, and schools, and laws.

[@ric6383]

Absolutely, had the UK and US supported the internal settlement, it would very probably be the jewel of Africa. Unfortunately, there are about 50 sad examples of what happens when a white administration depart an African country.

[@Krutchly]

I first read about this event in a book called "The White Men Sang," by Alexander Fullerton. The description of the battle was very detailed - right down to the deaths of the individual troopers. A riveting read.

[@davidsnape2778]

A good book but fictional account. Historians had to rely on Ndebele survivors for an account of what happened.

[@malpreece5008]

Have you read Chris Ash’s ‘Matabele’? I read it a few years ago, and it was very good.

[@shauncrawford9473]

read that book a very long time ago absolutely fantastic book

[@malpreece5008]

@@shauncrawford9473 Agreed. It’s definitely worth a read if you’re interested in the history of Rhodesia. 👍🏻

[@decem_sagittae]

How can anyone know how individual troopers died when there were no survivors?

[@lesbeswick6172]

Yes, as a child, I lived in Northern Rhodesia, and would like to hear as much about Rhodesia, as I possibly can. Thanks.

[@welshwarrior5263]

What a lovley way to spend a rainy sunday, listening to Redcoat History. Thank you both.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate, glad you liked this one.

[@imamba1]

Yes please. More about Rhodesia, my old home.

[@tonyhedrick7673]

Great video, I really enjoyed it! I would definitely like to hear more on the history of Rhodesia.

[@redcoathistory]

Great thanks. I’ll be doing more over the next few months

[@TheBushmanmike]

There were eight Impis involved, two pitted against Forbes and five against Wilson and Borrow, one remained with the King who fled toward the Zambesi along the Gwaai Valley where he died a few months later. His grave has been located but his bones, I believe, have been reburied with his father Mzilikazi near Bulawayo.

[@wozatel]

not quite

[@TheBushmanmike]

@@wozatel ?

[@tombogan03884]

I've wondered if he were ever found ever since I read "Storm over Rhodesia".

[@robengl6553]

Fantastic video as usual. Channel is getting better and better. Mr Snape's book is excellent.

[@christophermcguire7888]

A wise commander never fails to, tell his lads what's going on and inspires confidence builds morale Moses

[@michellebrown4903]

You do know that Moses didn't exist , right ?

[@iananderson1901]

Yes he did. I know two people named moses

[@christophermcguire7888]

Well, someone did Exodus did, and what's that to with the shocking price of fish

[@christopping5876]

Yesterday please. More Rhodesian history from your unbiased view point. I grew up in Rhodesia so may just not have been told quite everything!!

[@fredazcarate4818]

Yes my lad, please produce that video about those intrepid Americans that served Wilson at Shangani.

[@BrendonChase2012]

So glad you have made this video, I remember asking you to do a video on the Shangani Patrol...I'll pretend it's all down to me! Great stuff, keep it up!

[@peterscrafton5212]

Very interesting, and very well done. Not all of us have the same degree of articulacy in front of a camera, but it was clear that Mr Snape knows his stuff, and I, for one, found him easy to listen to.

[@zanaugustincic7682]

Wonderful video! I would very much appreciate more stories from Rhodesia in the future.

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

Given his abysmal track record of getting into hopeless scrapes, just HOW did Harry Flashman manage to miss this one?

[@redcoathistory]

Good point - I would assume old age, but I guess that wouldn't have held back good old flash Harry!

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you- I read a book on the Shangani Patrol in the British Council library , many years ago.Glad you covered this- with photos of the combatants.Fredrick Burnham was Lord Roberts chief scout , unless I am mistaken. Look forward to more tales .

[@speakupriseup4549]

Excellent video, fantastic historical subject, subscribed.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Excellent video about a battle I'd never heard of.

[@SmokinLoon5150]

Excellent presentation. Thank you for sharing.

[@mrpamcn]

Very good, Chris. I've had an interest in this topic since I was a kid. My mum actually bought Alexander Fullerton's book The White Men Sang for my dad back in the 60s. I still have a copy of it along with 3 others on the subject, one of which is Burnham's memoir. I had family too in Bulawayo and used to write to one of my cousins there when I was 12 or 13.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Paul. One day I hope to visit the battlefild. Will keep you posted if I get there.

[@mrpamcn]

@@redcoathistory Please do, Chris. I look forward to hearing more.

[@stephengreene1856]

Nice!! I just sat down in the afternoon,Cold Beer,work is done and a new video!

[@DJNaija]

Quality. Keep them coming

[@brianford8493]

Brilliant stuff as per usual chap....keep it up please ✌️

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Brian

[@julianpalmer4886]

Rudyard Kipling's poem 'If' If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream-and not make dreams your master; If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same: If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings ⁠And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you ⁠Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!' If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, ⁠And-which is more-you'll be a Man, my son!

[@robertwaid3579]

I need too Watch n Hear this Out. Very Diligently. So I'll download it for Later. Thank You.

[@Revolver1701]

Fascinating. Good video. Thank you.

[@TheBushmanmike]

There is another very famous patrol, the Umgusa Patrol consisting of a number of different units, one being the Grey's Scouts , one of many battles which took place on the Umgusa River. No less than two VC's were awarded during these battles around Bulawayo in 1896. There was a further VC awarded for the Mazoe Patrol, around the Mazoe Mine not far from Salisbury now harare at approximately the same time. Not to mention the VC awarded to Corporal Molineux at Mafeking. All English speaking and well educated Rhodesian Frontiersmen. "At the Club in Bulawayo they spoke of many things, of Baxter late of Grey's, and Molineux at Mafeking" mw

[@Jubilo1]

Superb episode !

[@nathanmcauley8806]

don't know if you'll see this but i really love the history of the south african and british history specifically late 1800s love your content please keep doing stuff like this.

[@stephenhunt2806]

Another excellent podcast with a fascinating interview with David Snape. I look forward to watching the full interview with him. This action is also covered in the BBC Rhodes documentary that I mentioned in a response to your Jameson Raid podcast. I would love to watch more podcasts about the Rhodesians and not just the colonial period. The action of the Rhodesian anti-tank gunners at Thompson's Post (2nd Alamein November 1942) would make a good podcast. Regarding David's books on Shangani and the James Raid, they can become obtained for an even bigger discount, £14.76 including postage, from "Books etc.".

[@sethdekooters7567]

Thank you Christian for bringing this piece of interesting history to my attention.

[@50TNCSA]

Back in 1889 a regiment was born And her mounted troopers Rode in sunshine and in storm From Betchualaland to the mighty Zambezi Known by many names she was the BSAP

[@TheScoopGorrilla]

Well done great video!

[@stephengreene1856]

I really like your videos covering British Military Actions in Africa. I have read a bit about the wars there,But it was more of a general history, I like to know more about individual actions,And I've never read anything about Shangani except a small footnote in a book,

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers Stephen I’m glad you enjoyed this.

[@blockmasterscott]

Wow, I had never heard of this action!

[@FMCH6444]

What kawinkydink you posted this. I just found your channel & watched the Isandlwana videos & thought that the late 1800s was a bad time for modern troopers vs natives, Custer's Last Stand was roughly 2.5 years before the British defeat at Isandlwana - stick out as major defeats & there a lot of little ones. Fantastic channel. I've been interested in the Zulu war since I was a kid & HBO here in the States aired Zulu Dawn. Fantastic channel, I'm binge watching all of your videos so I can catch up. - wow, that was long winded!

[@redcoathistory]

That’s great - i really appreciate your feedback and I’m glad you like the channel.

[@islamentable1290]

Love this content. I was one of the last generations to be schooled in British Colonial History, but even then, there was a shade of shame. This is just an honest discussion of the base narratives. You are way better than O level history and Wilbur Smith!

[@frankwilkinson6328]

We should never be ashamed of what we did in Africa, look at the situation in Africa since "independence".

[@britishpatriot7386]

I'm not ashamed of my British history because we shaped the world and invented most things used by the world today. God bless Britain.

[@royals080]

​@britishpatriot7386 that's a lie. Lol you can easily google otherwise

[@cuebj]

He deliberately avoids the politics and attitudes of the elites. He focuses on the military and soldiers who followed orders. Keeps it simple, though I haven't seen if he tells of those events where common soldiers went bad

[@cuebj]

​@frankwilkinson6328 We should be ashamed of some events and developments and proud or neutral about others. As son of a colonial administrator, spent childhood in Northern Nigeria, then boarding school of just 60 with English, African, Indian, Southeast Asia, plus other national origin boys, I learned a fair amount of how colonies, protectorates, and Commonwealth worked for ill and good

[@robertschlotte1124]

I’ve had a copy of “scouting on two Continents” by Major Frederick Russell Burnham DSO since I was a kid. It had belonged to my Great Grandfather, a Boer War Veteran with the Black Watch. I’d enjoy knowing more about Maj Burnham.

[@kiwifruit27]

Great video, thanks

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you liked it!

[@Daylon91]

Great video and u should do a video on St Clairs defeat (worst battle in American history)

[@charlesmoore7349]

Great. Thanks.

[@billballbuster7186]

Great presentation. Its really amazing that Wilson thought that he could ignore his orders and ride into Bulawayo with just 12 men. Far from a hero, more of an egotist that got his men killed for his own glory. The men fought magnificently for all that, in a hopeless situation.

[@garychynne1377]

thank you

[@southernafricanboy4148]

Anyone been to site of battle of Mbembesi. My mom who is ndebele btw would walk past the site as a kid and some of the boned would sometimes be washed exposed. This was way back History of our country is interesting

[@woodland5325]

"Up the wild shangani and down the other other side up the wild shangani where Alan Wilson Died" Song Shangani Patrol by John Edmond

[@eddierudolph8702]

Great video

[@99IronDuke]

A good video. Wilson's men were brave soldiers. You should do a video on the 1906 Bambarta rebellion in Zululand.

[@MrNaKillshots]

Fascinating.

[@jayturner3397]

Good article, I've somehow missed that 1970 film..shall dig it out thanks

[@redcoathistory]

You should!

[@jayturner3397]

@@redcoathistory ti's on good sir

[@alexbowman7582]

You know Baldric when I joined the army we were fighting fuzzy wuzzies with sharp sticks.

[@FranciscoPreira]

Great episod indeed.

[@davidcoleman2796]

Canada . My home . I am glad my father came here from Liverpool.

[@michaelross1943]

Great video, more Rhodesian history and the men who made it.

[@Schlachtschule]

An excellent video which spurred me to find a copy of the movie, and I'm glad I did. Historical inaccuracies aside, it was quite a good film. Thank you. Incidentally, have you considered coving a Victorian conflict which has gone almost entirely untouched by others--namely, the Abyssinian Campaign of 1867-1868 under Napier, which culminated in the Battle of Magdala. In that battle, about 5,000 British troops defeated a force of over 30,000 native troops under Emperor Theodore III. What makes this battle historically noteworthy is that it is the first major battle in which the incredibly important Snider-Enfield breechloading rifle was used. This rifle was a conversion of the existing Pattern 1853 muzzle loading rifle, and was the first breechloading rifle in British military service. It's a fascinating rifle (one I shoot), and doesn't get the coverage it deserves.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks - I will add it to my list of conflicts to cover.

[@wuffothewonderdog]

@@redcoathistory I lived in Malawi in the 1970s, working as an accountant in the Malawi government. In 1978 I travelled up to Karonga near the Zambia and Tanzania borders, where I found an Imperial War Graves cemetery, with graves dated August/September 1914. This was the beginning of WW1 in Africa, with the Germans invading the then Nyasaland marching west, and the King's African Rifles marchng east into German East Africa. They missed each other in the best colonial manner and the match had to be re-arranged, with the Germans winning seven-six according to the graveyard count. Not a Victorian skirmish but I believe the first British shots of WW1 were fired by the British steamer firing on the German steamer station days after war was declared.

[@TrevorMoses312]

Please list the historical inaccuracies?

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

Fredrick Bernams book is a very good read. He lead an exciting and adventurous life. Fought in the US southwest. And in two wars in Africa for the British and was Loard Roberts chief of scouts during the Boer War.

[@AD-on3zx]

What is that Zoulou poster? Was that the SA version of it? I'm intrigued.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi / it’s the Belgian one 👍🏼

[@queridecristin1340]

Interesting! I went to Allan Wilson High School in Salisbury now Harare

[@2anthro]

Austin Texas appreciates your site. Military history is always the same story no matter the continent: political, economic, valor, brilliance, mistakes, last stands, legend. All that set in Africa makes an engaging story. Subscribed for more!!

[@johnkennedy4433]

Love this. So interesting.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot.

[@abrahammorrison6374]

Roger Bartlett, aka Big X in the Great Escape was from Rhodesia.

[@davidedbrooke9324]

Gone bad since it became Zimbabwe. No surprises here.

[@fuckfannyfiddlefart]

Britain is bad BECAUSE of IMPERIALISTS and racists like you.

[@mikereger1186]

Not sure Europe is all that much better, the way things are headed...

[@manofkent6560]

@@mikereger1186 The Kalergi plan in action.

[@wuffothewonderdog]

@@mikereger1186 And for the same reasons.

[@deniimacdougall]

​@@mikereger1186 Same here in the States!

[@santagemma6212]

So sorry to hear Rhodesians were and are being deprived of their most fundamental rights.

[@2394Joseph]

I was in Harare (ex Salisbury) in 1985, five years after the installation of Mugabe. There was a small bronze plaque on one of the walls which stated that it was on that exact spot that the Shangani Patrol left on their mission, which of course they never returned from. It would be interesting to know if that plaque is still there?

[@redcoathistory]

Hi. Could you give a clue as to where the wall was? If so next time I visit I’ll check

[@2394Joseph]

@@redcoathistory All I remember is that it was close to the centre of Harare near a group of single level shops. One was a newsagent and another a second hand shop. It was on a full brick wall (no windows or doors). There was also another plaque close by referring to the fact that it was 328 kms from there to the spot where the last stand happened. (yes klm not miles for some reason). Sorry that is all that I remember.

[@TheBushmanmike]

@@2394Joseph They left from Bulawayo not Ft Salisbury (now harare). Wilson originally left from FT Victoria for the occupation of Bulawayo. Salisbury Horse left Ft Salisbury and joined Wilson (Victoria Rangers) at Iron MIne Hill The Shangani patrol was formed en route to where they thought Lobengula could be found after he fled Bulawayo, so it would take a huge stretch of the imagination to believe the patrol itself left from there (harare)..

[@2394Joseph]

@@TheBushmanmike I still have a photograph of one of the wall plaques that I saw, (there was two) it reads (All in capital letters) "SHANGANI MEMORIAL" (heading on one line). "328 KILOMETERS" (next on one line). Then: "SCENE OF THE LAST STAND AGAINST THE MATABELE BY MAJOR ALLAN WILSON & HIS COMPANY OF 34 MEN 4TH DECEMBER 1893. THERE WAS NO SURVIVORS". I don't know where the battle was actually fought, if it was 328 Ks from what is now Harare, I did see it there. Then again, it was 1985 when I saw it, and I was both in Bulawayo and Harare so I could be mistaken where I actually saw it (If you know your Rhodesian geography please let me know if I reported wrongly). I do, somewhere, in all my photographs have the photo of the plaque showing the spot where they left from (which was next to the plaque mentioned above). I will try to dig it out and let you know what it says exactly.

[@TheBushmanmike]

@@2394Joseph The battle took place in the district of Lupane near St Pauls Mission, it is about 40 km north of Bulawayo. You can get there via Lupane village and the Memorial still stands at a place known locally as Pupu. This indicates that it is 300 odd ks south of Salisbury now harare. When I was in the Grey's Scouts we patrolled this area, very eerie place, made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I have pictures of the memorial, and two others at Ft Victoria and Matopos their remains were buried three times before final resting at Mt Malindidzumu Matopos, where Rhodes and Jameson are also buried.

[@teufeldritch]

Up the wild Shangani, and down the other side Up the wild Shangani where Allan Wilson died

[@cyanideinmycereal1077]

Up! The wild Shangani, and down the other side! Up! The wild Shangani, where Allan Wilson died!

[@TheTigerOC]

Just some trivia; The geographic area of the present Zimbabwe was known as Zambezia and only became Southern Rhodesia after the 1923 referendum on whether the territory would become the 5th Province of South Africa or a self governing colony in the British Empire. They voted for the latter. Up until that point the country was controlled by the British South Africa Company. This was discussed thoroughly in the KZbin Series Fighting Men of Rhodesia where this early history was led by Hannes Wessels a descendant of the pioneers.

[@pfcsantiago8852]

Good stuff.

[@jeremydarkeag1e85]

Excellent 👍 👍

[@phann860]

Very good.

[@tombogan03884]

Lobangula, who negotiated the land sale with Rhodes, was not the "king" of the Matabele. He was their OWNER. He was King of the Zulu. Both Fredrick Russel Burnham, and F.C. Selous wrote extensive accounts of the war in general, and the Shangani patrol in particular.

[@umvhu]

Lobengula was a very interesting guy, extremely sharp mind. Nearly all the images we see of him were strictly posed, he'd taken off his usual clothing in order to look like the stereotype native chief. However as part of the trade with Cecil Rhodes, Lobengula had a few sets of clothes of a London Gentleman of the Victorian era, top hat and tails etc, which was his normal attire, he also rode horses. Both of these were in direct contrast to his culture. If you want a more accurate idea of this event a guy called "Five romeo romeo" has it on youtube

[@nigeldeacon3271]

On the Shangani memorial, close to Rhodes's grave, the figures on the panels round the top are said to be true representations of the men involved.

[@redcoathistory]

I would love to visit one day.

[@s.wvazim6517]

Correct and the martini-henry rifles,stirrups and a few other things got cast into the bronze relief. Very special place very important to the matabele and the old soldiers alike. With the words TO BRAVE MEN written in solid brass on the foot of the monument the actual sight of the slaughter is a adventure to get to but can be found with research come visit zimbabwe we are A OK for tourists. A bit rustic granted but gtg !!!

[@nigeldeacon3271]

@@s.wvazim6517 I lived in Bulawayo when I was young. My father was an engineer at first The General and then at Mpilo. Then to a tea estate at chipinga (Chipinge)

[@s.wvazim6517]

@@nigeldeacon3271 awesome 😎💪

[@MrPh30]

Look online for Ganyana 's articles on the guns and rifles ,equipment used by the Columns up into Matabele land and Rhodesia . They are excellent written and lot of good info amd experience from them.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks will do!

[@MrPh30]

Aswelo as much other guns ,war and hubting related from a lot of southern parts and Zim .

[@Jubilo1]

More Rhodesia please; where else would we see it ?

[@johndubose1395]

how did the native forces handle logistics in the field to keep so many fighting men fed ?

[@redcoathistory]

Well that was one of the biggest weaknesses of the Impis and why they couldn’t field a force for a long time. I should probably do a whole video on this subject - thanks 🙏

[@keithagn]

Yes, an army travels on its stomach...

[@TheBushmanmike]

They "lived off the land" most warriors had young carriers who foraged for them and carried their kit etc. On major operations, they took cattle and goats with them, but generally, they lived off the land which they knew so well and the spoils from lesser tribes and occasionally settlers.

[@michellebrown4903]

Napoleons armies survived largely , by " foraging" ,that's why he kept his different Corps fairly distant from one another, and then briefly bringing them together for the Coups de Maine.

[@peter4Flags]

Men of men That was one of Wilbur Smith’s books. I can remember the story that mentioned heavy rain ,and a massacre of colonist. It depicted one as slaver a despicable man who had the grudging love of a heroine. The slaver got killed by the impi . So the story is based on this very near true account of what happened. The only thing I was wondering about; is that the book mentioned that the impi were once Zulus ,and they fragmented from the main nation, and were chased away by The Zulus up North and not by the Boers . And I think you mentioned that the land they settled on became Rhodesia. But did some of the land become Botswana? Your upload is appreciated and thank you.

[@davidlee-ln9vh]

You could do another channel on Americans fighting abroad

[@leondillon8723]

0:06)Is that Lee Majors, stage right?

[@neil03051957]

I understand now why the shona attacked the Ndebele after independence 1980, it was retribution for lonbengula.

[@barneyreichman127]

Yes please, more Rhodesia, will be looking at more of your videos in future.

[@invisibleray6987]

shangani patrol...iconic

[@bernardmusesengwe1984]

Curious if, in this particular situation, the Matebele employed the ingenious buffalo/cow horn strategy to launch their assault on Wilson and his troop.

[@redcoathistory]

They may have been limited by the very confined space of the battlefield.

[@MrGgkirke]

Interesting how Victorian warrior sagas have the last survivors going forward singing or marching forward with fixed bayonets' into the horde of uncivilized locals .

[@TheBushmanmike]

Oral tradition that came down from lupane/gwaai area. Now I am an outcast. ... Go now all of you to Rhodes and seek his protection. He will be your chief and your friend." The king turned to Magwegwe, the next in rank, and said: "Do you remember your words?" And Magwegwe answered: "Yes, King. When you die, so shall I die." Lobengula took a small bottle and drank. Magwegwe did likewise. They both died that day. Told by the Matabele not the Europeans.

[@BMC-hl2uh]

Sounds good.

[@David-jw7km]

At 16:44 why did you interrupt such an important discussion about command structure with a stupid question?

[@redcoathistory]

I guess I'm just a lowly idiot. Thanks for flagging it!

[@milkapeismilky5464]

A handful of hard Men, it's an unfortunate title, but a great book about Rhodesia

[@Trigormike]

Ha ha. I have it on my Amazon wishlist. If we lived in a time when that title could not be intepreteted saliciously.

[@trevor5138]

The film scenes are from the 1970 South African feature SHANGANI PATROL, directed by my friend and mentor David Million ASC 🙂

[@muziekays3053]

Name of highlighted Movie please

[@TrevorMoses312]

Shangani Patrol.

[@martinarreguy2984]

Expansion mate? How about emperialism, the same as us bloakes across the pond, mate. I was a hired gun for 23 years, and we learned it all from the Spaniards and those who were precedent to them. Nice video! Great information.

[@MadMax-bq6pg]

Now it seems obvious to me that young Wilson was the man who had the credentials for command in a land force. If one peruses the photographic portraits of successful British generals one will see mustachios that would make a grandfather Walrus positively green with envy! Wilson was the obvious choice for commander.

[@dalirfarzan1694]

1:59 lol, it's Forest Whitaker

[@ric6383]

More Rhodesian history, go for it!

[@redcoathistory]

Got a few now on the channel and another one going out on Friday - enjoy!

[@emeraldflint516]

more history abut Rhodesia would be nice :)

[@redcoathistory]

In will do so - to be honest, I hadn';t realised how popular this subject was.

[@twotubefamily9323]

Try a story on "Thomas Cochrane"

[@cpurssey982]

The Kings and Generals channel have made a fantastic documentary about him.

[@donaldscott4917]

An interesting account which is similar to others I have read. In summary the whole campaign leading to the demise of Wilson's Party was in short a military disaster driven by ambitions of personal glory particularly from Wilson. Had we in the Rhodesian Army done something similar during our war we would have been Court Marshaled.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Martialed

[@TheBushmanmike]

Different times cannot be evaluated the same. Not a disaster at all, Matabeleland was liberated, and Rhodesian black tribes multiplied exponentially 200, 000 to 6 000 000 in 70 years. At the time the population was regressing even further, poverty, disease,witchcraft, and genocide.

[@fionasmith6868]

How true is this what this man is talking