Walking the battlefield of Kambula - the place where the tide of the Anglo-Zulu War changed

The battle of Kambula saw the British finally turn the tide of the Anglo-Zulu war. Dug in and well-prepared they were able to turn back the victorious Zulu Impi.
Come with me as I walk the battlefield and tell the story of this crucial battle.
I have also just launched a podcast about British Military History - the first six episodes cover the Anglo-Zulu war: redcoathistory.com/podcast/
If you are on Instagram and like looking at photos of the world's battlefields then check me out
- / redcoathistory
I am also on Twitter - / redcoathistory
And I have a website - redcoathistory.com/

[@gmccombe]

My Great grandfather William McCombe was in the 1st Battlion 13th Reg and fought in the Zulu War. I have his medal from the conflict but until now I have been unable to determine which battle he was involved in. Thank you for this as it gives me an insight into what he must have experienced. Fantastic video and I will certainly watch more from your channel.

[@redcoathistory]

That's great, thanks so much for letting me know. I'm glad it was useful.

[@stuartwebster90]

Fascinated by British military history in the age of the redcoates , excellent presentation my friend

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Stuart.

[@marklongman6882]

What a stunning place as mentioned in the video and good to see memorials to the soldiers of both sides. Thanks for sharing this battlefield.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Mark, yes it is probably the most beautiful of all the Anglo-Zulu war battelfields.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Great presentation! Was in SA recently but not able to get here... great use of the drone too!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks so much - a great compliment from someone with your knowledge and experience.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi, how are you? I'm not sure if you are a fan of podcasts but if you are my new one has just launched. It is about British military history and season one is the Anglo-Zulu war. If it sounds like your cup of tea then here is the link - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-redcoat-history-podcast/id1464633664 or you can just google Redcoat History Podcast. Any thoughts pr feedback welcome and I may even have to get you on as a guest!

[@gillsjohn1]

@@redcoathistory do you know where you can actually see a car in the film Zulu ?

[@UkrainianPaulie]

To think of what went through the minds of the rankers. Thank you, well done. As an American, I am fascinated by the AZW.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks - it is a fascinating conflict.

[@Ksknight100]

Another top video Chris. I am so envious that you have walked those grounds. I am yet to get out there. It's quite incredible to think that Hackett survived despite that quite bizarre and horrific injury.

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Keith. Yeah, sadly he didn't live a long and fulfilling life after tho. Kambula is probably one of my favourite battlefields to visit. Stunning.

[@Ksknight100]

@@redcoathistory I've yet to get out there mate, something always got in the way. I will definitely visit one day. Your video tours are excellent and certainly scratch an itch for me. lol

[@bruceboome]

My Grandfather, an American Anglophile, had a smallholding that he called Kanbula. It's only recently that I discovered what he was honouring.

[@haroldburrows4770]

Your series is the best history tour I've ever seen on KZbin. I cannot thank you enough for it. I know it's a labor of love for u but it has to have been a chunk out of pocket

[@redcoathistory]

That’s really nice to hear thanks a lot. Yeah it does cost a lot more money than I can ever make back but I’m just proud to share these stories with the world.

[@brunosmith6925]

In 1978, a group of us went down to Natal from Johannesburg to play extras in the making of the film Zulu Dawn. The set was on a farm called Hindenburg, about 15km from Babanango. The Babanango Hotel was the only "place of entertainment" for miles around. On a couple of occasions we took Denholm Elliot, Bob Hoskins, Simon Ward, and some others to the hotel for the evening - my friend had a driver's licence for a minibus and James Faulkner asked him to be "taxi driver". We made good acquaintance with these guys. We were camped there (on set) for nearly 6 weeks and took part in many of the battle scenes.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi Bruno - what a fantastic story. Any chance you could share an email address with me as I’d love to hear more.

[@brunosmith6925]

@@redcoathistory At some point I'll post the pics onto one of my websites. I don't use social media as my computer systems focus on eCommerce, and I don't trust social media, as these will hack into my data at the first opportunity. One of my websites is tagmakers.co.uk and if you use the "Contact Us" page on that website I will reply.

[@redcoathistory]

Sounds good thanks

[@gooner72]

Another absolutely top-class video in this absolutely top class series mate........👌👌 I love British military history and, as I can't get out to thee battlefields, you've done both the fallen British and Zulu men proud. 🇬🇧✌️

[@redcoathistory]

Much appreciated. Glad you found it interesting mate

[@johngolombek61]

Thank you for posting to actually see the battlefield the terrain . Very brave warriors and soldiers.

[@Kimchiboy08]

Thank you for going to these historic places of which are far away across the globe from me. 🕯️🌏🕊️

[@stuartroyall763]

Just started to listen to your pod cast ! Really good thanks

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Stuart.

[@hindlewalker9330]

Well presented thank you a classic story of not fighting to your strengths, not easy for a Zulu army who employed the same tactics time and again.The initial orders of not attacking were sound but not easy to carry out with an army of farmers/warriors that were used to the chest and horns tactics.

[@ianknight2053]

Very enjoyable, thank you.

[@integrityjohn2685]

Thank you for your excellent presentation, very interesting and informative, look forward to more.

[@paultzacos7470]

Thank you. loved it .need more.

[@redcoathistory]

Brilliant Cheers, Paul. Will try and keep them coming as often as I can...

[@pkfarnham]

Fascinating, thank you.

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Paul.

[@leehowland375]

Excellent, very good detail man.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Lee

[@SmokinLoon5150]

Job well done. Thanks for sharing, this is much appreciated.

[@redcoathistory]

No worries - I'm glad you enjoyed the film.

[@scouttroopermerc1506]

Thank you, you just earned another subscriber.

[@redcoathistory]

That's great news!

[@gerryhughes3957]

Yet another brilliant video, thank you.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Gerry! Are you mainly interested in the Anglo Zulu war or all British military history? I'm thinking of starting a podcast - is that something you'd listen to?

[@gerryhughes3957]

Redcoat: British military history, interested in all British military history, however I do have a soft spot for the Anglo Zulu war stemming from watching Zulu as a young lad. Podcasts would be something I would definately listen to. Must say I love the videos, a factual, unbiased account portraying the bravery of the warriors on both sides.

[@redcoathistory]

@@gerryhughes3957 That's great news. Once the first season of the podcast is ready I'll put out a short video letting everyone know. Watch this space!

[@Jubilo1]

Superb episode and impressive scenery!

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you liked it. Amazing spot 👍🏼

[@robengl6553]

Love this series.

[@AJM-timecop]

Working on some maps on the Anglo-Zulu War. Love this series. Great to see the landscape where the battles were fought.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Andrew - maps for fun or for publication? I've been trying to make my own maps and it's bloody hard!

[@AJM-timecop]

@@redcoathistory They're actually for an upcoming documentary. About the war but focusing on Isandlwana & whether or not some better decisions could have been made & trying to figure out the exact approach of the Zulus. Yeah, it's tough going on resources. Even the British military maps of the day are a bit sketchy.

[@redcoathistory]

Andrew Murphy good luck with it and please keep me posted. I’m always interested in new research and documentaries related to the AZW.

[@AJM-timecop]

Redcoat: British military history Thanks Christian. Will do. FYI. Felt like I watched Isandlwana unfold at the weekend seeing my Man City team getting clobbered by Leicester. BTW Have you done a Hlobane video? Looks like a beautiful place. All the best.

[@redcoathistory]

Andrew Murphy ha ha funnily enough I’m a Leicester lad myself 😜 - Hlobane is on my list but I’m told I’ll need a guide and a 4x4 whixh makes it a very expensive day out

[@welshwarrior5263]

Excellent, thanks for posting, sharing your knowledge and passion.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate. Khambula is an amazing battlefield to visit!

[@welshwarrior5263]

@@redcoathistory Hopefully I will get to go one day.

[@Michael-ws7rc]

What a great video; I formative and respectful of both side. Excellent content.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Michael

[@julieblundell7421]

Great video mate, I am really getting more into the rest of the Zulu War, very interesting, Lee.

[@redcoathistory]

That's great to hear - I have a new Isandlwana video coming out next week for the 141 year anniversary. Hopefully you'll enjoy that one too,

[@jhvoojh]

Really enjoy your commentary m8.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Jimmy. Glad you like it mate.

[@shawngarratt2887]

Great again my friend 👍 really Injoyed watching this

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers Shawn.

[@stephencook7555]

Very interesting and well presented

[@fatherglyn]

These series of videos and podcasts are brilliant. Thank you.

[@redcoathistory]

fatherglyn thanks a lot I really appreciate that positive feedback.

[@fatherglyn]

do you have any plans to cover the Boer Wars? Also do you ever conduct Battlefield Tours?

[@redcoathistory]

@@fatherglyn Hi there - if you check my video feed there are a handful of Boer war videos though I haven't covered it for the podcast yet (hopefully one day). I haven't ran any commercial tours myself but I'm hoping to become legally badged to do so this year. WIll keep you posted!

[@sjt275]

I read the Washing of the spears 50 years ago its wonderful to see the sites of the battles !

[@danielbytheway583]

Just finished the first series of the podcast and it is brilliant, thank you very much. I am not really ready to move on yet so I am going to digest all of the Anglo-Zulu War KZbin stuff now :).

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers Daniel!

[@teammcintyre]

I LOVE your knowledge on this subject. I thought I knew everything about the Zulu wars. But realised I know very little. Have managed to do a video about Habani mountain?

[@redcoathistory]

Hi thanks a lot. I also still have a lot to learn. I have a new podcast out now if you interested...you can check my website www.redcoathistory.com for more. With regards Hlobane mountain I'm really keen to do something but I think I should take a guide as it's very big and difficult to climb. Will let you know! Cheers

[@euanwaugh2492]

Thank you, Chris. An outstanding presentation as always. I measured the still visible features in Google Earth to get an idea of scale of the site and dropped a polygon approximating the perimeter of 90 transport wagons (5 meters +) over the area to the NW of the hill/ redoubt. The hexagonal wagon kraal made perfect sense as a defensive position and fits perfectly with the terrain. I was surprised by its size. With a little imagination you can almost see its shape on the landscape.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate. I love people who take their research seriously. Thanks for sharing.

[@simonnormand2813]

FYI termite mounds are extremely hard, and are capable of stopping the heavy .45 caliber round

[@sduduzozulu2229]

Your Zulu pronunciation 👍. Love the channel!

[@redcoathistory]

Ngyabonga Mfowethu. That means a lot and is much appreciated.

[@Doticaster]

Awesome video mate, perfectly put together. So glad I found your channel the other day. I've been fascinated with the two films, seen them both don't know how many times. But I've been blissfully unaware that there were other battles. As far as I knew, Isandlwana and Rorkes drift were the only ones. Never in the slightest have I ever heard of Kambula, Ulundi, Eshowe, Ntombe Drift, Hlobane and Fort Melvill. So I've learnt soooo much in the last few days. Any idea why the other battles aren't as famous, or have I just been under a rock:) I hope there's more you can do and haven't covered yet on the Zulu war.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate. Yeah I guess everyone remembers isandlwana and Rorkes Drift due to the drama of the battles and the subsequent films. Personally I think some of the other battles such as Khambula and Ntombe Drift equally as interesting. Thanks again for watching and for your kind words.

[@francisplatt93]

Good pronunciation 😀 Lovely commentary of the battle. What a place is Zululand!

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it. Take care and keep in touch.

[@custerkiller7670]

You should make a video about Majuba!

[@redcoathistory]

I plan to but the logistics are complicated. It will happen one day!

[@custerkiller7670]

@@redcoathistory Thanks!

[@trisgilmour]

Very nice 👍

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Cletus.

[@geoffjones4285]

i've been to Islandwana Rorkes Drift Spion Kop Blood River Nothing compared to the circle of bronzed wagons at Blood River

[@rayh7264]

Thank you for another good video. Would you need a 4wheel drive vehicle for that road or can be driven by a medium sized sedan.

[@redcoathistory]

Depends on the weather - but we did it in a corolla with no issues

[@richards6368]

I really need to organise a trip to the Zulu war battlefields :')

[@redcoathistory]

Hi Richard - let me know if you come and I'll give any advice I can! BTW you probably already know but my new podcast is out now about the AZW - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-redcoat-history-podcast/id1464633664 - please let me know what you think.

[@iananderson3294]

British had 14 engagements with the Zulu armies and lost 11 of them, the three the zulus lost were devastating, Kambula was one of them.

[@redcoathistory]

I’m trying to work it out in my head - the Brits were victorious at Khambula, Gingindlovu, Nyezane, ulundi and Rorkes drift...

[@lyndoncmp5751]

There were 7 major battles. The British won 5, as Redcoat listed. Zulus won at Isandlwana and Hlobane. Intombe was not really a major battle. Seige of Eshowe was not a Zulu victory either.

[@peezebeuponyou3774]

"Badly beaten for the first time in the war"? I'd describe Rorke's Drift as the Zulus being badly beaten, tbh.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for commenting. Now I think about it, it's actually quite complex...I don't think Rorke's Drift was a major defeat for the Zulus especially not strategically but you are right in that they were beaten back from the ramparts of the mission station and so I should be more precise in my speech. Hope you enjoyed the video otherwise and that you keep in touch.

[@peezebeuponyou3774]

@@redcoathistory Fair reply- love the videos mate.

[@fanelemabaso2514]

Thats wasnt the Zulu army, they disobeyed Royal authority so I dont see the logic of saying the zulus got beaten

[@johnroche7541]

There was 3 battles in the opening 48 hours of the Anglo-Zulu War (Isandlawana,Nyezane River and Rorkes Drift). Historians estimate 2,500-3,000 Zulu KIA from these battles.

[@SIEGODERTOD1]

I thought the battle of rorke's drift was the turning point of the Anglo-zulu war...

[@SanitysVoid]

I cannot find a single video on the topic of how the British could have better defended themselves at the battle. I have some of my own ideas but I am no tactical expert. Would like to see something like this done. Just my observatons they should have formed an infantry square around the water and ammunition supplies with a natural barrier like a gully or hill side to cover one side of it. Could have bolstered their position with various wagon carts the had.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi, thanks but Im confused - the british won this battle with ease...Have you watched the video?

[@SanitysVoid]

@@redcoathistory No I thought it waa Isandlwanna.

[@joelastlight7162]

Congratulations you speak both Zulu and English like a native.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Joe - it's nice of you to say so but I'm afraid my Zulu is very basic. I do speak intermediate level Sesotho which is another South African language tho - so there is hope for me yet I hope. One day I'll try and learn Zulu properly.

[@iainsanders4775]

Those blocks of trees look artificially close, like our UK National Forests.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi Iain, yes they do a bit. I’d have to do a little bit more research to discover when they were planted and by whom. It’s an interesting pointS

[@christopherfranklin972]

Sorry not a 'red-out' but pronounced 'ree-dowt' otherwise nice to see somewhere that I have read about umpteen times in 'Washing of the Spears'. Would love to see Hlobane mountain if only from the bottom.

[@redcoathistory]

I'm from Leicester I'm afraid I pronounce many words incorrectly :-)

[@christopherfranklin972]

@@redcoathistory You're in a better place now .... thanks for all these walks,great perspective on what the ordinary soldier had to cope with and how terrain affected battlefield command.

[@localbod]

@@redcoathistory Your video presentations are fascinating and well made. You can always learn more and improve your pronunciation as I'm sure you have done in the past in a similar way with your knowledge of this period of history. 👍

[@redcoathistory]

@@localbod Thanks - appreciate the support. Yeah I'm still trying to learn and improve everyday. I guess it is a process that never ends.

[@milowagon]

The landscape looks very like Scotland, strange.

[@pm-bg9mu]

Detailed info - great to see battle feild Why film makers never done a film on this great victory Not one sided Zulus great. Fighters

[@drewharding]

Great fully that British held their own way better in that battle then at Isandlwana all the way but still and least after seeing Colonel Dunford and the last of the regiment of that battle held their own for over half a hour during the last stand took down many of those spear enemies with them right guys

[@davidw1634]

Sad that they don’t maintain the grave stones

[@cyberceasar8620]

I was there in 2013 It was rainy and fogey We heard shouting.

[@redcoathistory]

You heard shouting? What sort of shouting? From the neighbouring village or a horde of Zulu ghosts?

[@bryanhurd9955]

At that time zulus could say...we are the boys from isandwala ...in english.... maybe in zulu and substituting indoda

[@jeffsmith2022]

re.doubt...

[@peterrooke5336]

Yes Zululand is beautiful , no wonder the Boers wanted it .

[@michaelsewell3706]

Martini rounds will never fully penetrate an anthill, even a modern 7.62 military round won't make it through.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Rubbish.

[@michaelsewell3706]

@@snowflakemelter1172 anthill in Africa are tough, any anthill big enough to hide a man is far harder than a sandbag of the same size . I have shot many while walking in the veld as target practice with a Martini Henry 577/450 and the bullet never made it more than a few inches into the anthill.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

@@michaelsewell3706 7.62 with go through a tree, don't be daft.

[@michaelsewell3706]

@@snowflakemelter1172 don't know where you live but come to Africa and I will prove it to you , anthill are not just piles of sand , they have the consistency of concrete.

[@danahsutton101]

The sun never set on the British Empire but the people and soldiers remained poor and the Royals, government, and bankers got rich.

[@rodgerhargoon3402]

And the more richer they got the more arrogant they got too...😂😂😂😂

[@behroozajang1296]

This is the well known 100s year stories about f. british colonialism and this one may be dimond .

[@Zulu.Warrior]

Question? Why is it ALWAYS THAT MAGIC NUMBER OF 20'000 ZULUS, no matter what battle the it's ALWAYS "20'000" ZULU WARRIORS. Can you see the false and deceptive narrative here? British at Isandhlwana approximately 2'000 Zulu warriors. 20'000 And then there is the question of who counted the Zulus to check it was actually 20'000

[@redcoathistory]

Hi there, that's Interesting. Thanks for sharing - I'd be very keen to see more info on the false narrative so please feel free to share any sources etc.

[@peezebeuponyou3774]

Can you point to any evidence that would undermine those figures?

[@fanelemabaso2514]

@@peezebeuponyou3774 Apartheid and Colonisalism, both have been proven as white supremacy instruments that re-writr history to suit their narrative. If you know anything about Critical thinking ud know history is written by the winners...

[@josephphoenix1376]

Colonialism & Capitalism 🤔😡

[@eagleeyeprintingdesigning5443]

Thank you very much. Love the way you explain the positions advancements and showing exactly or about positions as it is today. You opened my eyes as to the exact movements of the Jameson raid as well (explained very well). Spioenkop being one of my favourite battlefields Ive been too. One skirmish that is seems to be forgotten is the one that took place between krugersdorp and hekpoort (Its called the forgotten battle) DWARSVLEI battle. And on the same farm was another incident www.sahistory.org.za/place/dwarsvlei-near-pretoria. If you could find more info concerning this would be highly appreciated to map out position and movements. The second incident is of quite good information. 9 Oct 1900 captain of the royal scots fusiliers Hugh Montague Trenchard was ambushed> Trenchard survived to become a great man who changed the course of history. He become the father of the Royal Air Force and architect of modern air power dictating the role of aerial bombing warfare in both first and second world wars.. without him there would not have been a barrle of britain.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi - funnily enough I have been to the battlefields of the Magaliseberg area and I hope to explore them more. I will aim to make a video there when I take a deep dive into the Anglo-Boer war in 2022. Do you live in Joburg?

[@eagleeyeprintingdesigning5443]

@@redcoathistory please do and if I can tag along will be the highlight of my time. Yes I stay in krugersdorp, that is what got me so interested in the Jameson raid. When I lived on the family farm just outside Ladysmith was when the history bug bit me and got so into it bei g the first battle field I visited was the spioenkop. Email me with pleasure and let's get things cracking for next year. [e-mail]

[@redcoathistory]

@@eagleeyeprintingdesigning5443 Great stuff - interestingly the battlefield of Dwarsvlei is right on the main road as you drive out of Joburg into the Magalies...I'd have to check which road on the map - but I had driven past it a number of times without realising!