The Battle of Hlobane took place on 28th March 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. It was part of the British strategy to divert Zulu forces and relieve the besieged British camp at Eshowe.
The British forces, led by Colonel Evelyn Wood, planned a night attack on the Hlobane plateau, aiming to capture Zulu cattle and disrupt their supply lines. The plan involved two columns: one under Lieutenant-Colonel Redvers Buller to attack the higher plateau, and another under Major R.A. Russell to take the lower plateau.
The British troops faced significant challenges due to the steep and rocky terrain. Buller’s column encountered fierce resistance from the Zulu warriors, who were well-prepared and entrenched on the plateau. The British forces struggled to ascend the steep slopes and were eventually forced to retreat, suffering heavy casualties.
The Zulu forces, led by Mnyamana kaNgqengelele and Prince Mbilini waMswati, successfully repelled the British attack. The British suffered 225 killed, including 12 officers and 80 regulars, while the Zulu casualties were estimated to be around 1,000 killed.
Despite the defeat at Hlobane, the British managed to regroup and achieve a victory the following day at the Battle of Kambula. The Battle of Hlobane demonstrated the fierce resistance of the Zulu warriors and the challenges faced by the British in their campaign against the Zulu Kingdom.
Orders of Battle
British Orders of Battle
- British Commander-in-chief
- No. 4 Column (detachment) Colonel H.E. Wood
- Lieutenant Colonel R.H. Buller’s Force
- No. 11 Battery, 7th Brigade, RA (half a rocket battery)
- Baker’s Horse
- Dutch Burghers
- Frontier Light Horse
- Raaf’s Transvaal Rangers
- Weatherley’s Border Horse
- 2nd Battalion of Wood’s Irregulars
- Lieutenant Colonel J.C. Russell’s Force
- No. 11 Battery, 7th Brigade, RA (half a rocket battery)
- Mounted Infantry
- Kaffrarian Rifles
- Natal Native Horse
- 1st Battalion of Wood’s Irregulars
- Prince Hamu kaNzibe
Zulu Orders of Battle
- Zulu Commander-in-chief
- Prince Mbilini kaMswati
- abaQulusi
- umCijo
- inGobamakhosi
- uVe
Download This Scenario
How it Played
Sources
Other blog categories that may be of interest. 10mm ACW Project, 10mm AWI Project, 10mm AZW Project, 10mm CGW Project, 10mm FIW Project, 10mm Sci-Fi Projects, Aliens, Dropzone Commander, Terra Nova, 10mm WWI Project, 10mm WWII Project, 10mm Zombie Project, Battle Reports & Scenarios, Making Scenery & Terrain, Painting Guides, Shows & Events, Solo Wargaming, Wargaming Projects, Wargaming Rules.
Leave a Reply