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Date	Original Topic
24th January 2002	A theoretical question... By Ian Essex With the benefit of hindsight, would any of the visitors to this forum have made the defence of the mission station differently to how Chard,Bromhead and Dalton did it? For example would everyone have included both the buildings in the defence?
Date	Replies
24th January 2002	Glenn Wade I wouldn't have left one building outside the defence because the Zulus could have brought in snipers at very close range! Bye! Glenn
24th January 2002	Alan Critchley Ian, when the defences were started, there were some 200 NNC defenders until their premature departure. If Chard had known he would end up up with only 150 men, he might have rethought his strategey (of course along with Dalton) and reduced the area of his defence. Only theory mind. Alan
24th January 2002	Greg Had the hospital been left outside the defences it would have afforded the Zulus valuable cover.It`s subsequent defence bought about its setting fire to, which gave the defenders the light they needed at night to hold off the attacks.But then on the other hand had it been held the Zulu`s, I think would have exploited their attacks under the cover of night.And broken through the perimeter somewhere .It`s a tricky one to call.
24th January 2002	Lee Stevenson Don't forget the part Surgeon JH Reynolds played in organising the defence. It was he, along with Bromhead and Dalton who planned out the defences long before Chard arrived. Reynolds was most insistant that the hospital be fully included in the defensive perimeter.
26th January 2002	Bill Power It would've been suicide to leave any building outside the defence perimeter-see Wellington's [a master of the defence] occupation.at Waterloo, of La Hayesante and Hougomont,advanced post near the Line,both posted with the best,KGL Jaegers and Grenadier Guards respectively!! Both these exposed posts were backed up with the 95th Rifles,the best of the best!! This was how important buildings were in a battle,as they offered points of concentration,masked from fire,for attack!! Remember Bromhead's comment that his Grandfather got his Candidatcy at Waterloo!!