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Date | Original Topic | 15th October 2002 | Gatling Gun. By Michael George Hi There, I know that there was not a Gatling Gun at Isandlwana, why is this. Seening as the camp was large, why didn't they have one or more?
Thanks for any help. | Date | Replies | 15th October 2002 | John Young Michael,
The first Gatling Gun batteries were introduced into the British Army during the Asante War of 1874.
At the start of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 the only Gatling Guns initially in the field were those of the Naval Landing Brigades of H.M.S 'Active' & 'Tenedos'. These were the only two Gatling Guns, to my knowledge, in Zululand at the time.
The Gatling Gun from 'Active' was deployed on 22nd January, 1879 at the Battle of Nyezane. The Gatling Gun from 'Tenedos' was I believe in a static defensive position on the Lower Tugela Drift.
The first Army Gatling Guns in country were those of Major J.F. Owen's No. 10 Battery, 7th Brigade, Royal Artillery, who were only despatched after the events of Isandlwana.
So the simple answer to your question is there weren't any to have.
John Young,
Chairman,
Anglo-Zulu War Research Society.
| 15th October 2002 | Michael George Thankyou for your Info, Mr Young. |
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