| Date | Original Topic |
| 9th September 2003 | OXEN
By JACK HITCH
WAS IT TRUE THAT THE OXEN WERE LET OUT OF THEIR CRATE AT R DRIFT AS PORTRAYED IN THE MOVIE ZULU?
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CONFIRM IF IT WAS TRUE OR NOT? THIS HAS BEEN BUGGING ME THE LAST FEW DAYS AND I FIGURED YOU ALL COULD CONFIRM IF IT WAS TRUE OR NOT. IT MIGHT BE JUST ANOTHER THING THEY ADDED ON ZULU. PLEASE CONFIRM. THANKS |
| Date | Replies |
| 9th September 2003 | Alex Rossiter
Jack , im not sure if there were any oxen at the battle? but im not sure |
| 9th September 2003 | John Young
As far as I'm aware it is just another piece of fiction, introduced for dramatic effect.
John Y. |
| 10th September 2003 | Clive Dickens
OK I am going to get flayed for this but I myself think that there was cattle somewhere arond Rorkes Drift, for a couple of weeks prior to the battle parties had been sent out to distroy Zulu settlements Sihayo's for one and the cattle taken, where would the take them? Helpmamekaar was some twenty miles away and Rorkes Drift was the holding point Depot if you wish so that was the most logical place to take captured cattle, and I think that this was the reason that Prince Dabulmanzi took his men on after Isandlwana he wanted to get their cattle back no other reason, but if this is indeed what happened wheather they used the cattle as portrayed in the film is another matter
Right now that is off my chest I now await the firing squad.
Clive |
| 10th September 2003 | Arthur Bainbridge
Well if there where no cattle there, their should have been,when the legend becomes fact print the legend. |
| 10th September 2003 | Miguel
Well, there were two kraals in Rorke's Drift, no question about it.
However, no mention to cattle was made in any account of the battle. There are however a few mentions to the part of the battle that took place in the kraals, and for what they state it should be concluded there was no cattle in there at the time of the fighting.
All modern statements comparing the film Zulu to the actual facts say the scene was pure fabrication for artistic effects.
Anyway, I am not an expert.
Miguel |
| 11th September 2003 | Roseanne
I recall reading that the few mules and horses kept at Rorke's Drift at the time of the battle were found grazing down by the river after the fighting. Particular mention was made about Chard's wagon horse/mule being there. I can't remember where I saw that reference.
Didn't No. 4 Column do quite a bit of cattle raiding (Buller and the FLH)? I don't think the cattle were kept with them. The animals were sold somewhat quickly after the raids, weren't they? Maybe a few were kept by the Column for food, but I think the money made from the sale of the cattle was far more important to them.
|
| 11th September 2003 | Simon Copley
I would have thought Chard would have sent the cattle away to create a better field of fire otherwise they would have been excellent cover for the Zulus
What happened to the cow who got her horns caught in the bars of the gate in Zulu?
Was she ok? |
| 11th September 2003 | Trevor
I think she went on to R.A.D.A. and some years later recieved a BAFTA for most improved Cow!!!!! |
| 12th September 2003 | Adrian wright
I use to go out with a talented cow!! |
| 12th September 2003 | Trevor
Sorry. Got to ask!
What was she talented at????? |
| 12th September 2003 | Adrian wright
Taking my money - what else!!
For the those of you who think cows can't act, you obviously don't know my ex-wife !!
It's all good fun really.
Adrian |
| 12th September 2003 | Simon Copley
Thought I had made a very intelligent point but trust you lot to sieze on the whimsical bit!
Did she have an UDDERSTUDY? |
| 12th September 2003 | Adrian wright
No need to MILK it !!
Adrian |
| 12th September 2003 | Dave Nolan
Ah the CREAM of internet talent is here...... |
| 12th September 2003 | Trevor
Enough lads!
Back to Moo-Moo.
Sorry! Zu-Lu |
| 14th September 2003 | paul naish
Slaughter oxen, yes. Miniscual in number. Rest (booty) had been herded up to Helpmekaar by the cattle agents - Hall being one of them. |
| 15th September 2003 | Simon Copley
Well done Paul Naish - you just saved this thread |
| 16th September 2003 | JACK HITCH
I SEE WE HAVE SOME COMEDIANS HERE.
YOU GUYS ARE ALMOST AS FUNNY AS THIS ONE PERSON I KNOW!!!!!!!!!! |
| 8th October 2003 | Colour Sgt. Frank Bourne (aka M Heyes)
"No comedians, please...."
(Said whilst taking the roll of B Company, 2/24 after the Battle of Rorke's Drift).
"Say 'sir'......officer on parade!" |
