The June meeting of the Society was addressed by Mr. George Chadwick who presented his lecture on "Shaka's Campaigns against the Ndwandwes".

The first campaign against the Ndwandwes probably took place in April 1818 when the Ndwandwe army of some 12,000 men led by Zwide invaded Zulu territory. On hearing of the approach of the Ndwandwes, Shaka positioned his force of some 7,000 men at KwaGqokli hill. The Ndwandwe army was weakened by the detachment of 4 regiments who attempted to capture the Zulu cattle that Shaka had arranged to have enticingly close to act as a decoy. The Ndwandwe main force attempted to storm the Zulu position on the hill, but, despite several determined attacks they were repulsed. The Ndwandwes still relied mainly on throwing assegais whilst the Zulu stabbing assegai was used as a hand to hand weapon. The losses of the Ndwandwes are estimated to be about 7,500 and those of the Zulus over 2,000.

In mid 1819 the Ndwandwe army of some 18,000 men again invaded Zulu territory. This time it was led by Soshangane, later founder of the Shangane people. They were opposed by about 8,000 Zulus. Shaka prepared for a war of attrition and withdrew the population and cattle from the area between the White Mfolozi River and the Nkandla forest. In addition the Ndwandwe army's difficulties were compounded when Zulu patrols captured their food cattle. They now attempted to come to grips with the Zulus who they surmised were hidden in the forest. The Zulus however infiltrated small parties into the Ndwandwe positions at night and proceeded to inflict slight casualties but enormous confusion and demoralisation. The Ndwandwes retreated into open country the following day but were harrassed continually by the Zulus who always avoided a major engagement with superior forces. The following day the Ndwandwes began to cross the Mhlatuze River. When about half the army had crossed, thus reducing the numerical odds, the Zulus attacked. The Ndwandwes suffered heavy losses and, after making a successful outflanking movement, the Zulus surrounded the Ndwandwe force. Very few escaped.

The meeting opened with a pictorial review by Major Darrell Hall of previous Society visits to the Natal battlefields. Once again member's indiscretions were captured by Darrell's ruthless lens.

Frederikstad Tour - 25th June 1989

An excellent turnout of members and guests (approx. 100) attended the recent Frederikstad battlefield tour. This tour led by Major Antony Gordon of the Society's Cape Town branch and myself covered the Battle of Frederikstad in October 1900. The tour was based on the personal accounts of the men that were there, especially, Antony Gordon's father, who was a Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Fusiliers during the battle. Special thanks are due to Antony for sharing his father's diary with us.

Future Tours - Survey

The Society has reached a bit of a turning point in the planning of battlefield tours due to the high costs of transport and accommodation. We are carrying out a telephone survey and urge all members to please advise us of their Views. Please telephone Mrs. Joan Marsh and advise her of your preference for the following:

A: Weekend battlefield tour by luxury bus, eg., to Ladysmith. 2 nights accommodation at hotel. Approx. cost R300 per person.

B: Do it yourself one day trips. Members are responsible for arranging their own transport and refreshments at their expense (as with Frederikstad).

C: Do it yourself weekend battlefield tour. Members are responsible for arranging their own transport and 1 nights accommodation. Society block booking would probably be made, eg., Harrismith & Rustenburg trips. Approx. cost R80 per person (accommodation only).

Future meetings

Johannesburg - July 13th - Mr. S.B. Moscoff - "The Mau Mau Uprising, 1952/57".

- August 10th - Mr. Terry Collins - "Rorke's Drift and the Eleven V.C.'s".

The Johannesburg Meetings take place in the J.C. Lemmer Auditorium, S.A. National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at 20h00.

STEWART STILES