ZULU War Pongola River Region Chapter 4 Attack

A great baritone chant echos across the field punctuated by a stacato call and response as commands and intent of the impi are expressed in musical singing.

Thousands of iklwa (spear) beat a rhythmic and staccato thunder as the impi is put in motion.

Djemdande leads forward the impi.

Shots from the Royal Rifle Corp. fell onrushing zulu.

Down the full length of the european line companys volley fire into the mass of zulu.

The battle is joined as zulu ibutho crash like untimed waves into the assembled europeans.

Native fights native on the far right flank behind the mission station buildings. Natal Rifle contingent go hand to hand with the white feather ibutho.

12th foot stand firm next to their gun.

Eyes front and double clik your images! The lancers poise for action.

Near mid morning the tide is beginning to rush out as the zulu have impaled themselves on european firepower.

Danger!! The right flank is decimated in melee with the zulu imp.

ZULU War Pongola River Region Chapter 3 Prelude to Battle

The Zulu Impi of Djemdande appears on the border of the Greenwood Station.

In three images we can pan from left flank to right and see the Bull's head formation.

Djemdande's right flank consists of two ibutho. The ostrich plumes and the ocelots. They are pictured on the left. Part of the main force can be seen at the right which consists of two Ibutho, Sulphur and Homeguards.

This next image shows Djemdande leading the Bull's head and immediately behind him is the Tiger tails and the Ferrets. Two highly trained and deadly ibutho.

Now looking at the left horn of the bull we can make out two final ibutho the Tiger tails and the White tails. Also captured in this image are two errant bushmen caught between the advancing impi and the European mission.

Here is a file photo on loan from the collection of Dr. Ward, Botanist with the Geographic Society.

Here we see a bushmen family group in the natural setting. Contact with these people is sketchy and this photo was taken when Dr. Ward accompanied a Natal Native Contingent into the field.

The soldiers can be seen in the trail behind the trees.

Newly arrived in Greenwood Station are the small scouting party of Frontier Light Cavalry.

ZULU War Pongola River Region Chapter 2

Somewhere in the Pongola River basin a Zulu Kraal seethes in the aftermath of contact with the Europeans. The ultimatum is un-liveable and the Zulu Kraal of Djemdande cannot abide by the restrictions, conditions, and oppression of the British crown. War is inevitable and the impi begin to gather.

Djemdande's kraal.
The 24th Lancer commander, Ashley D. Day, and his aide, Captain Robert Davis, ride at the head of the column of 24th Lancers.

The arrival of the 24th Lancers, into the Greenwood Station parish.

The two cavalry commanders meet and report on the situation.

We can see Lt. Col. Blackford's command returning from the zulu interior and a hot confrontation.

Blackford and the Natal Frontier police return from delivering the crown's commands to the people of the bantu tribe of Djemdande.

The 12th foot drill and parade in Greenwood station. An artillery piece has been unpacked and the lads are reading the instructions.

More reinforcements. The King's Royal Rifle Corp has also arrived this week from a short march up the coast and inland to the now well fortified station. Here we glimpse Lt. Walters, and drummer boy Pope (who hopes to distinguish himself) leading a column of the 60th foot.

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ZULU War Pongola River Region

The Kraal of Djemdande of the Bantu people languors in the noon day sun. Hunting parties are out and life moves at it's own heat scorched pace.

No matter how far the hunting parties range. An eye is kept toward home.


The arrival of a courier group of Europeans - The Natal Frontier Mounted Police.


The dusty column meanders it's way toward the Kraal.

"Natal Mounted Police, may we have a word with Djemdande?"

"Yes tell him it's urgent...."

The scene is an audience with the Chieftain. It devolves into a skirmish.


Two of the party make for a small break in the fence enclosure.


Outside the kraal the scene is more strikingly violent.


The escape of Major Blackford.


More than a few of the Natal Police don't make it out.


On an uncontrolled mount trooper Juergens is pulled from his horse and dispatched.


The kraal is an angry hornet's nest.


Major Blackford and one half of his initial command make it back to friendly advancing column of the 12th infantry. Defenders of Greenwood station!

Next episode the battle at Djemdande kraal.

Alexander Calder performs his "Circus" - Whitney Museum

Why an Artist may Want to play with Clothespins

To be in good company and have good times.

Cheers

Clothespin Toy Soldiers Tutorial Chapter 3 Figure Decoration

In this chapter our figures take on final decoration painting and additional craft items.
These Zulu in the following picture had felt loin cloths added and pipe cleaner arms pushed through the drilled hole. Our earlier made rifles are passed out and arms posed in a variety of ways to suggest a rabble. Items are hot glued into position.


Our British officer is attempting to get this Native Rifles platoon into manageable order.


These lads will serve on all of my crew served artillery and Gatling guns. These hands on the pipe cleaner are made by dipping the arm into paint once inserted into the figure. Kinda liked it at first but I have a better method now.



These figures are made up to serve as Natal Mounted Police. The clothes pins were selected for their particular deep head shape that suggests the helmet quite nicely. The hands are made from mailing label sticky paper and colored with a felt tip pen.

Full Squadron ready for action in the Natal frontier.


The clothespin horse. Pretty successful depiction with a limited palette. Three clothespins were used and cut in a variety of ways to get the parts. Two large flat pins and one small flat pin for the head. The horse neck is one of the tines cut from the large clothespin. Dismounted policemen nearby.


ZULU chief and his harem.

Natal Policemen and Zulu Chief discuss issues.

Clothespin Toy Soldiers Tutorial Chapter 2 Painting and Rifles

Here is the pegs all primed. For the Zulu I use Walnut brown or Leather Brown suitable final color. Front rank is the NMP on their dismount peggs.



Secret ingredient for painting eys.


More secret ingredient revealed.


A trip to the barber. The tray contains black yarn that I cut from a wadded bundle into very fine fluff. A spot of white glue on the peghead and a dip in the tray and you have a hairy zulu.

This next section shows how to make quick 54mm rifles of the era.

A visit to the armory.


Cut to length.


Sniped with the edge cutters. Double click the image to see the rifle in the foreground. Two quick cuts and a craft stick pops into the silhouette of a rifle. I prme em black with india ink.


Rifles with a couple a brush strokes of pewter or gunmetal acrylic.

Next Chapter will be on dressing out the peg with arms, weapons, clothing or uniform detalis.

If your making some along with me please post a comment with info on a peek at your forces.