The battle of Ntombe drift - another British disaster of the Zulu War

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The battle of Ntombe drift, also called Intombe drift or Myer's drift is a little known but very interesting chapter of the Anglo-Zulu war.
A company-sized detachment of the British 80th regiment was virtually wiped out during a surprise attack by thousands of Zulu warriors under Mbelini.
In this video I walk the battlefield, give a history of the battle and even get to meet a descendant of the Zulu commander himself.
I have also just launched a podcast about British Military History - the first six episodes cover the Anglo-Zulu war: redcoathistory...
If you are on Instagram and like looking at photos of the world's battlefields then check me out
- / redcoathistory
I am also on Twitter - / redcoathistory
And I have a website - redcoathistory...

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1 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 159

@UkrainianPaulie 4 года назад

This American appreciates your videos. I've always been intetested in the Zulu Wars.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Fantastic - thanks for letting me know. Always great to hear people across the world are enjoying it.

@rkaylor5769 3 года назад

Yeah, this American just discovered this channel. Great stuff. Subbed…

@JamesThomas-gg6il 4 года назад

Chelmsford and really just about all of the higher ranks felt as if the Zulus would be a pushover. How wrong they were and how slow to learn. Good video

@paulnienhaus5359 2 года назад

👏 Great job. Great to see a battlefield in pristine condition. I’ll bet it is an amazing experience to stand in a peaceful quiet spot , and that same place back in March of 1879 was the site of absolute mayhem. I felt that while visiting the site of Custer’s defeat in Montana. Imagination is a wonderful trait to possess if you love going to battlefields like the Little Big Horn or Ntombe drift. Excellent job!

@Sharpe2007Dent 4 года назад

28 y/o Brit here, never thought id see these places in such useful three dimensional detail especially this one! Keep it up pal thanks x

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Brilliant - I'm glad you've found it helpful

@drunkenork5373 4 года назад

Your channel deserves more views. I will spread the word to my military enthusiast friends Excellent stuff

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Thanks - that would be really appreciated.

@hannostadler7224 2 года назад

You don't just go into a river in SA dude. 😂Awesome video. As always, cheers from Zululand 🇿🇦

@paulgibbons2320 3 года назад

Stupid to judge history the way we do. Worth noting that Chelmsford very much learned from his mistakes. They were fighting an evolving enemy who were also evolving new tactics. How history would have been better if our common lads did not have to be led into battle by our 'educated' Oxbridge an Oxford elites.

@rc59191 4 года назад

Wtf you need more subscribers theres nothing cooler than someone who goes to the actual location to tell a story.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Thanks a lot. If only I had the time and money I'd love to visit more places - one day!

@homebrandrules 4 года назад

could u plz make a separate vid. On the flip flop incident which are correctly and superiorlly called thongs here in oz. alternately I have a bit of water experience and am willing to mount a recovery expedition of said thongs, providing you supply the vegemite and tim tams. You could also make a video about this as if tom foolery behaviour is qualitatively filmed then the viral reception is guaranteed, just ask mssrs milligan, bean & monty anaconda et al

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

homebrandrules you are right it does deserve its own video 😂

@tylere06 4 года назад

Thank you very much for these videos. I’m an American and have a keen interest in South African military history since visiting for the World Cup in 2010. It’s one thing to read about the battles, seeing them come alive in your videos adds an entirely new dimension.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

That's great to hear - I'm glad you enjoy them - have you listened to the Redcoat History Podcast also? I go into a lot more detail - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-redcoat-history-podcast/id1464633664

@marvwatkins7029 5 месяцев назад

(Does he have SA citizenship? Or is his home still the UK?)

@williamjones2340 4 года назад

I appreciate any history I can get on the Zulu wars

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Good to know!

@wolfpack4694 4 года назад

The negligence of the officers in the early stages of this war is disappointing. Great video. Thanks!

@mrsillywalk 4 года назад

@Liverpool 11 They called for a war and no one turned up. That would be worth a funny walk.

@seanmoran6510 4 года назад

Liverpool 11 🤦‍♂️

@hombreenojado 4 года назад

Throughout history it seems a common theme with British wars. Arrogance and stupidity in the early campaigns until they "figure it out" (and the core of inferior officers get killed off.)

@mrsillywalk 4 года назад

@@hombreenojado It is hard to buy a commission in a good regiment now days.

@hombreenojado 4 года назад

@@mrsillywalk Thank god they eventually put an end to that practice.

@marvwatkins7029 5 месяцев назад

Beautiful country, that is for sure.

@toddscollectibles980 5 лет назад

Another great video of our history in the wars. Keep up the fantastic job, love watching and learning so much.

@redcoathistory 5 лет назад

Thankyou! It's great that people like us still care and remember. I've got a video on the battle of Kambhula coming up - I just need to find the time to edit it!

@jorgfilter2241 2 года назад

Good video! The drone obviously brought a good overview perspective. I was told that due to the poor management of the laager being set up that the name of Moriarty was still a "swearword" in the British army till this day.

@davidcraig9357 5 лет назад

Great job! enjoyed the presentation. Lt Harward should have been court marshaled for cowardliness for abandoning his troopers. A non-officer would have probably been executed for the same offense.

@redcoathistory 5 лет назад

Cheers David. Yes, it wasn't the best example to the men, agreed.

@nathanhudson4743 3 года назад

I've been reading your book and the links to these videos help so much to visualize the battles. Great job.

@jamesmichael3607 4 года назад

We’ll send a team in 50:years to retrieve you flip flops. Great 👍 history post. Thanx

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

James Michael ha ha that would be great! I still haven’t replaced them 😂

@richardhelliwell1210 6 месяцев назад

It is always interesting to see the ground itself. Looks so innocuous and peaceful now.

@anthonysalgado5118 4 года назад

Here in SA flip flops are known as plakkies(Afrikaans).

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Thanks Anthony...Will know for next time.

@platonicincubi1679 Год назад

I only recently became aware of this battle and took an interest in Sergeant Anthony Booth. I was amazed to find that he is buried just 15 minutes walk up the road from where I live. I visited his grave in January and took some photos. I'm going to put some flowers on the grave to mark the 144th anniversary of the battle on 12th March.

@redcoathistory Год назад

That’s great. Lovely gesture.

@rupertmcnaughtdavis3649 4 года назад

As a South African, I've learnt something.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Don't try and wade a river in flip flops? :-)

@badtexasbill5261 4 года назад

Greetings from round rock texas

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

@@badtexasbill5261 always good to hear from a Texan 👍🏼💪🏼

@Rustsamurai1 4 года назад

Officer incompetence !!

@davidwhisenant394 5 лет назад

Great! Very informative and fun. Thanks for the quality work.

@redcoathistory 5 лет назад

Cheers David!

@nathankerns6501 5 лет назад

Quality goods. Thanks for your work!

@redcoathistory 5 лет назад

Thanks Nathan!

@cheeseburgerrunner5217 3 года назад

Great content man, I love seeing the places you visit and the way you talk about the battles. Great job, the bit about the thousands of female subscribers gave me a laugh lol.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Ha ha. nice one and thanks for letting me know!

@nileriversoftware4070 2 года назад

While in ZA, you gotta call 'em slip slops!

@andyrmac7733 4 года назад

Another great battle field walk on the ZW topic , Great to see the descendant of Mbilini waMswati and good to see the sites memorial all in good order. ...Thank you for posting. You may be also interested to know RU-vidr "Ralph Astley" is putting on a wargame of Rorke's Drift during uk lockdown, im a wargamer and i thoroughlyrecommend his YT battle videos. THis one should be good also as it is 28mm and he has good figures and buildings and has researched the battle considerably. Cheers.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Hi Andy, thanks a lot for that. I'll look Ralph up. As I'll be interested to see how it looks. Keep in touch mate.

@ReformedVicar 10 месяцев назад

That mans name means Look King /Bheki Nkosi

@chriscookesuffolk 6 месяцев назад

Thanks Chris I really enjoy seeing the battlefields and learning the history.

@redcoathistory 6 месяцев назад

Cheers, Chris. Glad you enjoyed this.

@wc9109 Год назад

Chris, how are you? Just catching up on your channel, keep safe Bunny

@redcoathistory Год назад

Hi mate - lovely to hear from you. All is good with me, hope you well and keeping safe mate

@99IronDuke 4 года назад

I hope you are going to do Hlobane and the Devil's pass on film?

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Hi - would love to one day - access is bit of.a problem tho as it seems you neeed a 4x4.

@stephenchurch3031 4 года назад

Excellent History lesson. Been reading about the Anglo Zulu campaign since childhood and great to see you walking the viewer through the very places i have read about for so long.. Just the names of the soldiers and places brings it to life..thanks and i hope to see more.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Thanks Stephen!

@marklongman6882 3 года назад

Great video and explanation of the events and what a gem to meet an ancestor of one of the warriors and to hear him speak about them.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Cheers Mark - yes I was lucky to meet such a great guy.

@rrichardloring6717 3 года назад

Cant that sort out the wind sound...

@tommiatkins3443 3 года назад

"for the thousands of female fans who subscribe to this channel, I'm in shorts today" Brilliant! 😁

@jamesclayton3388 2 года назад

A great video. As a Welshmen we in Wales have always been very proud of the Welsh soldiers who served at Rawkes Drift.

@idriselba7994 2 года назад

As a Zulu we in SA have always been very proud of the Zulus who annihalated those soldiers.

@robertcottam9000 Год назад

@@idriselba7994 Not at Rorke's Drift. One company of the 24th (Warwickshire) Regiment fought off the Zulus, inflicting a huge number of casualties. But I'm not sure one hundred and forty odd years later it's something to be 'proud' of. Best wishes.

@josephphoenix1376 Год назад

Excellent Episode 👍

@ronlane4311 Год назад

There should have assigned an older ,more experienced officer, a Sgt Major, and a couple og MCO's to watch over the Prience.

@redcoathistory Год назад

Hi Ron - which Prince are you referring to mate?

@ronlane4311 Год назад

The French one killed by the Zulus.

@redcoathistory Год назад

@@ronlane4311 Different place that mate, different time. This film is about the battle of Ntombe Drift. Hope you enjoyed it. 👍

@gerryhughes3957 5 лет назад

Love these videos of the Anglo - Zulu war, more please.

@redcoathistory 5 лет назад

Cheers Gerry - I've got another coming up about the battle of Kambula - I just need to find the time to edit it...

@gerryhughes3957 5 лет назад

Redcoat: British military history, can’t wait, could watch these for hours. Thank you for the videos.

@hammerqos 4 года назад

Love your videos on the Zulu Wars. Especially the background of these battles I didnt know about 👍

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Glad you like them!

@hammerqos 4 года назад

@@redcoathistory I loved the film Zulu as a young boy . I always thought of the bravery of the Zulu warriors charging into a sea of bullets . On the other side of the coin, I always thought of what was going through the redcoats minds as the saw that huge black mass appearing over the hillside squaring up to them. Keep up the good work.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

@@hammerqos Yes two groups of brave warriors - face to face.

@idriselba7994 2 года назад

Stay out of zulu land

@Michael-ws7rc 11 месяцев назад

What a great video thanks for what you do friend!

@redcoathistory 11 месяцев назад

Thanks for the nice comment. Much appreciated.

@soidog659 2 года назад

Very good. I lived in and around that area of KwaZulu-Natal.

@iantunmer7987 5 лет назад

Excellent video, just in time for the 140th anniversary of the battle. This battle does get overlooked in comparison with the larger battles of the Zulu war, in that you often find the battle only mentioned for a scant few pages in books on the Zulu war. Thanks again for the video very interesting seeing this battlefield.

@iantunmer7987 5 лет назад

You may already have this but a good book to have is the Field Guide to the Battlefields of South Africa by Nicki Von Der Heyde. It tells you exactly how to get to the major battlefields around South Africa and may save you spending time finding out where the battlefield is.

@redcoathistory 5 лет назад

@@iantunmer7987 Hi Ian - great to hear from you. I don't have that book but will look it up thanks! By the way I'm curerntly writing a podcast series about the war - if you think that's your cup of tea let me know. I'll post videos about here once it's ready to be released.

@iantunmer7987 5 лет назад

@@redcoathistory Hi thank you for your reply, yes a podcast on the war does indeed sound very interesting. Do you reckon possibly as well doing one on the Matabele wars of the 1890's at some point, as there are some interesting stories there as well.

@michaelbrown9282 4 месяца назад

Any chance of a Hlobane visit?

@redcoathistory 4 месяца назад

Defintely - but not sure when as access is really difficult. A 4x4 is needed and a guide who really knows their way around. . . .Hopefully one day.

@johnedreslin 4 года назад

Too bad some of the commentary gets lost because of the sound of the wind.

@alanpearson7554 3 года назад

I recommend "The Washing of the Spears" by Donald Morris, gives a good description of all battles and an excellent history of the Zulu people.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Thanks for the tip. A lot of people criticize it as very outdated. I haven't read it yet though I will eventually. Interestingly, I don't think he had ever visited South Africa when he wrote it.

@peterrooke5336 3 года назад

Looking for battle sites and graves , I know how you feel 👍 my friend and I was looking for the loop in the river Tugela where the Irish brigade got shot to pieces in the Boer war near colenso . Had a trying time with cows and barbed wire but we finally found it . Off topic I know but your footage reminded me of it . Excellent vid by the way 👍as always

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Thanks a lot, Peter. I am hoping to visit Colenso next year.

@lkgreenwell 2 года назад

I am intrigued to see the Sealed Knot, my own background, and the symbol of my grandfather’s regiment, on the war memorial

@redcoathistory 2 года назад

Hi. Yes it is the Staffordshire regiment badge

@kenwbrenner 4 года назад

Hi. Another well made documentary (research, photography, narration, etc.). I'm impressed with how you were able to take this "smaller" battle and make it as interesting as the more notable ones. Look forward to viewing more.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Ken Brenner thanks a lot / appreciate the feedback. I hope you enjoy some of the other videos also 👍🏼

@Swisswoods 3 года назад

I have read a great many books on this little part of history, but your videos walking and standing on the very places described in those texts puts them all into a completely different and very human perspective. Again, as a previous comment, but really very well done and much appreciated. C

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Thanks a lot - I'm really pleased to hear that.

@alonsocushing2263 3 года назад

Another example of how things can go pear-shaped if you don't have well manned picquet posts strung out at a bit of a distance as an early warning.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Very much so.

@richards6368 5 лет назад

Out of interest, do you guide tours ? Or are you interested in history ?

@redcoathistory 5 лет назад

Hi Richard, for now I am just an interested amateur but I do live in South Africa and one day may consider guiding. Do you think it would be a good move?

@richards6368 5 лет назад

@@redcoathistory Yeah 100% do it :)

@edmundrabe 3 года назад

Great video! I'm a descendant of the owner of the abandoned farmhouse where the English made their stand (he was holed up in the laager at Luneburg with the rest of the local German farming community).

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Thanks Edmund - any chance you could send me a location on a map? If so drop me a line please - redcoathistory@gmail.com - I'd be very grateful.

@pkfarnham 5 лет назад

Excellent - thank you!

@redcoathistory 5 лет назад

Thanks Paul.

@The_OneManCrowd 2 года назад

Great video man really enjoyed it. As did your thousands of female subscribers lol 😆

@redcoathistory 2 года назад

Yes. I'll be honest mate - I'm struggling to keep up with all the marriage proposals!

@SymptomoftheTimes Год назад

Excellent telling. 🎉

@redcoathistory Год назад

Many thanks.

@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134 4 года назад

Funny ladies fan part: nice video.

@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134 4 года назад

Funny wagon part too: what are umbalinis. I know what impi is.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Noah Gibson hi Noah. Thanks. Mbelini was the local Zulu commmander (Who was actually from the neighbouring Swazi tribe but had defected).

@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134 4 года назад

@@redcoathistory Thanks.

@michaelmuir4548 3 года назад

Great video again thank you. Makes me want to visit all these places and reflect on what happened at each of them. Excellent work.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Cheers Michael - Ntombe drift is a wonderful spot to visit.

@macdansav1546 3 года назад

Another brilliant post. Thank you very much.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it.

@richardjones8699 3 года назад

Very watchable stuff 👍

@stevebuk100 4 года назад

Just a shame about the mic, you need a cover to stop the wind

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Cheers Steve

@priyer74 4 года назад

The Indian mutiny that you mention at 1:06 is actually the first war of independence of India against the british

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Prakash Iyer yes correct - it has different names. Thanks for watching.

@ianknight2053 4 года назад

Very interesting videos, thank you.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

Is that really you, Sir? I am honoured. I guess, like most of the world you are currently housebound. I hope you enjoyed your recent visit to SA and I'm sorry we didn't get to mett. But keep in touch and we will make it happen once the world hopefully returns to normal.

@ianknight2053 4 года назад

Redcoat: British military history Hello, I’m very sorry to disappoint you but I’m not that Ian Knight. Just another one interested in the same sort of stuff.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

@@ianknight2053 Ha ha I thought you were "that" Ian Knight :-) Either way thanks for your comment

@johncross2787 4 года назад

You should get hold of the History Channel and offer to do a series. They could sponsor you a suitable vehicle (Land Rover UK/SA might be worth chatting to.) to enable you to better access some of these sites.

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

John Cross that’s a great thought John but I suspect I’m not young and funky enough to get a sponsorship deal...maybe if I get a million subscribers it might work! 🤞🏻

@johncross2787 4 года назад

@@redcoathistory Don't be so sure, you have your clips to show what you are capable of producing on limited budget to show History Channel and the concept of outdoor adventure would appeal to LR who launched the Defender ( how appropriate to is that name?!) just before lockdown so it hasn't had the publicity.

@nucleargaz1 2 года назад

Great work fella, you are a knowledgable and easy to listen to guy.

@redcoathistory 2 года назад

Glad you think so!

@michaelewert8310 3 года назад

Have you ever considered retracing the events of Market Garden from WW11. If you have I'm sorry I missed this.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Hi there - I'll be honest WW2 isn't a focus of mine, though obviously if I ever had the chance to visit I'd love to! Maybe one day...

@michaelewert8310 3 года назад

@@redcoathistory Thanks for the reply. Your descriptions of the events during the Zulu War are very informative and colorful.

@slypen7450 4 года назад

Zulu cows?

@sonora_rey 3 года назад

Intriguing history! uSuthu.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

uSuthu! Nice one mfowethu.

@mziwethumbotho3354 3 года назад

South Africa is indeed beautiful

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

defintely is

@CircleP 5 лет назад

Umbellini (so?) was a free booster wasn’t he?

@redcoathistory 5 лет назад

Hi, apologies but I don't really understand your question.

@jessejames1804 3 года назад

Thank you very well done.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Cheers, Jesse. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

@bernardjay379 3 года назад

Brilliant and enlightening.

@redcoathistory 3 года назад

Thanks Bernard

@bryanhurd9955 4 года назад

Site well kept,many here are not now

@redcoathistory 4 года назад

bryan hurd sadly it has been damaged in recent months / presumably by local relic hunters. A real shame but also a sad reality of the tough economic situation here.

@bryanhurd9955 4 года назад

@@redcoathistory I live here,these desecrations have been going on for years a lot of it wilful, very sorry to have to say that.