UNITS OF THE ZULU WAR 1879
HALES ROCKETS
Zulu Dawn - Maj Russels Rocket BatteryThe Napoleonic stick rocket was replaced in 1867 by the Hale rocket. William Hale had sold his rockets to the United States who used them during the civil war before the British army took it on. The 9-pdr rocket spun in the air thanks to three vents at the rear of the rocket. It was launched from a metal trough but could still be very inaccurate. At Isandlwana Major Russel attached to Durnfords no.2 column operated three rocket troughs maned by eight infantryman from the 24th regiment. They were caught out in the open and managed to fire a single rocket before being over run and wiped out by the fast moving Zulus.
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