UNITS OF THE ZULU WAR 1879
17th Lancers
The 17th Laners were one of the few cavalry units not made up of local volunteers to fight in Zululand. At the battle of Ulundi they swept away the retreating zulus after they failed to break the British square. The painting above shows them incorrectly with white tunic fronts. In reality they were reversed in an attempt to not stand out so much. Their lancers were made from bamboo. My brother served with the 16th lancers in Afghanistan when he looked about 12. Of course now they ride armoured vehicles.
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