Battle of Gingindlovu Traditional Cache
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The battle of Gingindlovu was one of the battles of the Zulu War of 1879. It took place on 2 April 1879 and formed part of the battles fought in the so-called second invasion.
After the defeat of the British forces at Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift, Lord Chelmsford had to change his plans. He withdrew to Pietermaritzburg and worked out a plan of attack on the Zulu capital, Ulundi. This involved two British forces, one moving from the Natal midlands towards Ulundi and the other force moving up from Fort Pearson along the coastal route. His immediate aim was to relieve Eshowe, which was under Zulu siege.
On route they came to Gingindlovu, a royal kraal, which King Cetshewayo had established after having defeated his rival brothers at the Battle of Ndondakusuka in 1856. Lord Chelmsford, with a force of 3 390 white soldiers, 2 280 black levies and 122 wagons carrying supplies, proceeded with extreme caution. Large parties of Zulus were seen in the vicinity and he took no chances. Establishing a defence laager consisting of earth walls and barricaded with wagons mounted on the walls he awaited the Zulu onslaught. This took place the following day when the Zulu general Dabulamanzi spearheaded a Zulu attack of some 10 000 men and surrounded the British stronghold.
The Zulu attack was completely futile. In the forty minutes that the battle lasted the Zulus suffered 1 200 casualties; the British casualties being nine killed and fifty-two wounded.
All that remains today are the war graves at a site that is sadly neglected.
This cache is placed at the Battle of Gingindlovu war graves site. It is not necessary to enter the graveyard to find the cache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pbeare bs srapr.
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