Heupel X's and O's

[London Vol]

Well, here's hoping the Victor Oscar Lima Siera's can have many Tango Delta Zulus.

I like that

 

[SpookyAction]

Heupel's X's and O's, they haunt me.

Made me laugh out loud.
Thank you.

 

[SpookyAction]

One more point regarding Zulu, Only the British could think that a Uniform color scheme of bright Red and White would be suitable for the terrain of South Africa

The color scheme was eye-catching, but that was the point.

The tactics of the time placed far more emphasis on seeing your own units to aid in coordinated battlefield maneuver in a very smoky battlefield. Remember most battlefield orders will be given by drum. The British army emphasized the visual element more than the armies of other nations. Even artillery is still a visual exercise in the Zulu Wars.
Since everyone was using black gunpowder, it was considered most important to know where your own units were in relation to their own position.

Until the advent of machine guns later in the 19th, hiding from the enemy was a secondary tactical concern.

Those Zulu battles were fought with Mk2 Martini-Henry (single shot, breechloader with 12 shots per minute rate of fire, [sounds high to me for a single shot action]) lever action rifles using .450/.577, basically a .450 brass cartridge with a .577 rim, so ammo could be compatible with older rifles firing .577s!!! (these rifles must have torn men apart when hit) ((the 5-shot Harston Magazine from the Boer War [loaded then inserted into the breech] was not invented until after 1888, and added a couple of decades to the life of the rifle in the army)).

The Harston Martini-Henry Magazine - definitely worth a look. I didn't know anything about the truly innovative magazine making it a multi-shot rifle a decade after the Zulu Wars.

They were definitely accurate. Sighted for 1800yds (for massed volley fire), accurate to within 2ft at 1200yds. Each infantry soldier carried 40 rounds in two front ammo pouches and maybe 10 more in their haversack. With the rifles' rate of fire, I imagine a soldier could go through their personal ammo quickly.


As far as the worst uniforms in history, I nominate the Spanish Legion.
I'm not posting them. You can google them. They are not very practical looking.

 

[London Vol]

The color scheme was eye-catching, but that was the point.

The tactics of the time placed far more emphasis on seeing your own units to aid in coordinated battlefield maneuver in a very smoky battlefield. Remember most battlefield orders will be given by drum. The British army emphasized the visual element more than the armies of other nations. Even artillery is still a visual exercise in the Zulu Wars.
Since everyone was using black gunpowder, it was considered most important to know where your own units were in relation to their own position.

Until the advent of machine guns later in the 19th, hiding from the enemy was a secondary tactical concern.

Those Zulu battles were fought with Mk2 Martini-Henry (single shot, breechloader with 12 shots per minute rate of fire, [sounds high to me for a single shot action]) lever action rifles using .450/.577, basically a .450 brass cartridge with a .577 rim, so ammo could be compatible with older rifles firing .577s!!! (these rifles must have torn men apart when hit) ((the 5-shot Harston Magazine from the Boer War [loaded then inserted into the breech] was not invented until after 1888, and added a couple of decades to the life of the rifle in the army)).

The Harston Martini-Henry Magazine - definitely worth a look. I didn't know anything about the truly innovative magazine making it a multi-shot rifle a decade after the Zulu Wars.

They were definitely accurate. Sighted for 1800yds (for massed volley fire), accurate to within 2ft at 1200yds. Each infantry soldier carried 40 rounds in two front ammo pouches and maybe 10 more in their haversack. With the rifles' rate of fire, I imagine a soldier could go through their personal ammo quickly.


As far as the worst uniforms in history, I nominate the Spanish Legion.
I'm not posting them. You can google them. They are not very practical looking.

I bow to you sir.

 

[SpookyAction]

I bow to you sir.

No. no.
I used to teach military history.
I think if the Zulu War had been fought a few years earlier, the British regiments would probably have been annihilated because of their muzzle loading rifles.

The red wool uniforms were certainly distinctive and an interesting topic.

It is funny the Generals didn't seem more bothered by the impracticality of wool in the tropics. There was a transition tunic that was red cotton. A British force was ordered to wear red in one battle in Africa as psychological tactic, letting the enemy know the "real" British were facing them.

I remember thinking those Army tunics must have been ubiquitous in antique shops or surplus stores in the UK in the 1960s, when so many British rock stars were wearing them in the late 60s. There were pics of Keith Richards and others wearing several of them as stage costume in his autobiography.

 

[London Vol]

No. no.
I used to teach military history.
I think if the Zulu War had been fought a few years earlier, the British regiments would probably have been annihilated because of their muzzle loading rifles.

The red wool uniforms were certainly distinctive and an interesting topic.

It is funny the Generals didn't seem more bothered by the impracticality of wool in the tropics. There was a transition tunic that was red cotton. A British force was ordered to wear red in one battle in Africa as psychological tactic, letting the enemy know the "real" British were facing them.

I remember thinking those Army tunics must have been ubiquitous in antique shops or surplus stores in the UK in the 1960s, when so many British rock stars were wearing them in the late 60s. There were pics of Keith Richards and others wearing several of them as stage costume in his autobiography.

Great post. Ive really enjoyed soaking up your knowledge

One small anecdote to the battle of Isandlwana, our leader was a Lord Chelmsford and I live only 8 miles from a town called Chelmsford.

 

[ftsandersvol]

It's sad that there are native-born Tennesseans who don't have the Volunteer spirit that London Vol has halfway around the world.

 

[London Vol]

It's sad that there are native-born Tennesseans who don't have the Volunteer spirit that London Vol has halfway around the world.

That is very kind, but there are only two types of people in this world, those who love the Vols and those who are yet to discover the Vols

p.s. only 21 days before I will see (god willing) the Pride of the Southland Band in London, for the 1st time.

GBO

 

[UTgrad2015]

Bro what do we have to do to get you to a game in Knoxville @London Vol

 

[London Vol]

Bro what do we have to do to get you to a game in Knoxville @London Vol

Oh in truth, the price of flights, accommodation and tickets for the four of us are a bit above our budget but we are saving and I also hope the website might bring in some advertising, so hopefully one day. But trust me I am there EVERY GAME.

Go Vols.

 

[ftsandersvol]

Bro what do we have to do to get you to a game in Knoxville @London Vol

I don't contribute to much, but this is something I could get behind.

 

[pimo1]

I rarely begin a thread, but our British friend London Vol posted this on his site. It's amazing this Vol fan (who's never been to Knoxville nor seen Tennesee play a game in person) has the acumen & has really studied Coach Josh Heupel's game strategy. You folks with more knowledge & experience than me can make more of it, but it's fascinating.
Xs and Os - A View From Big Ben

I think we need to support this guy. He is a long-time, quality poster. A true VFL. I have bookmarked his page and will be following the news there. I am so tired of the nutjob FanATIC sites and channels.

 

[London Vol]

I don't contribute to much, but this is something I could get behind.

No, no, no I am really moved by your comments but it was not an attempt for anything like that. The only thing I will accept are your kind words.. We will get there one day. But thank you anyway.

 

[London Vol]

What I will do though, to give you guys a big laugh, is to take some photos of me on June 30 with the Pride of the Southland Band in London and post them on the website. Once you see me you will never again admit to knowing me

 

[London Vol]

I think we need to support this guy. He is a long-time, quality poster. A true VFL. I have bookmarked his page and will be following the news there. I am so tired of the nutjob FanATIC sites and channels.

On your first point please see #38 and on the second point it is very appreciated that you like my "ramblings"

 

[ftsandersvol]

No, no, no I am really moved by your comments but it was not an attempt for anything like that. The only thing I will accept are your kind words.. We will get there one day. But thank you anyway.

The thought of any type of "attempt" never even crossed my mind. You're a true volunteer. That's the beauty of bleeding orange, and what makes us the greatest fanbase in the entire world.

 

[London Vol]

The thought of any type of "attempt" never even crossed my mind. You're a true volunteer. That's the beauty of bleeding orange, and what makes us the greatest fanbase in the entire world.

Thank you

GO VOLS

 

[FLVOL_79]

I like how he calls the field the pitch

 

[Deathandtaxes]

I like the breakdown @London Vol I wanted to be a coach for years so I studied my butt off, now it’s just useless knowledge … if you are into you should look up “don’t watch the ball” on YouTube… it will help in play recognition and give you some little more detail. I think you will enjoy it.