Battle of Hlobane
Hlobane mountain, near Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
What happened
British mounted troops under Colonel Evelyn Wood and Lieutenant-Colonel Redvers Buller fought Zulu forces, including the abaQulusi, with leaders such as Mbilini waMswati. In the Anglo-Zulu War, British horsemen climbed the flat-topped Hlobane mountain to capture cattle from the abaQulusi. Then they saw the main Zulu army approaching earlier than expected. The British had to escape down a steep path known as Devil's Pass under attack, and rode back to their fort at Kambula with many losses.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a Zulu victory. But the next day the Zulu army attacked the British fort at Kambula and was defeated there.
What came next
The British won at Kambula on 29 March 1879. The war ended with the British victory at Ulundi on 4 July 1879, and the Zulu kingdom was divided.
Did you know?
A British trooper captured after the battle was taken to King Cetshwayo, who released him unharmed.
Timeline
- 11 January 1879British forces invade the Zulu kingdom.
- 22 January 1879The Zulu army wins at Isandlwana.
- 28 March 1879The Zulu win at Hlobane.
- 29 March 1879The British win at Kambula.
- 4 July 1879The British win at Ulundi.