Shangani Column (Lower Site)

The Salisbury and Fort Victoria columns joined together at Iron Mine hill on the morning of 16th October 1893 and advanced in parallel columns in the direction of Bulawayo; their combined strength at the Shangani River was about 1,727 men with 414 horses. This was the first battle for Lobengula’s seasoned warriors who had been urging Lobengula to attack ever since the white settlers had crossed the Shashe River in July 1890 to settle in Mashonaland. Great bravery was shown by both sides, but particularly by the amaNdebele Regiments who attacked time and time again in the face of the crushing Maxim gunfire supported by artillery. The amaNdebele showed considerable tactical skill attacking when the column was in a vulnerable position shortly after crossing the Shangani River and before dawn. Both Forbes and Wilson would have liked to march on, but the evening was closing in by the time both columns had crossed the Shangani River drifts and although the site was far from perfect; it was well-suited to the use of the Maxim guns with clear fields of fire. The amaNdebele planned to attack with a silent dawn charge, but a Shona picket fired an alarm shot as they closed in on Quested’s laager to the east. On their defeat, their leader Manonda committed suicide. (Source: Zimfieldguide.com).

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