The crash of British rifles was regular and unrelenting. As the Zulus surged forwards, many fell dead or wounded, their brothers leaping over them in their mad dash to reach the British outpost.

The British open fire as the Zulus close

As the first Zulus arrived at the redoubts, a hail of spears was thrown, injuring several British soldiers in the main redoubt. Some men previously at the Southern redoubt moved round to the Northern and Western facing redoubts, forming a complete square of defenders.

The Northern redoubt is reinforced as uVe swing round

Meanwhile, the uThulwana had reached the North-Eastern corner where Lt. Bromhead and his men continued to fire at the oncoming Zulus. Lt. Bromhead fired twice, but missed both times, cursing his luck. The Zulus howled as they launched themselves over a growing pile of dead and wounded bodies...

The uThulwana charge falters as many stragglers fail to reach the North-Eastern redoubt

But the uThulwana charge had faltered, and the number of stragglers was increasing quickly. The lead uThulwana swept Westwards hoping to reinforce the uVe who were beginning to reach the Northern redoubt.

uThulwana fail to reach the Northern redoubt

The inGobamakhosi numbers had been reduced, and their induna screamed for the advancing uNokhenke to help overwhelm the few British at this end.

The inGobamakhosi induna checks the advance of his warriors

At the Southern redoubt, the solid line of 6 Platoon, still doubled up in places, had scored heavy casualties against the approaching umCijo.

"Don't let up now boys!" called Colour Sergeant Bourne.

The umCijo cover a huge distance in their charge...

...but suffer huge casualties from the massed British firepower

Then there was a faint new crackle of rifles, from the western Oskarberg, where 10 umBonambi were taking shots at the British with their rifles, but to little effect.

Rifle-armed umBonambi use their rifles from the Western hills...

...but inflict no casualties on the well-barricaded British

The British had scored a good number of hits, but the Zulus were now upon the barricades. Smoke, sand and dust was being kicked up, and the fighting was intensifying.

Overview from the North-East at the end of turn 1