Chapter 330: Retreat
As the East African army closed in, the distance between the two forces was reduced to about 500 meters. Wiggins was waiting for the East African army to enter their musket range, but the East Africans didn't give him that chance. The Dreiser rifles used by the East Africans had a longer effective range, and they opened fire at 500 meters.
With the command to fire, the East African Army unleashed a sudden attack, the sound of Dreiser rifles breaking the tense silence on the battlefield.
However, the Ndebele forces were caught off guard by the East African volley. The initial shots took down some Ndebele soldiers, leading to panic and confusion. Even the Ndebele soldiers in the second row inadvertently fired at their own comrades.
Wiggins, trying to regain control, shouted to Lobengula to stop shooting, realizing that their muskets couldn't reach the East Africans effectively.
Lobengula was furious, questioning Wiggins about the supposed plan to defeat the East Africans with muskets. Wiggins explained that there was a problem with the East African army's equipment, as they likely had more advanced weapons from Europe.
In desperation, Lobengula decided not to retreat and ordered the entire Ndebele army to charge forward with muskets, hoping to overwhelm the East Africans with sheer numbers in close combat.
The East African artillery continued to shell the Ndebele camp, further diminishing their will to fight. However, Lobengula's personal charge and leadership temporarily boosted Ndebele morale, and they followed their king into battle.
The East African army recognized the Ndebele's intentions and prepared their cavalry for action. The East African cavalry, equipped with Dreiser carbines and East African straight knives, moved out.
The East African straight knives were inspired by Ernst's personal preference and had become the favored weapon of the East African cavalry. They proved effective in capturing indigenous laborers without causing severe harm.
The East African cavalry charged into the Ndebele ranks, their straight knives flashing in the sun. The impact of the horses, combined with the precision of the cavalry, caused casualties among the Ndebele fighters.
Lobengula narrowly avoided a straight knife but was trampled by a horse, losing consciousness due to the impact. The Ndebele fighters were in disarray, and the charge of the East African cavalry disrupted their attack.
Witt ordered the East African cavalry to attack from all sides, and the East African infantry joined the battle. The battlefield turned into a brutal slaughter, with blood, gunpowder, and dust filling the air.
Meanwhile, Wiggins and a few Boer instructors, seizing an opportunity when the Ndebele were distracted, sneaked away from the battlefield toward the west.
Realizing the futility of the Ndebele resistance, Wiggins decided to flee, leaving the Ndebele behind. He directed his group to retrieve their horses stored in Bulawayo's residence and planned to head west, then southwest, eventually returning to the Transvaal.
The battle raged on as the Ndebele Kingdom faced a dire situation.
(End of this chapter)