teribus - Excellent summation of the British war with the Zulus (and Boers). Bang-on. My statement about natives with modern rifles was intended as political satire, not historical fact. I suspect that the USA also has valuable resources and a strategically advantageous arrangement in certain lands in mind...just as Britain had in South Africa.

The battle of Isandlwana was an interesting case of a spectacular phyrric victory...the Zulus lost so many of their best warriors there and at Rorke's Drift immediately afterward, that it kind of tore the heart out of their army. The inevitable and final slaughter of the impis occurred later at Ulundi, where the British square mowed them down like cattle. Pathetic. But at least they had their day of glory at Isandlwana, and gave the Brits something to remember...rather like the Sioux at Little Big Horn.

- LH