The Shangani Patrol ( or Wilson 's Patrol ) was a 34-soldier unit of the British South Africa Company that in 1893 was ambushed Attack and annihilated Killing by more than 3,000 Matabele warriors in Rhodesia ( now Zimbabwe ) , during the First Matabele War .

Headed by Major Allan Wilson , the patrol was attacked Attack just north of the Shangani River in Matabeleland , Rhodesia .

Scouting ahead of Major Patrick Forbes 's column attempting the capture of the Matabele King Lobengula ( following Self_motion his flight from his capital Bulawayo a month before ) , it crossed Motion_directional the Shangani late on 3 December 1893 .

However , the Shangani had risen Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale significantly in flood Motion , and Forbes was himself involved Participation in a skirmish near the southern bank ; Wilson and his men therefore remained isolated to the north .

A historical war film depicting Statement the episode , `` Shangani Patrol '' , was produced Manufacturing and released Publishing in 1970 .