Rorkes drift 1879 pinned like rats in a hole by ian knight, campaign series 41, osprey military. Having just read brutal valour the tragedy of isandlwana. The battle of rorkes drift, also known as the defence of rorkes drift, was an engagement in laband, in his book the zulu response to the british invasion of, accepts the estimate of that shepstone had from the zulus. At the time of this battle, rorkes drift was nothing but a small farming community which was being used as the mission command by the british 1. The battle of rorkes drift, 22nd 23rd january 1879 british forces invaded zululand on 11 january 1879.
Roll call men killed in action and survivors of isandhlwana and rorkes drift. In ever since first seeing zulu as a child it has been my favourite film, and i have found the story of the defence of rorkes drift fascinating. One of their most notable battles was the battle of rorkes drift. The battle occurred on the same day as the british defeat at the battle of isandlhwana on 22 january, 1879. Today, rorkes drift is the centre of a cottage industry of history books, documentaries, novels, models and video games. The battle at rorkes drift is text book study on courage,perserverance and heroism. Battles of isandlwana and rorkes drift south african. The book does credit to some of the characters henry hook comes to mind.
A new perspective and millions of other books are available for. He ordered the men to erect a wall of mealie bags around the mission station and to fortify the buildings with loopholes and barricades. Isandlwana 1879, rorke s drift 1879, and zulu the battle for rorke s drift, and he was the historical consultant for the history channeldiscovery channel television documentary on rorke s drift. The battle of rorkes drift the anglozulu war book 2 ebook. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. During the morning of 22 january, reports began to reach major spalding, the officer commanding rorkes drift, that zulus had been seen in the vicinity of isandlwana.
The tragedy of isandlwana, tells the story of the brave stand made during that battle, it is also a story of incompetance and poor leadership. The action in this second book of the series covering the anglo zulu war, begins almost immediately and never lets up. Battle of rourkes drift the battle of rourkes drift zulu war. Rorkes drift timeline anglo zulu war historical society. The battle of rorke s drift, is a real page turner that is truly hard to put down. Astonishing drawings capturing bloody aftermath of rorkes drift.
Feel free to recommend general history books as well as detailed studies of isandlwana and rorkes driftor other interesting battles from the zulu war. Rorkes drift battle was war crime scene world news the. Jan 20, 2017 the order of battle is inspired on the book. In response to the death of several colonists at the hands of the zulus, south african authorities issued an ultimatum to the zulu king cetshwayo requiring that the perpetrators be turned over for punishment. It is possible to stay at his hotel and have a guided tour of the battle fields. I had a personal zulu guide, and had time to visit the church, burial sites and museum. It shows how 150 british soldiers, many of whom were sick and wounded patients in a field hospital, successfully held off a force of 4,000 zulu warriors. The book covers the lead up to this battle, the preceding disaster, rorkes drift and the outcome. I visited rorkes drift on a private tour from durban, and had soul access to the site for 3 hours. Warlords games rorkes drift, box opening for a freind. This roll is compiled from research undertaken by julian whybra and norman holme and is largely based on the chard and bourne rolls. The battle of rorkes drift, is a real page turner that is truly hard to put down. The defence of the mission station of rorke s drift, under the command of lieutenant john chard of the royal engineers, immediately followed the british army s defeat at the battle of isandlwana on 22 january 1879, and continued into the following day, 23 january. While three columns of british soldiers and their african allies cross the umzinyathi river to commence the invasion of the zulu kingdom, a handful of redcoats from b company, 224th regiment are left to guard the centre columns supply depot at rorkes drift.
He has made a detail study of the zulu war of 1879 and the battles of isandlwana and rorkes drift. Pinned like rats in a hole campaign only 5 left in stock more on the way. The successful defence of the mission station of rorkes drift, under the command of lieutenants john chard of the royal engineers and gonville bromhead, followed britains defeat at the battle. This book provides a useful view of the people and events that took place at the battle for rorkes drift. Isandlwana 1879, rorkes drift 1879, and zulu the battle for rorkes drift, and he was the historical consultant for the history channeldiscovery channel television documentary on rorkes drift. The battle of rorkes drift is established in history as one of britains most. Macdowel had already left with chelmsford so chard was instructed to return to rorkes drift, he breakfasted at the officers mess of the 124th regiment before returning. The battle of rorkes drift, also known as the defence of rorkes drift, was an engagement in the anglozulu war. Crucible of honour the battle of rorkes drift is again a brilliant account of the battle.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The battle for rorke s drift 1879 revisits the famous clash in a short history for the publisher s battle story series. The battle of rorke s drift, also known as the defence of rorke s drift, was an engagement in the anglozulu war. More info book now douglas rattray the battle of isandlwana. At rorke s drift, eleven victoria crosses were awarded. Some 150 british and colonial troops fought a valiant and successful defence against an intense assault by 3,000 to 4,000 zulu warriors.
Feb 08, 2017 28 mm rorkes drift, warlords game box set. Biographical notes on the soldiers of the 24th foot who were present at isandhlwana and rorkes drift 2223 january 1879 are contained in both the roll call for isandhlwana and rorkes drift by julian whybra, published by roberts medals publications and the. Back in january the beasts of war crew gathered together under the beating heat of the coleraine sun well the studio lights atleast to recreate the battle of rorkes drift the battle at this small missionary outpost immediately followed the british armys defeat at the battle of isandlwana on 22 january 1879, and continued into the following day, 23 january. So it seems appropriate to reproduce the vintage magazines article, a day in the life of lt john chard, royal engineers 22 january 1879. The zulus, who knew rorke and had dealings with him, referred to rorkes drift as kwajimu, meaning jims place. In ever since first seeing zulu as a child it has been my favourite film, and i have found the story of.
Queen victoria and her empire had reason to celebrate. More victoria crosses 11 were awarded to the troops at rorkes drift than at any other single battle by the british army. Jun 29, 2012 on the same day in history, british forces also pulled off a rearguard stunning victory at the battle of rorke s drift, where 110 men defended a hospital post against 3,0004,000 zulus. The battle of rorkes drift took place in the anglozulu war. Zulu is a 1964 british epic war film depicting the battle of rorkes drift between the british army and the zulus in january 1879, during the anglozulu war. British forces invaded zululand on 11 january 1879. It shows that the move, zulu, aside from being generally correct, when it comes to the participants is wholly a work of fiction. The battle of rorkes drift fully deserves its elevated status in the annals of british military history, if only as one of the most heroically fought and efficiently conducted smallscale military actions of the last 100odd years. Aided by commissary dalton and lieutenant gonville bromhead, the former garrison commander, chard soon transformed rorkes drift into a defendable position. The true story of the battle of rorkes drift not a lot. Rorkes drift battle was war crime scene world news. Seven to the 2nd battalion, 24th 2nd warwickshire regiment of foot, one to the army medical department, one to the royal engineers, one to the commissariat and transport department and one to the natal native contingent.
Biographical notes on the soldiers of the 24th foot who were present at isandhlwana and rorke s drift 2223 january 1879 are contained in both the roll call for isandhlwana and rorke s drift by julian whybra, published by roberts medals publications and the noble 24th by norman holme, published in 1999 and obtainable from the south wales. This action was at rorkes drift, wednesday 22 thursday 23 january, 1879, when some 150 soldiers defended a supply station against some 4000 zulus, aided by the martinihenry rifle with some guts behind it since the victoria cross was instigated by queen victoria in 1856, only 58 have been awarded the double awards for arthur martinleake, charles hazlitt upham and noel godfrey. Tmp isandlwana and rorkes driftbook recommendations. A roleplay game introduced to iron gear studio from syrian bear studio after catherineroten authorized it to be moved. Jan 28, 2012 the battle occurred on the same day as the british defeat at the battle of isandlhwana on 22 january, 1879. Chard and his men transformed rorkes drift into a bastion. Victory point games zulus on the ramparts deluxe edition unboxing the players aid duration. The successful defence of rorke s drift, which immediately followed the encounter at isandlwana and for which 11 victoria crosses were awarded, averted military disaster and went some way to restore wounded british pride, but the sobering memory of defeat at isandlwana lingered for many years, while the legendary tale of the defence of rorke. The successful defence of the mission station of rorke s drift, under the command of lieutenants john chard of the royal engineers and gonville bromhead, began when a large contingent of zulu warriors broke off from their main force during the final hour of the british defeat at the. The hospital at the western end of the fortifications became the focus for the fighting. Rorkes drift sequence of events 8am lieutenant chard rode to isandlwana to confer with the senior royal engineer officer lieutenant macdowel re and to ascertain his orders. Isandlhwana is one of the most inexplicanble british defeats, it is difficult to explain how over 1,000 rifle armed soldiers in a good defensive position were defeated by spear armed native warriors while rorkes drift is the opposite.
Rorkes drift is located on the tugela river in modern day natal province, south africa. Not so at rorkes drift where leadership and bravery were of the highest order, and although 11 victoria crosses were awarded, the highest number for any. Rorkes drift, 1879 the highest number of victoria crosses. Battle of rorkes drift on 22nd january 1879 in the zulu war. I vaguely recall seeing the movie a bunch of years ago, and another book about the siege of the red fort during indias rebellion got me reinterested in similar battles and events. After their victory at isandlwana the zulus attacked rorke. I had lunch there in the small restaurant and the food and service were both very good. The victory of 140 british soldiers over 4000 zulu warriors, yorke argues, was a particularly ably and heroically fought battle from a purely military perspective. Apr 28, 2003 more victoria crosses 11 were awarded to the troops at rorke s drift than at any other single battle by the british army. As many men were extracted as possible, the remaining patients perishing in the flames. The battle for rorkes drift 1879 revisits the famous clash in a short history for the publishers battle story series. If you continue to use the site, well assume youre happy with this. Set on fire and stormed by the zulus, it became untenable.
A huge force of zulus attacked a small british garrison, but was eventually repelled after more than 12 hours of bitter fighting. Charles aikenhead is an ex irish guards officer who has built a small hotel just above, and only 150 yards from, rorkes drift in kwa zulunatal. In december 1878 sir bartle frere, the british high commissioner for south africa, issued an ultimatum to cetshwayo, the zulu king, that was designed to be impossible to. The defence of the mission station of rorkes drift, under the command of lieutenant john chard of the royal engineers, immediately followed the british armys defeat at the battle of isandlwana on 22 january 1879, and continued into the following day, 23 january. Rorkes drift owed its name to jim rorke, an irish farmer and trader who had acquired the land in 1849, on which he had built his home and accompanying storehouse. I first saw the film zulu in 1963,and still in my top five alltime favourites. Jan 22, 2012 the battle of rorkes drift it was on this day in 1879 that one of the most famous little battles in british history began at the remote mission station of rorkes drift in what is today south africa when around 150 british troops were attacked by upwards of 4,000 zulu warriors in the anglozulu war. Complete newbie here looking for book recommendations for the zulu war in general and isandlwana and rorkes drift in particular. The roll call for isandhlwana and rorkes drift book. If commemorating the battle in a london tube station is open to accusations of insensitivity, this neglected aspect of zulus reception may help to explain why. Hanson, does he just mention rorkes drift, or does he give his opinions on other battles relating to the zulu war of 1879. Oct 19, 2003 the wrong soldiers were awarded victoria cross medals after the british army s battle with the zulus at rorke s drift, while the true heroes went unrecognised, a new bbc film will claim this week. This battle took place on 2223 january 1879 during the zulu war 1879.
The battle of rorkes drift is established in history as one of britains most incredible actions where approximately 155 defenders held off a zulu force of over 4,000 warriors, in a savage, bloody conflict with no quarter given by either side. Zulu is a 1964 british epic war film depicting the battle of rorke s drift between the british army and the zulus in january 1879, during the anglozulu war. It was fifty years ago that the battle of rorkes drift was immortalised in the film zulu, on the 85th anniversary of the action. Rorkes drift by adrian greaves meet your next favorite book. The true story of the battle of rorkes drift not a lot of.
The battle of rorkes drift of 2223 january 1879 was refought in 2018 when a london underground employee wrote an account of the siege on dollis hill tube stations notice board to mark its 9th anniversary. The battle of rorkes drift, also known as the defence of rorkes drift, was an engagement in. Sep 01, 2012 this book provides a useful view of the people and events that took place at the battle for rorkes drift. Within hours, however, the message had been erased with apologies following complaints that it was celebrating colonialism a decision which was itself condemned in some media. Apr 05, 2017 the battle at this small missionary outpost immediately followed the british armys defeat at the battle of isandlwana on 22 january 1879, and continued into the following day, 23 january. The wrong soldiers were awarded victoria cross medals after the british armys battle with the zulus at rorkes drift, while the true heroes went unrecognised, a new bbc film will claim this week. The roll call for isandhlwana and rorkes drift book, 1990. This book is more of an academic text than a novel. Below is a list of books relating to rorkes drift, isandhlwana, the anglo zulu war of 1879 and historic south africa.
Lieutenant chards famous drawing of the rorkes drift battle, showing the main thrusts of the zulu attack. As usual, james mace turns true history into a series of stories that make both the heroes and the victims come alive. The battle of rorkes drift it was on this day in 1879 that one of the most famous little battles in british history began at the remote mission station of rorkes drift in what is today south africa when around 150 british troops were attacked by upwards of 4,000 zulu warriors in the anglozulu war. Laband, in his book the zulu response to the british invasion of 1879, accepts the estimate of 600 that shepstone had from the zulus. The battle of rorke s drift is established in history as one of britain s most incredible actions where approximately 155 defenders held off a zulu force of over 4,000 warriors, in a savage, bloody conflict with no quarter given by either side. Battle of isandlwana rorkes drift great military battles. Battle of rourkes drift the battle of rourkes drift.
John laband has long been the accepted authority on anglozulu war studies and his new work, the fall of rorkes drift, is proof of his. The battle of rorkes drift was fought on the same day, 22 january 1879, as the nearby battle of isandlwana, where the british army suffered the most humiliating defeat in its history against a native military force, fighting the zulu army of king cetshwayo after the central column of major general lord chelmsford had crossed the mzinyathi river in its invasion of zululand, it was on its way. Whilst the film was not a documentary and for the sake of a good story the historical facts may have been. The battle of rorke s drift, also known as the defence of rorke s drift, was a battle in the anglozulu war. But that image of valour and nobility in the anglozulu war of 1879. After a number of unsuccessful attacks in the 11hour battle, the zulus were finally forced to withdraw. Its one of the millions of unique, usergenerated 3d experiences created on roblox.
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