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. This website uses cookies to give you the best possible experience. While the film is accurate in its portrayal in showing a small british garrison fending off against anywhere between 46,000 zulu warriors, it is not accurate when it comes. Minute by bloodsoaked minute, the true story of zulu. Nov 10, 2014 the battle of rorke s drift, also known as the defence of rorke s drift, was a battle in the anglozulu war. A display at the royal engineers museum in gillingham, kent, commemorates chards leadership at rorke s drift and includes the webley revolver he used in the battle. The book covers the lead up to this battle, the preceding disaster, rorke s drift and the outcome. The battle of rorkes drift took place in the anglozulu war.
Having just read brutal valour the tragedy of isandlwana. Rorkes drift a tale of heroic victory and rejection. Below is a list of books relating to rorke s drift, isandhlwana, the anglozulu war of 1879 and historic south africa. Tmp isandlwana and rorkes driftbook recommendations. On display are uniforms, medals, documents, weapons and models relating to the battle of isandlwana where british forces were defeated shortly before the heroic defence of rorkes drift. On 22nd and 23rd january 1879, i and a few comrades were on fatigue duty a short distance from the camp, burying some dead cattle when we heard the artillery firing at isandlwana and also the sound of infantry volleys. The film stars stanley baker as lieutenant john chard and a young michael caine as. Rorkes drift, 46 kilometres southeast of dundee, describes a natural crossing presented by a rocky outcrop that allows one to cross the buffalo river on foot. The landscape, made up of gently undulating hills and seemingly endless vistas, looks much less dramatic than the mountainous terrain portrayed in the movie zulu. Aug 18, 2016 in 1879, under the command of lieutenant john chard and gonville bromhead, a small company of british soldiers successfully defended the outpost at rorke s drift, a swedish hospital and church.
The defence of the mission station of rorkes drift, under the command of lieutenant john chard of the royal engineers, and lieutenant gonville bromhead immediately followed the british army s defeat at the battle of isandlwana on 22 january 1879. It also has a presenter to set the scene and finish with a conclusion. The victoria cross is a military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of the armed forces of some commonwealth countries and previous british empire territories. Crucible of honour ties in with brutal valor to bring rorke s drift into context with the battle. Ive enjoyed this 2nd book crucible of honor on the battle of rorkes drift as much if not more then the 1st book brutal valor the tragedy 0f isandlwana. What really took hold of me was the wargame notes at the end of the osprey book which suggested doing the game using 1. It shows that the move, zulu, aside from being generally correct, when it comes to the participants is wholly a work of fiction. Illustrated with previously unpublished artwork, rorke s drift a new perspective is a gripping account, which questions what is commonly believed to be the true interpretation of the hospital fighting.
George hamiltonbrowne, commandant of a unit of the na. An account of the battles of isandhlwana and rorkes drift zululand 22nd january 1879. It is possible to stay at his hotel and have a guided tour of the battle. Lieutenant chards famous drawing of the rorkes drift battle, showing the main thrusts of the zulu attack 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. Rorkes drift timeline anglo zulu war historical society. The nnc foot company can not be listed under strength or casualties, as it did not engage in the battle of rorke s drift. The wrong soldiers were awarded victoria cross medals after the british armys battle with the zulus at rorke s drift, while the true heroes went unrecognised, a new bbc film will claim this week. Warlords games rorkes drift, box opening for a freind. It occurred in 18179 during the zulu war in south africa at the mission and supply station of rorkes drift. Who could forget michael caine as the posh officer, lieutenant gonville bromhead or stanley baker as the pragmatic engineer officer, lieutenant john chard and nigel. The true story of the legendary battle between the soldier of the british empire and the warriors of the zulu kingdom. The zulu relied on friends and family to carry wounded men away from the field and bury the bodies.
Damning testimonies from british soldiers are published in a new book, zulu victory, written by two retired british officers, ron lock and peter. The battle of rorkes drift is famous, not only for the ferocious action taken by the defending officers and men, but for the recognition of their bravery by the award of eleven victoria crosses, seven of which went to the 24th regiment, the most ever awarded to one regiment for a single action. Warlords games rorke s drift, box opening for a freind robert gagne. Witt resided in the house, and converted the store into a chapel.
Dec 02, 2011 zulu, if im honest, is one of my favourite movies of all time. In 1964 zulu came to world cinemas and became, arguably, one of the greatest british war films of all time. The victoria cross vc was awarded to 23 members of the british armed forces and colonial forces for actions performed during the anglozulu war of 1879. Busting the myths of rorkes drift readinggivesmewings. Rorkes drift, 1879 the highest number of victoria crosses. The british survivors of the battle of rorkes drift, 23 january 1879. Mace, the first i heard of rorke s drift read from the movie zulu.
Sep 01, 2012 this book provides a useful view of the people and events that took place at the battle for rorkes drift. The battle of rorke s drift, also known as the defence of rorke s drift, was a battle in the anglozulu war. The garrison was defended by 9 british soldiers with c. The battle of rorkes drift, also known as the defence of rorkes drift, was an engagement in. The zulus were commanded by prince dabulamanzi kamapande. Rorkes drift photos featured images of rorkes drift. Astonishing drawings capturing bloody aftermath of rorkes. 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. Battle of rourkes drift the battle of rourkes drift zulu war. The battle at rorke s drift is text book study on courage,perserverance and heroism. Norrisnewman 1879 rorke s drift and the british museum. Those that remained on the battlefield were killed by the british and buried in mass graves.
At rorke s drift, eleven victoria crosses were awarded. If you continue to use the site, well assume youre happy with this. Highlights include an ammunition box recovered from isandlwana, the flag that flew over rorkes drift and a headdress worn by the zulu king, cetswayo. Rorke s drift restored the british publics faith in the army after the disaster of isandlwana and the battle was famously portrayed in the film zulu. Complete newbie here looking for book recommendations for the zulu war in general and isandlwana and rorkes drift in particular. A very good effort in a slender volume, at this price its corking value for money.
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. Jan 22, 2018 i sat down one night recently and read the osprey campaign book by ian knight on rorkes drift. 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. A british relief force saw the bodies on its way to rorke s drift, and it was this force which executed the zulu wounded, not the garrisons men, who were resting after the battle. Below 205 british soldiers i am not able to cover rorke. Jan 28, 2012 the 1879 battle of rorkes drift is one of the most celebrated, and smallest battles in british history. 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 armys defeat at the battle of isandlwana on 22 january 1879, and continued into the following day, 23 january. Apr 28, 2003 the garrison s heroism was no myth, but the victorians lionised rorke s drift to compensate for the debacle at nearby isandhlwana, a british camp where 20,000 zulus killed over 1,000 soldiers on. Rorkes drift battle was war crime scene world news. One might be forgiven for thinking that another addition to the current abundant literature would be pointless, but in this instance rorke s drift.
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. Rorke s drift explores the men and action at this most legendary of battles. An unassuming area where a natural crossing is formed on the buffalo river, the site of rorke s drift today is an area of rich culture and important history. Its one of the millions of unique, usergenerated 3d experiences created on roblox.
As any zulu war enthusiast will know, there is a plethora of books on the subject and especially regarding the battle of rorke s drift. Great british battles the battle of rorkes drift 22nd. Media in category battle of rorke s drift the following 31 files are in this category, out of 31 total. Apr 21, 2009 rorkes drift a tale of heroic victory and rejection. The battle of rorke s drift was a battle in the anglozulu war. Sketches of rorke s drift and zulu war immortalised in michael caine film emerge 3 years later showing aftermath of the heroic battle. The defence of the mission station of rorke s drift, under the command of lieutenant. The battle of rorkes drift the anglozulu war book 2 ebook. Their is also a section on the social and political impact the battle had on victorian society, further, the awards given to the men along with the sitations they received. 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. 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. The true story of the battle of rorkes drift not a lot. This book is more of an academic text than a novel. Rorkes drift a soldiers story with presenter major john.
The small garrison based at rorke s drift in south africa is forever immortalised in british history as one of the army s most glorious moments. This is the closest setup i got playing rorke s drift with khartoumzulu mod in napoleon total war. The action in this second book of the series covering the anglo zulu war, begins almost immediately and never lets up. Rorkes drift battle was war crime scene world news the. Dec 16, 2016 the anglozulu war of 1879 was a tragedy caused by the ambition of three men. What happened to wounded zulus left in the field at the. A new perspective by neil thornton is very welcome. About a hundred men defeated an enemy force 30 or 40 times their size, and 11 of the defenders were awarded britain s highest military decoration, the victoria cross. The battle of rorke s drift the anglozulu war book 2 by james mace 4. The battle of rorke s 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. Book rorkes drift lodge, south africa on tripadvisor. The 1964 film depicting the battle of rorkes drift is now rightly thought of as a classic. The battle of rorke s 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. This battle took place on 2223 january 1879 during the zulu war 1879.
Battles of isandlwana and rorkes drift south african. The battle of rorkes drift anglo zulu war historical society. I first saw the film zulu in 1963,and still in my top five alltime favourites. This book provides a useful view of the people and events that took place at the battle for rorke s drift. What are some facts about the battle of rorkes drift. The defence of rorke s drift a fully detailed account written by john young, trustee, anglozulu war royal research trust. Apr 28, 1975 the defence of rorke s drift has gone down in history as one of the grandest heroic actions of british colonial wars. As an american this is a fascinating part of world history that we do not learn much about. Mar 17, 2017 the battle of rourke s drift was a famed engagement of the 1879 anglozulu warthat saw over 4,000 zulus attack the british outpost of rourke s drift. 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. Buy rorke s drift cassell military paperbacks new ed by greaves, adrian isbn.
The book covers the lead up to this battle, the preceding disaster, rorkes drift and the outcome. The battle of rorke s 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. 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. Jim rorke died in 1875 and the place was later purchased by the missionary, otto witt, on behalf of the church of sweden. The battle of rorkes drift, also known as the defence of rorkes drift, was a battle in the anglozulu war.
Geroge smith taken from the collection of john young. Please note that some of these books and publications will no doubt be out of print. 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 was turned into one of the most famous war movies in history. The british garrison was commanded by lieutenant john chard, royal engineers and lieutenant gonville bromhead of the 24 th foot. Below is a list of books relating to rorkes drift, isandhlwana, the anglo zulu war of 1879 and historic south africa. Rare account of zulu battle written day after on paper.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The actions of each of the 11 victoria cross recipients are looked at in detail, together with those men who were awarded the dcm. Crucible of honour the battle of rorke s drift is again a brilliant account of the battle. How did the british win the battle of rorkes drift.
The zulus, who knew rorke and had dealings with him, referred to rorkes drift as kwajimu, meaning jims place. The defence of the mission station of rorke s drift, under the command of lieutenant john chard of the royal engineers and lieutenant gonville bromhead, immediately followed the british army s defeat at the battle of isandlwana on 22 january 1879, and continued into the following day, 23. Buy rorkes drift cassell military paperbacks new ed by greaves, adrian isbn. The battle of rorke s drift, also known as the defence of rorke s drift, was an engagement in the anglozulu war. List of zulu war victoria cross recipients wikipedia. While they can be listed under strength, their limited participation in the battle has to be made clear. The battle of rorke s drift, is a real page turner that is truly hard to put down. This account of the battle of rorke s drift anglo zulu war of 1879 uses a re enactor to tell the story in the first person. Check out tripadvisor members 1,009 candid photos and videos of landmarks, hotels, and attractions in rorkes drift. The defence of rorkes drift snook, lieutenant colonel mike on. Wednesday 22 january 1879 was one of the most dramatic days. Welsh actor stanley baker portrayed chard in the 1964 film zulu which depicted the defence of rorke s drift. An account of the battles of isandhlwana and rorke s drift zululand january 1879 by captain william penn symons isbn.
So it is with rorkes drift, a name that has become shorthand for the underdog who stands his ground against overwhelming odds. A roleplay game introduced to iron gear studio from syrian bear studio after catherineroten authorized it to be moved. As usual, james mace turns true history into a series of stories that make both the heroes and the victims come alive. 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. Bonjour, in rorkes drift, a new perspectivee by neil thornton, i noted that caleb wood gave the following testimonies. Laband, in his book the zulu response to the british invasion of 1879, accepts the estimate of 600 that shepstone had from the zulus. He has made a detail study of the zulu war of 1879 and the battles of isandlwana and rorkes drift. A huge force of zulus attacked a small british garrison, but was eventually repelled after more than 12 hours of bitter fighting. The defence of rorkes drift the highest number of victoria. Rorkes drift by michael glover goodreads share book. Rorkes drift battle was war crime scene world news the guardian. Padre george smiths account from his diary kindly supplied by victorian voices.
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 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 battle of rorke s drift the anglozulu war book 2 at. Before this answer can be explained, the movie version must be dispelled.
Below is a list of books relating to rorkes drift, isandhlwana, the anglozulu war of 1879 and historic south africa. Fearsome warrior heads for rorkes drift, sparking one of the most famous battles in british history into life. The fall of rorkes drift hardback pen and sword books. 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.
Today, rorkes drift is the centre of a cottage industry of history books, documentaries, novels, models and video games. Alfred henry harry hook vc 6 august 1850 12 march 1905 was an english recipient of the victoria cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to british and commonwealth forces, for his actions at the battle of rorke s drift. Even though the book pointed out the inaccuracies in the movie, my curiosity was piqued. The book does credit to some of the characters henry hook comes to mind.
The battle for rorke s drift 1879 revisits the famous clash in a short history for the publishers battle story series. Feel free to recommend general history books as well as detailed studies of isandlwana and rorkes driftor other interesting battles from the zulu war. To give one an idea of its significance, just 4 kilometres down from the drift the river enters a gorge and from here there is no easy crossing until it. Rorkes drift by adrian greaves goodreads share book. The defence of the mission station of rorke s drift immediately followed the british army s defeat at the battle of isandlwana earlier that morning on 22 january 1879, and continued to the following day, 23 january.
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