Today and tomorrow marks the 130th anniversary of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift. This was a landmark engagement between 139 British soldiers against over 4,000 Zulu warriors during the opening days of the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879.
Rorke’s Drift was immortalized in the film Zule, which starred Michael Caine and featured Richard Burton doing voice-over narration. Although the movie is a dramatization of the events, it is a fine film to watch with brilliant performances all around.
The Battle of Rorke’s Drift took place on January 22nd, after the British defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana which took place earlier that day, and concluded on January 23rd in a resounding British victory.
The British troops at Rorke’s Drift were heavily outnumbered, but elected to make a stand in a position that could be fortified to some extent rather than be caught in the open where they would be annihilated. Fortifying their position meant they had a fighting chance of withstanding a concerted Zulu attack.
As the battle raged on, British troops in the hospital were cut off from the main force. With the hospital roof on fire, and Zulus pressing an attack on that position, most of the troops there managed to evacuate to safety, including most of the sick and injured.
When the Zulus finally gave up their attempts to take Rorke’s Drift on the morning of the 23rd, over 370 Zulu bodies were counted around the station. IN the aftermath, more Zulu bodies were found in the surrounding area. In all 17 British soldiers were killed and 14 wounded.
The defense of Rorke’s Drift is an incredible account of courage and human fortitude. It is also interesting to note that 11 Victory Crosses were awarded as a result of this action, the highest number given to a single unit in a single action. At the time of the battle it was not customary to give the VC posthumously, else there would have been more such awards given for the gallantry and sacrifice of those who died in the defense of Rorke’s Drift.
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