Posted on 01/22/2018 5:22:39 AM PST by Bull Snipe
At a place called Isandlwana, a British force, consisting of 1,000 soldiers of the 24th Foot, (2nd Warwickshire Regiment), and 300 native troops was attacked by 20,0000 Zulu warriors. The Zulu force, armed mostly with spears and cowhide shields, overran the British positions and killed all but a handful of the defenders. It was the worst defeat in the history of the British Army by a native army. Later that afternoon, 5,000 Zulu warriors attacked a small British force at a river crossing called Rorke’s Drift. Here, 130 soldiers of Co. B, 2nd Bat. 24th Foot, repelled numerous attacks by the Zulus.
I wonder about the difference in outcomes. Did the second force survive comparable odds because of better leadership, better training, better geography, or some other factor. I thank God every day for the leadership our country finally has, and I pray that President Trump will be up to the job.
At Isandlwana, the British and native troops were deployed in open fields hundreds of yards from their camp and the different battle lines were far enough apart not to be able to support one another. At Rork’s Drift the troops were in a small compound made of low masonry walls and mealy bags.
A much better defensive position.
Poor Victoria.
Interesting. Thank you.
But also, the more successful event (at 38:1 odds) happened at a river crossing which could have afford something of a natural barrier that limited the Zulu offense.
The worse event (at 15:1 odds) could have been in the open, surrounded, defense assets divided.
Watch the two classic movies on the subject from the English viewpoint: “Zulu” and “Zulu Dawn.” Like life events in general, the difference in outcomes was because of a variety of factors, including dumb luck.
Just my opinion.
Oldplayer
Zulu - staring Michael Caine
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058777/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_126
My Michael Caine movie
The Battle of Rorke’s drift earned a record number of soldiers the victoria cross.
Zulu: my favorite movie. I watch it at least once a year. I believe it was also Michael Caine’s first movie. And Second Hand Lion was his last. Both are in our personal library. Zulu portrays small unit leadership at its best.
Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders of Rorke’s Drift.
“Zulu” and “Zulu Dawn”
Adding both to my list. Thank you.
“Zulu” is a excellent movie and I have watched many times.
“Zulu Dawn” on the other hand, is not worth the effort to watch nor the cost of a second hand CD. JMO.
My understanding is as follows:
1) The contingent of Zulu were not part of the main force from the previous battle, but sent round the British flank to secure lines of communication and prevent defeat. They had less discipline as many contingents went off on their own to conduct smaller raids.
2) Prior to the battle the Zulu fast marched all day from 8am to 4pm and then fought till 2am with minor skirmishes after that till 4am. So they were tired by they time they arrived and exhausted by the end.
3) Most importantly - the location was well fortified.
One comment at the link below states: “The British wall was too high for the Zulus to scale, so they resorted to crouching under the wall, trying to get hold of the defenders’ Martini–Henry rifles, slashing at British soldiers with assegais or firing their weapons through the wall. At places, they clambered over each other’s bodies to drive the British off the walls but were driven back”.
The British successfully shrunk their lines of battle into the cattle krall to prevent incursion behind their lines.
This despite two support forces leaving early in the attack. One of which was already exhausted from the earlier battle.
4) Zulu’s left in the morning. Had they stayed they would have likely overrun the position. As: ‘Of 20,000 rounds in reserve at the mission, only 900 remained.’.
5) second most important and likely why the Zulus left. At 8AM the relief column arrived.
solid summary here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rorke’s_Drift
Would have been 12, but they didn’t award posthumously at the time.
From Wiki: In 1879 there was no provision for the posthumous granting of the Victoria Cross, and so it could not be awarded to anyone who had died in performing an act of bravery. In light of this, an unofficial “twelfth VC” may be added to those listed: Private Joseph Williams, B Coy, 2nd/24th Foot, who was killed during the fight in the hospital and for whom it was mentioned in despatches that “had he lived he would have been recommended for the Victoria Cross”.
The Brits at that time were invaders, and needed killing.
Thanks
It was Michael Caine’s first movie role.
No, it wasn't. At Bemis Heights in October, 1777, during the War of the American Revolution, a native army captured an entire British army of around 7,000.
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