Posted on 01/23/2005 9:39:11 AM PST by ijcr
We've all seen the marvellous movie'Zulu', where the heroic Welsh garrison at Rorke's Drift match the power of the awesome Zulu Impis.
The Two Armies
By the middle of the nineteenth century Great Britain held two colonies in southern Africa, the Cape Colony and Natal. These stretched from the southern tip of the continent (the Cape) upwards along its eastern coast (Natal).
In the interior of the region were two independent Boer republics, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. Among these European enclaves were the remnants of the original African nations, the strongest of which was the Zulu kingdom, just north of Natal.
First Day Preparations
In the morning of 22 January, Chard received orders for his unit of engineers to report to the Central Column’s camp at the foot of a monolithic, sphinx-like mountain called Isandlwana, about ten or twelve miles east of the drift in KwaZulu. Unsure whether the order was meant to include him personally, Chard obtained permission from Spalding to accompany his men and get the orders clarified.
The Battle Begins
The iNdluyengwe pressed its attack ferociously. From about four hundred yards on, however, the Martini-Henrys of the defenders exacted a devastating toll from the ranks of the attackers. Even so, the Zulus came within fifty yards of the barricades before their charge faltered in the face of the fire from the defenders behind the mealie bag barricade, abetted by a murderous crossfire from both buildings.
The Zulus quickly discovered that the lack of cover made this the most dangerous part of the British perimeter to assault. The iNdluyengwe therefore veered to its left, around toward the front of the hospital, where the rocks, brush, and tall grass provided excellent cover, and paused momentarily.
The fire of the defenders was so effective that one could trace the path of the iNdluyengwe by the bodies left in its wake. The remainder of the amabutho, married veterans who were perhaps somewhat slower than the more youthful iNdluyengwe, joined them, along with Prince Dabulamanzi.
The Hospital and Perimeter
In the lore of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift the fight for the hospital has gained almost epic status, a veritable “battle-within-a-battle.” This is understandable for several reasons. One is that the occupants of the hospital fought alone, cut off from the rest of the garrison, without even an opportunity to replenish ammunition.
Indeed, the absence of interior hallways or doors meant that they were initially cut off even from each other. Another is that with only six non-patients to mount a defense, the odds against them were even greater than for their comrades (the “David and Goliath” factor). Also, the “blue-collar” natures of the defenders – all were privates, without so much as a single NCO – is appealing to many.
There was a sergeant present, Robert Maxfield of the 24th Regiment, but he was a patient, delirious with fever, and thus unable to make any kind of contribution. The cramped conditions guaranteed that much of the combat would be hand-to-hand, which captured the imagination of the public. In addition, the “time bomb” of the burning roof greatly added to the sense of urgency. All in all, the use of the word “epic” in describing this portion of the battle is more than understandable.
Rorke's Drift, as it looks today, with the hospital in the top left and the church (was storehouse) on the right.
Aftermath and Casualties
At 05:00 Chard sent out patrols to assess the situation and collect Zulu weapons. He also ordered the thatched roof of the storehouse removed (the Zulus had tried mightily but unsuccessfully to ignite it) and the walls of the hospital torn down to prevent the Zulus from using them as cover should they return.
The garrison was astounded. Zulu bodies were everywhere. They counted over three hundred fifty around the station. This is not an accurate reflection of Zulu casualties, however, since bodies were found for weeks afterward on the Shiyane and along the Zulus’ route home, where many of their wounded had obviously expired after the battle. Most estimates of Zulu dead run from five to six hundred, which seems more reasonable.
I asked a couple of people in South Africa that question in the late 80's. I believe it was a slap in the face to the ANC as most Zulu's hated the Xosha dominated, communist ANC. The Zulu's were the closest things the white government had to friends. Also SA was trying very hard to get the movie industry to film there as it is (or was) by far the most advanced area of Africa.
Ian Knight wrote that the county designation of the 24th Regiment in 1879 was the 2nd Warwickshires; they didn't change their title to the South Wales Borderers until 1st July 1881 - almost exactly two years after the war had ended.
True, the Regimental Depot had been established at Brecon, in South Wales, in 1873, and from that point there was a small but significant increase in Welsh recruits in the ranks. In fact, however, recruits for the regiment - like every other battalion in the British army - were signed on at recruiting depots across the country, and the 24th consisted of men from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
The most that can be said is that the Welsh connection had, by 1879, led to a rather higher proportion of Welshman in the ranks than was common elsewhere. Nevertheless, even the most optimistic search of the regimental roll can find only 19 men of B Company, 2/24th, with any sort of Welsh connection - out of a total strength of more than 80.
Of course, there were detachments of numerous other units - including Colonial Volunteers - present at the battle, making a total garrison of about 145. So the Welsh contingent comprised no more than 15% of the total.
And no-one, I'm sorry to say, sang Men of Harlech; the regimental march in 1879 was "The Warwickshire Lads""."
http://www.hafodlane.fsnet.co.uk/Myfanwy.mp3
The site above features the Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir singing Myfanwy,just beautiful and emotional music.
Artist Chris Collingwood's "This Heroic Little Garrison" Excellent print available from Cranston Military Art. This painting as well as "Hail to Odin", "SPQR", "Spartans", and "Thermopolyae" hang prominately in my office.
What is often overlooked is that the battle at Rorke's Drift could very well have ended in the same disastrous manner as Isandlawana, but for one key factor: Rorke's Drift was a supply depot, so the British soldiers who defended it were able to rely on a nearly-unlimited source of ammunition.
I agree, the Zulus were shown as a well disciplined army, using tactics, not just fatalist, savage attackers.
Technology and a defensible position, along with a lot of courage defeated them, but they fought well.
From: http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/index.html
At Rorke's Drift, eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded. 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.
And here: http://www.victoriacross.net/unit.asp?unit=15
for the 24th Regiment (later The South Wales Borderers)VC Awards.
Thanks much. MUCH!
...."from the Southwest Sir - thosands of them"....
..."you'll upset the lads'...
One of my favorite liks for info on this;
http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/isandhlwana/isandhlwana.htm#
Yes, I got the names mixed up.
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