Jan 22 1879 The Battle of Isandlwana/Rorke's Drift

[Valin]

Britsh Battles: Isandlwana

Isandlwana, the battle that rocked Victorian Britain; at which the Zulus wiped out a substantial British force including the 1st Battalion, 24th Foot.

 

Combatants: Zulu army against a force of British troops, Natal units and African levies.

 

Generals: Lieutenant Colonel Pulleine of the 24th Foot and Lieutenant Colonel Durnford commanded the British force at the battle. The Zulu Army was commanded by Chiefs Ntshingwayo kaMahole and Mavumengwana kaMdlela Ntuli.

 

Size of the armies: The British force comprised some 1,200 men. It is likely that they were attacked by around 12,000 Zulus.

 

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Account:

The battle at Isandlwana stunned the world. It was unthinkable that a native army armed substantially with stabbing weapons could defeat the troops of a western power armed with modern rifles and artillery, let alone wipe it out.

 

Until news of the disaster reached Britain the Zulu War was just another colonial brushfire war of the sort that simmered constantly in many parts of the worldwide British Empire. The complete loss of a battalion of troops, news of which was sent by telegraph to Britain, transformed the nations attitude to the war.

 

The Battle of Isandlwana

 

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[Valin]

British Battles: Rorke's Drift

Rorke’s Drift: the iconic defence of the mission station by a small force of British and colonial troops; which saw a record award of Victoria Crosses and restored the faith of Victorian Britain in the Army

 

Date: 22nd January 1879

Place: Tugela River in Natal Province, South Africa

 

Combatants: British infantry with Natal irregulars against Zulu warriors.

Commanders: The British garrison was commanded by Lieutenant John Chard, Royal Engineers, and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead of the 24th Foot. The Zulus were commanded by Prince Dabulamanzi kaMapande.

 

Size of the armies: 139 British troops against about 4,500 Zulus.

 

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The Battle of Rorke's Drift

 

Account:

Rorke’s Drift is an iconic battle for Britain like Isandlwana, but for the reverse reason. After the disastrous and apparently inexplicable slaughter of the 1st Battalion, the 24th Foot, Bromhead’s B Company, 2nd Battalion of the same regiment with their colleagues restored the prestige of British arms by their successful defence of the mission station.

 

Just as it was incomprehensible to the public in Britain that 1,000 British infantry armed with modern breach loading rifles could be overwhelmed by native troops armed principally with stabbing spears, it was astounding that a handful of the same troops could withstand the overwhelming attack delivered against the mission station later the same day.

 

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http://youtu.be/yTRhvT6oNtU

Sorry for the poor sound