The Defence of Rorke's Drift, 22nd and 23rd of January, 1879.

welshmann · 02-05-2006, 05:03 AM

In January 1879 the British invaded KwaZulu in South Africa, without the sanction of the Home Government, in a war brought about by the misguided policy of "Confederating" Southern Africa under the direction of the Governor-General Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere. The fiercely indepedent AmaZulu people refused to lay down their arms and accept British rule over the Sovereign Kingdom. The British General Officer Commanding, Lord Chelmsford, despite having abundant military intelligence on the AmaZulu, had a misconceived idea of the fighting prowess of his enemy. The result was that on 22nd January a British force of seventeen hundred strong, was attacked and only some four hundred men, of whom only some eighty Europeans, survived at a place called Isandhlwana.
Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande commanded an impi, the Undi 'corps' of 4,500. His men had played little part in the action at Isandhlwana, but goaded on by his men, and despite the orders of his brother, King Cetshwayo kaMpande, not to cross the Buffalo River into Natal, he chose to attack the British supply base close to a river crossing known as Rorke's Drift, which the AmaZulu called KwaJimu.
The post was established in a trading store-cum-mission station that consisted of a dwelling house and a chapel, both sturdily built of stone. The house was doing temporary duty as a field hospital, the chapel was full of stores and there were only 104 men who were fit enough to fight. The command of the post had passed to Lieutenant Chard of the Royal Engineers, when Major Henry Spalding of the 104th Regiment left on the morning of the 22nd January. Commanding a company-strength was Lieutenant Bromhead of the 24th Regiment.* James Langley Dalton, a volunteer serving as an Acting Assistant Commissary and a former Staff Sergeant, ordered the construction of barricades connecting the two buildings with sacks of corn, and an inner barricade with biscuit boxes.
When the Zulus attacked, wielding their short stabbing assegais, they were unable to reach the men behind the barricades and they were blasted by rifle fire at point blank range. Most of those who did mount the breastwork were repulsed by the bayonets of the defenders. Some of the Zulus were armed with rifles, purchased from unscrupulous traders, but they were not trained marksmen and the British soldiers were able to pick them off at long range.
After a number of unsuccessful attacks the Zulus set fire to the hospital, burst in and began to spear the patients. A private named Alfred Henry Hook, a Gloucestershire man, kept them at bay with his bayonet while his friend John Williams hacked holes in the wall separating one room from another and dragged the patients through one by one, the last man had dislocated his knee. Williams had to break the other to get him out of a window and into the yard where the barricades offered some protection.
Fighting went on all night in the fitful glare from the blazing hospital as the Zulus made charge after charge on the barricades. Both sides fought with desperate courage. A patient from the hospital, a Swiss born adventurer Christian Ferdnand Schiess, stabbed three Zulus in quick succession after he had clambered over the breastwork. In the yard Surgeon James Henry Reynolds tended to the wounded, oblivious to the life and death struggle going on all around him. Those too badly hurt to shoot propped themselves up as best they could and reloaded the guns, and re-supplied ammunition to those who were still on their feet.
When dawn came at last, the Zulus drew off taking their wounded with them and leaving at least 351 dead around the barricades. Later Lord Chelmsford arrived on the scene with a column of British Soldiers.
Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead were both awarded the Victoria Cross, as were the redoubtable privates Alfred Hook, Frederick Hitch, Robert Jones, William Jones, Corporal Allen, James Langley Dalton and Pte. John Williams. Surgeon Reynolds got the Cross for tending the wounded under fire; and the Swiss volunteer Christian Schiess - the first to a soldier serving with South Africa forces.
Rorke's Drift, as it looks today, with the hospital in the top left
and the church (was storehouse) on the right.

Looking up towards the hospital building, with some of the original ledge still visable.

Henry Hook's grave in wales

Nine of the original Victoria Crosses out of the eleven awarded for Rorke's Drift gathered together, including those for Lieutenants John Chard of Royal Engineers, Gonville Bromhead of 24th Regiment, Assistant Commissary James Dalton and Private Robert Jones 2/24th.

lieutenant chard v.c

nognig · 02-05-2006, 10:12 AM

Truly an epic battle.

Rent the movie "Zulu" if you want to see Hollywood's take on it. It's a great movie. Some inaccuracies, but they are minor.

NN

U-S-S-R · 02-05-2006, 11:04 AM

Would be cool to be part of such mission to civilise Afrika.

Argyll · 02-05-2006, 11:54 AM

War is not cool!!

mountainbear · 02-05-2006, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U-S-S-R

Would be cool to be part of such mission to civilise Afrika.

Many soldiers who participated to this engagement had psychic problems since than.
Also those who participated to the Zulu campaign realised that the Zulus where not uneducated savages!

The fact is that the battle of Rorke’s Drift is such a symbol because it happened the same day as Isandlwana. It had no strategic importance, it’s the politics in London who turned it into a decisive victory.
Now that doesn’t take away the valour of those who fought this battle.

Para · 02-05-2006, 12:21 PM

Well Hook was not a drunk and was the son of a Vicar.

U-S-S-R · 02-05-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainbear

Many soldiers who participated to this engagement had psychic problems since than.
Also those who participated to the Zulu campaign realised that the Zulus where not uneducated savages!

They weren't? I doubt they were more civilised then the British.

I also saw the movie recently about the British run-in with the zulu's. Quiet impressive despite it's age.

[quote[The fact is that the battle of Rorke’s Drift is such a symbol because it happened the same day as Isandlwana. It had no strategic importance, it’s the politics in London who turned it into a decisive victory.
Now that doesn’t take away the valour of those who fought this battle.[/quote]

What do you mean.

mountainbear · 02-05-2006, 12:45 PM

The battle of Isandlwana had a much greater incidence on the war then Roke’s Drift but it’s this last one that we remember. Why? Because it is always better for the politicians that the public read about a victory in the newspapers and also because Lord Chelmsford wanted to hide his mistakes (some would say incompetence) which led to the Isandlwana disaster.

Johnny_H · 02-05-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Para

Well Hook was not a drunk and was the son of a Vicar.

Also if i recall correctly he ( Hook ) was a excellent soldier, who was one of the youngest NCO's of his regiment. The Zulu war has always fascinated me, I watched Zulu when I was four years old and its been my favorite film ever since.

Another worthey mention for a film on the subject is Zulu Dawn, filmed in th 70's it has a heavy cast "Peter O Tool, Burt lancaster, Simon Ward, Bob Hoskins" there are more and its a excellent movie ( despite some costume and editing mistakes ) of the earlier battle/defeat at Islandlwana.

In addition to that my next book I am reading is

Quote:

The crushing defeat suffered by the British Army by the Zulus at Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 is by any standards a gripping and shocking story. The discovery of a complete set of diaries written by a young Royal Artillery officer who was the only survivor of his unit which lost all their guns is a very important find. Not only does this superb record tell of the dramatic events of that fateful day but it captures the atmosphere of the whole campaign and the age in which it was fought, and makes for compulsive reading.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...966885-9371820

And just when you think I am finished ....
Here is a incredible website on the subject at hand.

http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/

For more on Zulu's themselves ( again very interesting stuff ) there are a number of books available from Osprey publishing and other publishers, I can post some links if anyones interested, also see "Shaka Zulu" its a TV series from the 80's it takes place some few hundred years befor the Anglo Zulu war and is again an excellent series. ( one that somehow I do not own yet? )

Salonen · 02-05-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

there are a number of books available from Osprey publishing

Osprey have over the years published 11 books about the 1879 war against the Zulus. 11 books about the same short war. Typical Osprey.

Johnny_H · 02-05-2006, 04:34 PM

Osprey are really great though, I really enjoy the series I dont have too many but I have a few old titles and one more recent.

PS there are other books then Osprey, I just figured they would be the most recognised.
Here is a link to another website offering books on the subject.

www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

miguelencanarias · 02-05-2006, 08:37 PM

I have been a regular at www.rorkesdriftvc.com, specially its forum. John Young is the top expert in the field, and it is always very instructive to read his texts.

M1A2U2 · 02-07-2006, 11:22 AM

They should remake the movie. Even though its good it would be so much better

Johnny_H · 02-07-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M1A2U2

They should remake the movie. Even though its good it would be so much better

I seriously have to disagree here

miguelencanarias · 02-07-2006, 03:35 PM

Johnny, I would love to see a remake, only this time more accurate historically speaking. Broomhead was not a particularly good officer and he was stone deaf, Dalton was the real hero, an experienced, ex-staff sergeant who put everything together. Hook was a model soldier, and for crying out loud, they would not have sung Men of Harlech but The Warwickshire lads. The regiment had been recently moved to Brecon but Welshmen were a minority.

02-05-2006, 05:03 AM	#1
welshmann Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: cardiff uk Age: 38 Posts: 1,026	The Defence of Rorke's Drift, 22nd and 23rd of January, 1879. In January 1879 the British invaded KwaZulu in South Africa, without the sanction of the Home Government, in a war brought about by the misguided policy of "Confederating" Southern Africa under the direction of the Governor-General Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere. The fiercely indepedent AmaZulu people refused to lay down their arms and accept British rule over the Sovereign Kingdom. The British General Officer Commanding, Lord Chelmsford, despite having abundant military intelligence on the AmaZulu, had a misconceived idea of the fighting prowess of his enemy. The result was that on 22nd January a British force of seventeen hundred strong, was attacked and only some four hundred men, of whom only some eighty Europeans, survived at a place called Isandhlwana. Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande commanded an impi, the Undi 'corps' of 4,500. His men had played little part in the action at Isandhlwana, but goaded on by his men, and despite the orders of his brother, King Cetshwayo kaMpande, not to cross the Buffalo River into Natal, he chose to attack the British supply base close to a river crossing known as Rorke's Drift, which the AmaZulu called KwaJimu. The post was established in a trading store-cum-mission station that consisted of a dwelling house and a chapel, both sturdily built of stone. The house was doing temporary duty as a field hospital, the chapel was full of stores and there were only 104 men who were fit enough to fight. The command of the post had passed to Lieutenant Chard of the Royal Engineers, when Major Henry Spalding of the 104th Regiment left on the morning of the 22nd January. Commanding a company-strength was Lieutenant Bromhead of the 24th Regiment.* James Langley Dalton, a volunteer serving as an Acting Assistant Commissary and a former Staff Sergeant, ordered the construction of barricades connecting the two buildings with sacks of corn, and an inner barricade with biscuit boxes. When the Zulus attacked, wielding their short stabbing assegais, they were unable to reach the men behind the barricades and they were blasted by rifle fire at point blank range. Most of those who did mount the breastwork were repulsed by the bayonets of the defenders. Some of the Zulus were armed with rifles, purchased from unscrupulous traders, but they were not trained marksmen and the British soldiers were able to pick them off at long range. After a number of unsuccessful attacks the Zulus set fire to the hospital, burst in and began to spear the patients. A private named Alfred Henry Hook, a Gloucestershire man, kept them at bay with his bayonet while his friend John Williams hacked holes in the wall separating one room from another and dragged the patients through one by one, the last man had dislocated his knee. Williams had to break the other to get him out of a window and into the yard where the barricades offered some protection. Fighting went on all night in the fitful glare from the blazing hospital as the Zulus made charge after charge on the barricades. Both sides fought with desperate courage. A patient from the hospital, a Swiss born adventurer Christian Ferdnand Schiess, stabbed three Zulus in quick succession after he had clambered over the breastwork. In the yard Surgeon James Henry Reynolds tended to the wounded, oblivious to the life and death struggle going on all around him. Those too badly hurt to shoot propped themselves up as best they could and reloaded the guns, and re-supplied ammunition to those who were still on their feet. When dawn came at last, the Zulus drew off taking their wounded with them and leaving at least 351 dead around the barricades. Later Lord Chelmsford arrived on the scene with a column of British Soldiers. Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead were both awarded the Victoria Cross, as were the redoubtable privates Alfred Hook, Frederick Hitch, Robert Jones, William Jones, Corporal Allen, James Langley Dalton and Pte. John Williams. Surgeon Reynolds got the Cross for tending the wounded under fire; and the Swiss volunteer Christian Schiess - the first to a soldier serving with South Africa forces. Rorke's Drift, as it looks today, with the hospital in the top left and the church (was storehouse) on the right. Looking up towards the hospital building, with some of the original ledge still visable. Henry Hook's grave in wales Nine of the original Victoria Crosses out of the eleven awarded for Rorke's Drift gathered together, including those for Lieutenants John Chard of Royal Engineers, Gonville Bromhead of 24th Regiment, Assistant Commissary James Dalton and Private Robert Jones 2/24th. lieutenant chard v.c

02-05-2006, 04:34 PM	#11
Johnny_H I'm not your buddy guy! Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 8,691	Osprey are really great though, I really enjoy the series I dont have too many but I have a few old titles and one more recent. PS there are other books then Osprey, I just figured they would be the most recognised. Here is a link to another website offering books on the subject. www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Last edited by Johnny_H; 02-05-2006 at 05:04 PM.

02-05-2006, 10:12 AM	#2
nognig Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 780	Truly an epic battle. Rent the movie "Zulu" if you want to see Hollywood's take on it. It's a great movie. Some inaccuracies, but they are minor. NN

02-05-2006, 11:04 AM	#3
U-S-S-R Banned user Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. (George Orwell) Age: 23 Posts: 761	Would be cool to be part of such mission to civilise Afrika.

02-05-2006, 11:54 AM	#4
Argyll Virtual Warrior Inc. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Basra, Iraq Posts: 12,789	War is not cool!!

02-05-2006, 12:21 PM	#6
Para Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: That Green And Pleasant Land Posts: 1,457	Well Hook was not a drunk and was the son of a Vicar.

02-05-2006, 12:45 PM	#8
mountainbear Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,032	The battle of Isandlwana had a much greater incidence on the war then Roke’s Drift but it’s this last one that we remember. Why? Because it is always better for the politicians that the public read about a victory in the newspapers and also because Lord Chelmsford wanted to hide his mistakes (some would say incompetence) which led to the Isandlwana disaster.

02-05-2006, 08:37 PM	#12
miguelencanarias Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canary Islands, Spain Age: 40 Posts: 1,583	I have been a regular at www.rorkesdriftvc.com, specially its forum. John Young is the top expert in the field, and it is always very instructive to read his texts.

02-07-2006, 11:22 AM	#13
M1A2U2 On The Left Flank... Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pasta Factory Posts: 2,076	They should remake the movie. Even though its good it would be so much better

02-07-2006, 03:35 PM	#15
miguelencanarias Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canary Islands, Spain Age: 40 Posts: 1,583	Johnny, I would love to see a remake, only this time more accurate historically speaking. Broomhead was not a particularly good officer and he was stone deaf, Dalton was the real hero, an experienced, ex-staff sergeant who put everything together. Hook was a model soldier, and for crying out loud, they would not have sung Men of Harlech but The Warwickshire lads. The regiment had been recently moved to Brecon but Welshmen were a minority.