Rorkes Drift the Zulu War 1879

by James W. Bancroft

Readers familiar with the movie "Zulu" will be thrilled to learn that the real story is even more dramatic. This intensely researched and fully illustrated book focuses on the story of a heroic defense of a small outpost that has echoed through history.

Genres: History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1988

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg]

On January 22nd 1879, Cetshwayo, King of the Zulus, threw his Army against a British Military and Colonial encampment at the base of Isandhlwana mountain in southern Zululand. Catching the invading Brits/Colonials unprepared, the Zulus wiped out the camp in one of the rare victories for Indigenous Peoples in the 19th Century. Flushed with Victory, but without having participated in the battle, the Zulu Reserves raced to the nearby British Logistical base inside their border-Rorke's Drift on the Blood River border. Left as a Hospital/Warehouse base for the Expedition(s) into Zululand, the small compound was manned by 139 Men, mostly Welsh members of the 24th Regiment of Foot whose two battalions were unusually serving together. Their survival, in 24 hours of extremely close and violent combat as wave after wave of Zulu Warriors assailed the post became an epic of British Military History, forming the basis of much lore, some myths, and a Film, "Zulu" that has a following all its own. In this book, James W Bancroft, a writer on Victorian/Edwardian Military and Historical topics, take a tick tock look at the battle setting the scene and then delivering a strong narrative based on extant records and memoirs.

This book was published in 1988, and reflects the latest information available at that time. It is a large format book filled to the brim with extant photos, drawings, painting and documents throughout- as well as modern Colour and B/W plates for the Costume/uniform crowd. Some later scholarship has added more nuance to the story, exposing the weak legal basis for the Expedition, and analyzing flaws in the British Command structure- but that is only hinted at here. Bancroft tells you he is telling the story of the British Colonial Side of this struggle- and then delivers- but if you want more Zulu-side content- there are better sources. Bancroft keeps the focus on how Victorian Military men with period means and weapons kept the Zulu Spearmen at bay. Even knowing the story fairly well as I do( this might be my 10th Book on this topic), the author was able to catch some of that desperation in the text in ways some others have not. Then as the battle fades- there is a pretty good discussion of the aftermath- and the battle's role in the period culture. I found the book a good addition to the Colonial Military collection, with the understanding that the more modern reader may very well want and seek more Zulu, Zulu Military (the Zulu Army was more organised than most African indigenous tribes, having regiments and Brigade/Divisional Structures-the Impi) and South African Colonial content.

There are some adult themes, and some graphic injury descriptions, so this is best for the Junior Reader over about 11 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, this book is a REAL treasure trove. For the Gamer- there are diagrams/maps of all the action- as the perimeter shrinks Bancroft shows you where each Rifleman Manned a post on the wall- PERFECT for scenario development. For the Modeler, the same information, and the plethora of art in various media and the pics of actual extant gear will be very helpful in Diorama synthesis. The Military enthusiast gets a rich narrative- with all the visual trimmings- but also a good sense of where this battle fit in to the British, South African Colonial, and and larger Commonwealth wide psyche. I think the modern reader will feel the proper respect is being paid to the Zulu Empire, but will want a little more depth to that side of the story in the future. A qualified rec from this world history reader.

[Jill]

Having watched the film numerous times I've always been fascinated by the story of Rorke's Drift. This book gives a wonderful insight of the brave and heroic men who defiantly fought despite the overwhelming odds.

[Chris]

a great account expelling the myths

[Lloyd]

This is a nonfiction book about the battle at Rorke’s Drift in January of 1879 during the Zulu War in (what is now) South Africa between the British Army and the native Zulu tribes. As colonial expansion continued into native tribal lands, the Zulu tribes finally pushed back and war broke out. While the British had many technological advantages (breach loaded rifles), the natives had overwhelming numbers of soldiers. The native’s primary weapon was a short spear used primarily for short range hand to hand fighting, not for launching at a distance. This battle took place shortly after the Zulu tribes massacred over 1,300 British soldiers at the Battle of Isandlwana just a few miles from Rorke’s Drift. Zulu deaths at Isandlwana are estimated at 2,500 to 3,000. There were less than 160 men available at Rorke’s Drift with only about 100 of them being British soldiers. But once they became aware of what just happened at Isandlwana there was no time to retreat. They would have been caught out in the open by the pursuing Zulus if they had tried to retreat. Time as a problem because they would have had to take the sick and wounded from Rorke’s small hospital by wagons, which would have greatly reduced their ability to retreat in a timely manner. Plus, the Brits knew of the Zulu cruelty to anyone taken prisoner. The Zulus often disemboweled prisoners while they were still alive. So, these few men had only a few hours of time to “fort up” and defend the area as best they could. They built defensive walls using supplies stored in boxes and heavy canvas bags, plus they had two small buildings available. The British at Isandlwana were caught out on open ground, making their defensive stand nearly impossible. At Rorke’s Drift these few men held off over 2,000 Zulu warriors for over 12 hours. As daylight dawned the nest morning, the Zulu warriors gave up and retreated. That was fortunate as the Brits had only about twenty cartridges per defender left. One more attack by the Zulus would have meant death to everyone at Rorke’s Drift. The Brits suffered 28 casualties at Rorke’s Drift, with 12 dead and 16 wounded. There were 11 Victoria Crosses (similar to the American Congressional Medal of Honor) awarded to British troops that defended Rorke’s Drift. Much of this book tells of their deeds which won them the Victoria Cross. In addition to those 11 Victoria Crosses, at this time the Brits did not award such metals posthumously. So, many more deeds of bravery went unrecognized because the men who performed those deeds died during the battle.

[Bill38silver]

It is well nigh impossible to read any of the numerous books on Rorke's Drift without being influenced by the brilliant film, Zulu which is faithful to the facts but with a few liberties taken.

Bancroft's worthy contribution is a well-narrated account of the background to the conflict, and sets out in considerable detail the activity, the action and the heroism of the defenders of Rorke's Drift, and the bravery of the Zulu in trying to expel the invaders armed with spears in the face of withering rifle fire.

There are several helpful maps and a final tribute section of short biographies of many of the principal participants. Evidently many of the heroes suffered physically and mentally for years after surviving this 12 hour traumatic experience. The book is very well illustrated throughout with many photos of the men, the terrain, the site of the conflict, plus helpful drawings and paintings of the epic defence. See the film, then read the book.

[John]

Outstanding and gripping account of the conflict that we have all come to know from the epic movie Zulu.