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Battle Story: Rorke's Drift 1879
R120.00
Quick Overview
The small garrison based at Rorke's Drift in South Africa is forever immortalized as one of the British Army's most glorious moments. The garrison was defended by 139 British soldiers with 300 African colonial troops under their command when, on January 22, 1879, they were attacked by a Zulu force of nearly 4,000 warriors. Outnumbered by nearly 20 to one, the British soldiers constructed a makeshift defense and fought throughout the night. Their tenacity and bravery ensured that the British retained the garrison and won the battle. Their acts in the face of this overwhelming onslaught saw 11 Victoria Crosses being awarded to the British garrison, the highest number ever awarded for a single engagement. Rorke's Drift restored the British public's faith in the Army after the disaster of Isandlwana, and the battle was famously portrayed in the film Zulu.
On 22 January 1879 a 20,000-strong Zulu army decimated the British camp at Isandlwana. On the back of this victory 3,000–4,000 Zulu warriors swept towards the garrison of Rorke’s Drift, expecting to devastate the c. 500-strong British and colonial force there. However, this small, but stalwart group of brave British soldiers withstood this overwhelming force over the next forty-eight hours and ultimately repelled them in a British victory that has been immortalised in books and film. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded for this extraordinary feat. To understand what happened and why – read Battle Story. Moving first-hand accounts reveal the brutal nature of the battle. Biographies of the commanders and soldiers involved explore the differing tactics and motivations of both sides. Paintings, illustrations and rare photographs place you at the centre of the action. Orders of battle detail the composition of the opposing forces’ armies. Packed with fact boxes, this short introduction is the perfect way to explore this legendary battle.
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| Author | Edmund Yorke |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Spellmount Publishers |
| Place | Gloucestershire |
| Year | 2012 |
| ISBN | 9780752464008 |
| Binding | Hardcover |
| Condition | Very Good |
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