Battle Story: Rorke's Drift 1879

Explores the men and action at this most legendary of battles in the Anglo-Zulu WarThe 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.