Zulu War 1879 - Battle of Isandlwana & the Battle of Rorke's Drift.
Join Chris Green (The History Chap) as he tells the story of two battles from the Anglo Zulu Wars that have fascinated him ever since he was a child.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐨 𝐙𝐮𝐥𝐮 𝐖𝐚𝐫
In todays' video let me entertain you with the incredible stories of British & Zulu bravery.
First, the Zulus deliver a crushing defeat on the British Army at Isandlwana and then a tiny British garrison hold 4,000 Zulus at bay for 10 hours.
Two stories that still catch the imagination of people who enjoy military history.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
2:00 South Africa 1879
5:38 British invasion of Zululand
9:15 Lord Chelmsford leaves Isandlwana
11:25 Battle of Isandlwana
17:00 Isandlwana Falls
18:45 Melville and Coghill
23:00 The Battle of Rorke's Drift
28:30 Attack on the hospital
32:08 Rorke's Drift relieved
35:25 Men of Harlech and other myths
36:09 The Aftermath
39:00 Rorke's Drift Survivors
𝐌𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬
I first got into the history of the Zulu Wars when I watched the epic film "Zulu" way back when I was about 5. Around the same time my father took me to the two battlefields at Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift.
Being very young I don't remember too much about the mission station at Rorke's Drift (apart from a red roof) but I do remember walking up onto the neck at Isandlwana.
𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚
The Zulu war was conducted as the British empire was exerting its influence in southern Africa. Rather like the first Anglo-Boer war two years later, the results weren't quite what the British commander, Lord Chelmsford, had envisaged.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚
When Lord Chelmsford divided his force in enemy territory, the Zulus launched a brave and disciplined attack on the camp at Isandlwana.
A combination of British errors and Zulu strategy resulted in the worst defeat the British ever suffered at the hands of a native African army.
No British soldier escape the ensuing massacre on foot.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐭
High on the success at Isandlwana, a reserve unit of the Zulu army made their way to the mission station at Rorke's Drift which was acting as a supply depot and hospital for the British.
For over 12 hours the tiny British garrison held out against overwhelming odds and eventually the Zulus retired.
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FAQ
When was the Zulu War?
1879 in South Africa between the Zulu Kingdom and the British Empire.
When was the battle of Isandlwana?
21st January 1879.
Who won the battle of Isandlwana?
The Zulus fighting for their king Cetshwayo.
Why did the british lose the battle of Isandlwana?
A variety of reasons.
The British commander, Lord Chelmsford was convinced that the Zulu impi (army) was to the east and divided his force to go out to meet it, leaving the camp undermanned.
When was the battle of Rorke's Drift?
It was fought that night (21/22 January)
Who won the battle of Rorke's Drift?
The British.
How many Victoria Crosses were awarded at the battle of Rorke's Drift?
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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or KZfaq animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.