List of zulu war victoria cross recipients wikipedia. With stanley baker, jack hawkins, ulla jacobsson, james booth. Zulu released 50 years ago this week is a film about a glorious british myth. Battles of isandlwana and rorkes drift south african. Canon william lummiss 1978 book padre george smith of rorkes drift is a detailed account into the life of smith and his part in the action at rorkes drift on 2223 january 1879. On 22 january 1879, at rorkes drift on the natal border with zululand, in south africa, a tiny british garrison of 140 men many of them sick and wounded fought for 12 hours to. South africa in the mid 19th century was dominated by three major power blocs. The battle was turned into one of the most famous war movies in history. During the morning of 22 january, reports began to reach major spalding, the officer commanding rorkes drift, that zulus had been seen in the vicinity of isandlwana. The battle of rorkes drift is famous, not only for the ferocious action taken by the defending officers and men, but for the recognition of their bravery by the award of eleven victoria crosses, seven of which went to the 24th regiment, the most ever awarded to one regiment for a single action. How did the british win the battle of rorkes drift. Rorke s drift roll of the men who fought at rorke s drift the first invasion first column isandhlwana a survivor s account. It first entered service in 1871, eventually replacing the sniderenfield, a muzzleloader converted to the cartridge system.
More victoria crosses 11 were awarded to the troops at rorkes drift than at any other single battle by the british army. In rorkes drift in 1879, eighty men, under lieutenants chard and bromhead. The battle of rorkes drift as since taken on a legendary status in military history. They expected the next wave to arrive, but it never did.
Not rated 2h 18min drama, history, war 17 june 1964 usa outnumbered british soldiers do battle with zulu warriors at rorkes drift. Zulu movie rorkes drift vc winning battle myths bbc news. On 22 january 1879, at rorke s drift on the natal border with zululand, in south africa, a tiny british garrison of 140 men many of them sick and wounded fought for 12 hours to. Zulu quite simply is my favourite film of all time, and my love for cinema to this day. While the film is accurate in its portrayal in showing a small british garrison fending off against anywhere between 46,000 zulu warriors, it is not accurate when it comes. Within hours, however, the message had been erased with apologies following complaints that it was celebrating colonialism a. The anglozulu war of 1879 was a tragedy caused by the ambition of three men. Rorkes drift battle was war crime scene world news. Zulu dawn is the 1979 prequel to zulu 1964 and was directed by douglas hickox brannigan, sky riders. Eleven vc recipients received their awards for deeds performed during the defence of the small garrison one of the largest number awarded for a single action, and the largest number 7 awarded to a. But that image of valour and nobility in the anglozulu war of 1879. His coverage of the actual battle at rorkes drift is a short but highly detailed account.
The film recounts the battle of rorke s drift in 1879 when some 150 british soldiers held off around 4,000 warrior tribesmen whose land they. See more ideas about military art, zulu and military history. With burt lancaster, simon ward, denholm elliott, peter vaughan. The film stars stanley baker as lieutenant john chard and a young michael. A display at the royal engineers museum in gillingham, kent, commemorates chard s leadership at rorke s drift and includes the webley revolver he used in the battle. It was fifty years ago that the battle of rorkes drift was immortalised in the film zulu, on the 85th anniversary of the action. On 22 and 23 january 1879, bourne was part of the garrison at rorkes drift in natal, south africa. What are some facts about the battle of rorkes drift. Battle of rorkes drift on 22nd january 1879 in the zulu war. Zodiac horror about a town learning a secret shared by two mysterious women.
Map of the battle of rorkes drift on 22nd january 1879 in the zulu war. The films implication that the 24th was a welsh regiment is two and a half. Zulu is a 1964 british epic war film depicting the battle of rorkes drift between the british army and the zulus in january 1879, during the anglozulu war. A roleplay game introduced to iron gear studio from syrian bear studio after catherineroten authorized it to be moved. Aug 19, 2016 the battle of rorkes drift as since taken on a legendary status in military history. Whilst the film was not a documentary and for the sake of a. Zulu wars 1879 battle of rorkes drift and battle of isandlwana. Battle of rourkes drift the battle of rourkes drift zulu war. Zulu name for rorke s drift donald morris, in his book the washing of the spears states that the zulu name is kwajumu not kwajim dobryen talk 07.
The british are fighting the zulus and one of their columns has just been wiped out at isandlwana. The book is set in two parts, the first half 202 pages offers the reader a narrative of the events leading up to the british invasion, the battle at isandlwana, the final battle at rorke s drift, and then the events leading to the end of the campaign. Within hours, however, the message had been erased with apologies following complaints that it was celebrating colonialism a decision which was itself. A brief video of the victoria cross winners at rorkes drift 1879 as heard in the 1964 epic movie zulu. Having only seen the movie, i wanted to learn a little more about the story and this book provided it. Factbased dramatization of the 1879 battle at rorkes drift in south africa where a small british army fought off bordering armies of zulu warriors.
In 1964 zulu came to world cinemas and became, arguably, one of the greatest british war films of all time. As an american this is a fascinating part of world history that we do not learn much about. A display at the royal engineers museum in gillingham, kent, commemorates chards leadership at rorkes drift and includes the webley revolver he used in the battle. Starring michael caine in his first major movie role, zulu is seen as a largely accurate portrayal of the events of the battle of rorkes drift. The martinihenry was a breechloading singleshot leveractuated rifle used by the british army. Ltc frank bourne, the last survivor of the epic rorkes. Measured against the production standards of modern warfilms, zulu certainly shows its age. As many men were extracted as possible, the remaining patients perishing in the flames. In december 1878 sir bartle frere, the british high commissioner for south africa, issued an ultimatum to cetshwayo, the. Watch zulu 1964 full movie free online streaming tubi. Zulu dawn internet movie firearms database guns in. The film recounts the battle of rorkes drift in 1879 when some 150 british soldiers held off around 4,000 warrior tribesmen whose land they.
Feb 28, 2014 a brief video of the victoria cross winners at rorkes drift 1879 as heard in the 1964 epic movie zulu. A huge force of zulus attacked a small british garrison, but was eventually repelled after more than 12 hours of bitter fighting. Zulu wars 1879 battle of rorkes drift and battle of. While they can be listed under strength, their limited participation in the battle has to be made clear. Rorke s drift rorke s drift rorke s drift iridis rorkes drift a zulu perspective the defense of rorke s drift the battle of rorke s drift. The true story of the battle of rorkes drift not a lot of. The battle of rorke s drift, also known as the defence of rorke s drift, was a battle in the anglozulu war.
A dramatization of the battle of isandlwana, where the british army met its match against the zulu nation. Crucible of honour ties in with brutal valor to bring rorkes drift into context with the battle of isandlwana. Set on fire and stormed by the zulus, it became untenable. The film recounts the battle of rorkes drift in 1879 when some 150 british soldiers held off around 4,000 warrior tribesmen whose land they had invaded. Battle of isandlwana rorkes drift great military battles. The untold story of the film zulu starring michael caine, 50 years on. Jul 28, 20 an army of 4,000 zulu warriors have already decimated a huge british garrison. Zulu dawn internet movie firearms database guns in movies. Zulu 1964 drama, history, war stanley baker, jack hawkins. Oldboy japanese film where a teenage biker tetsuo shima has a psychic power.
It shows how 150 british soldiers, many of whom were sick and wounded patients in a field hospital, successfully held off a force of 4,000 zulu warriors. Rorkes drift roll of the men who fought at rorkes drift the first invasion first column isandhlwana a survivors account. Outnumbered british soldiers do battle with zulu warriors at rorke s drift. The film stars peter otoole, burt lancaster, simon ward and denholm elliott and dramatizes the events at and leading up to the battle of isandlwana, which occurred right before the battle of rorkes drift, which occurred later that day the following weapons were used in. This battle took place on 2223 january 1879 during the zulu war 1879. In victoria cross ii deluxe edition you get to lead either the british, or zulu army in the game for the desparate struggle for the small mission outpost at rorkes drift. The film stars peter otoole, burt lancaster, simon ward and denholm elliott and dramatizes the events at and leading up to the battle of isandlwana, which occurred right before the battle of rorke s drift, which occurred later that day. This is a very limited overview of the events at rorkes drift, i believe the portion on the battle takes up less than fifty percent of the book. In later years, the events of rorkes drift were immortalised by the 1964 british war film, zulu, which depicted the events of january 22nd 1879 in grand, bigscreen fashion. Major gonville bromhead vc 29 august 1845 9 february 1891 was a british army officer and recipient of the victoria cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of the british armed forces. The battle of rorkes drift, also known as the defence of rorkes drift, was a battle in the anglozulu war. The battle of rorkes drift has entered british folklore thanks to the 1964 movie. The maps included are detailed and i particularly liked the maps of the mission at rorkes drift during the stages of retreat right up to the last stand position.
An army of 4,000 zulu warriors have already decimated a huge british garrison. Zulu is a 1964 british epic war film depicting the battle of rorke s drift between the british army and the zulus in january 1879, during the anglozulu war. Rorkes drift was a former trading post named after james rorke, an irish merchant. In december 1878 sir bartle frere, the british high commissioner for south africa, issued an ultimatum to cetshwayo, the zulu king, that was designed to be impossible to. Mar 17, 2017 the battle of rourke s drift was a famed engagement of the 1879 anglozulu warthat saw over 4,000 zulus attack the british outpost of rourke s drift. The battle of rorkes drift on 2223 january 1879 was part of the. Also included is the battle that destroyed a british army, isandlwana. The nnc foot company can not be listed under strength or casualties, as it did not engage in the battle of rorkes drift. Mace, the first i heard of rorkes drift read from the movie zulu. The battle of rourkes drift was a famed engagement of the 1879 anglozulu warthat saw over 4,000 zulus attack the british outpost of rourkes drift. The battle of rorkes drift took place in the anglozulu war. That is perhaps the line that most people remember from the 1964 film, zulu.
Rorkes drift battle was war crime scene world news the. Zulu 1964 movie final battle including men of harlech song. Mar 23, 2020 before this answer can be explained, the movie version must be dispelled. The battle of rorke s drift, also known as the defence of rorke s drift, was an engagement in the anglozulu war. The film recounts the battle of rorke s drift in 1879 when some 150 british soldiers held off around 4,000 warrior tribesmen whose land they had invaded. Some details of the films account are, however, historically inaccurate for example, in the movie the regiment is called the south wales borderers, but the unit was. The zulus next fix their sights on the small british outpost at rorkes drift. Rorkes drift rorkes drift rorkes drift iridis rorkes drift a zulu perspective the defense of rorkes drift the battle of rorkes drift. The aftermath of the battle is well explored with detailed accounts from those that were there. Maintaining effective fire with martinihenry rifles and absoulute. The successful defence of the mission station of rorke s drift, under the command of lieutenants john chard of the royal engineers and gonville bromhead, began when a large contingent of zulu warriors broke off from their main force during the final hour of the british defeat at the. Before this answer can be explained, the movie version must be dispelled. Battle of rourkes drift the battle of rourkes drift.
At the outpost are one hundred fifty british troops under the. The battle of rorkes drift of 2223 january 1879 was refought in 2018 when a london underground employee wrote an account of the siege on dollis hill tube stations notice board to mark its 9th anniversary. Welsh actor stanley baker portrayed chard in the 1964 film zulu which depicted the defence of rorkes drift. The film recounts the battle of rorkes drift in 1879 when some. The defence of the mission station of rorke s drift. The british had just gotten their butts kicked at isandhlwana which remains the greatest defeat by british forces at the hands of natives in history and they needed to mitigate the damage. Apr 28, 2003 more victoria crosses 11 were awarded to the troops at rorke s drift than at any other single battle by the british army. The hospital at the western end of the fortifications became the focus for the fighting.
Come nightfall, chard and bromhead gave the order to withdraw to the center of the mission station. Whilst the film was not a documentary and for the sake of a good story the historical facts may have been. British forces invaded zululand on 11 january 1879. Historical war drama about the battle of rorkes drift.
Zulu is a 1964 epic war film depicting the battle of rorkes drift between the british army and the zulus in january 1879, during the anglozulu. The battle where 150 british soldiers held off 4,000 zulu warriors, immortalized in the famous movie, zulu. When you think about the british army in the 19th century especially at the battle of rorkes drift, one has to think of the martinihenry rifle. The defence of rorkes drift is considered by historians as a masterly defensive action and an example of heroism against overwhelming numbers. Rorkes drift, as the zulus would have first seen it looking up the incline to the hospital, and the steep ledge private hook at the other end of the hospital, stated how the zulus were checked by the fire from the hospital and that from the storehouse, and forced to take cover less than fifty yards from the rear wall. Outnumbered british soldiers do battle with zulu warriors at rorkes drift. Sep 29, 2019 paintings and drawings relating to the defence of rorkes drift, 1879. But the story of the film is almost as remarkable as what it. So it seems appropriate to reproduce the vintage magazines article, a day in the life of lt john chard, royal engineers 22 january 1879. The defence of the mission station of rorkes drift. The true story of the battle of rorkes drift not a lot.
1578 669 343 248 1339 1605 592 880 1601 1429 580 852 460 131 1033 121 1359 226 653 1318 19 1352 1581 1271 946 433 1140 236 1478 1048 1429 630 1102 286 323 1324 589 1495 618 41