Minute by blood-soaked minute, the TRUE story of Zulu: Heart-stopping graphic account of the greatest last stand in British history 140 years ago this week

Lieutenant John Chard of the Royal Engineers, the senior officer at Rorke’s Drift mission station on the border of the Zulu kingdom, is in his tent writing a letter home.

Suddenly his peace is disturbed by two soldiers arriving on horseback, shouting that a British force has been massacred and that thousands of Zulus are heading his way.

It is January 22, 1879 — 140 years ago next week. The British Army, keen to expand its territory in South Africa, has just invaded Zululand after the Zulu leader King Cetshwayo refused to accept British control. Lieutenant General Lord Chelmsford, the British commander, boasted: ‘I shall show them how hopelessly inferior they are to us in fighting power.’

He could not have been more wrong. Twenty-thousand of King Cetshwayo’s men attacked 1,700 British soldiers camped at Isandlwana, and massacred almost all of them.

Now, a huge force of warriors is heading for the tiny Rorke’s Drift encampment, and one of the most famous battles in British history is about to explode into life.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6608779/Minute-blood-soaked-minute-TRUE-story-Zulu.html

Very interesting account and recommend reading as well as the book "Zulu Risinng" By Ian Knight. Which is account of both Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana.

Hi Thor

This is my favourite film. I've read lots aswell. The men were so brave to take them on, and the Zulu's only stopped attacking when they saw troops approaching.

I feel for the Zulu's, they were lied to and their land taken away. Chelmsford crossed the river into their land and caused all this. Gladstone the PM would never speak to him and complained to Queen Victoria about him and what he did. She liked Chelmsford, and allowed him carte blanche on Zulu land, where they were defeated.. The rest is history.

magica wrote:Hi Thor

This is my favourite film. I've read lots aswell. The men were so brave to take them on, and the Zulu's only stopped attacking when they saw troops approaching.

I feel for the Zulu's, they were lied to and their land taken away. Chelmsford crossed the river into their land and caused all this.  Gladstone the PM would never speak to him and complained to Queen Victoria about him and what he did.  She liked Chelmsford, and allowed him carte blanche on Zulu land, where they were defeated..  The rest is history.

Hi Magica

The British started this war and after a commision found in favour of the Zulu's. That was a crime in itself. The defense was definately heroic, but it could have been very different. If the Zulu's had of had Martini Henry rifles. Its possible they may have had one of two. Yet this group of Zulu's was not actually in the battle of Isandlwana. They were in reserve and only help mop up those trying to flee. So its unlikely they got their hands on many of these guns.No British soldier was killed or wounded by a round from this weapon, but were from other older guns that the Zulu's had. Which only had poor ranges. Many of the rifles were picked up by the Zulu's involved in the battle though. So when you see the Zulu's in the hills firing down on the camp. They really never had the rrifles from the dead at the battle of Isandlwana. If they did, it could have seriously cause major problems for the defenders, who were exposed from above

Still its a great film

Yes it is Thor. Also many of the Zulu's at Rorkes Drift were different fighters to those at Isandlwana. They were not meant to attack the mission, but were so fired up from Isandlwana aswell as the ones who missed out surrounded the mission. An easy victory, or so they thought.

Our men were heroic. Many VC's earned that day

Yes it is Thor. Also many of the Zulu's at Rorkes Drift were different fighters to those at Isandlwana. They were not meant to attack the mission, but were so fired up from Isandlwana aswell as the ones who missed out surrounded the mission.  An easy victory, or so they thought.

Our men were heroic. Many VC's earned that day