Description
(1879) The Battle of Rorke’s Drift, was an engagement in the Anglo-Zulu War. The successful British defense of the mission station of Rorke’s Drift, began when a large contingent of Zulu warriors broke off from their main force at the day-long Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879, diverting 6 miles (9.7 km) to attack the British, under the command of Lieutenants John Chard of the Royal Engineers and Gonville Bromhead, 24th Regiment of Foot at Rorke’s Drift later that day and continuing into the following day. The massive but piecemeal attacks by the Zulu on Rorke’s Drift came very close to defeating the much smaller garrison, but were consistently repelled. Just over 150 British and colonial troops defended the station against attacks by 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded among the defenders, along with a number of other decorations and honors.