Page 43 - All About History - Issue 38-16

The Battle of Rorke’s Drift

10 The Zulus retreat 09last few bullets Zulu Kingdom
Down to the
The attackers have no idea that the
British are down to their last few bullets. With Another attack would surely finish the TROOPS 4,500
the body count racking up, the leaders decide British off, but the exhausted Zulus can
to call off the assault. If they had pushed just now only muster sporadic attacks. This
a little bit harder, they may have taken the is perfect timing, with not much fight
compound. After 12 hours of fighting, the left in the British.
attacks cease completely at 4.30am, and the
British have lasted through one hell of a night.

08 The storehouse

Away from the carnage unfolding
at the barricade, the Zulus are mounting one
last attack on the storehouse. Their advance is
curtailed by Second Corporal Francis Attwood,
who is picking off the attackers from a window
and preventing them from setting a second
building on fire. Back in the main fray, the
outer wall has been abandoned and the final
stage of the battle is about to take place.
DABULAMANZI
KAMPANDE
LEADER
The half brother of the Zulu King,
he defied direct orders for the
10 opportunity to defeat the British at
Rorke’s Drift.
Strengths Headstrong desire to
drive the British from his homeland.
Weakness ‘Bull horn’ formation
ineffectual against British bullets.

08 01

ZULU WARRIOR
UNIT
A citizen army called up at times
of war. They received their training
from the legendary Zulu warrior and
04 king, Shaka.
Strengths Unrivalled skill with an
assegai spear.
Weakness Minimal training in
wielding firearms.

06 Fire and ame 07 The nal charge ASSEGAI

As dusk is nearing, the hospital’s thatched
roof is set on fire. Fighting continues through the Another wall has been built KEY WEAPON
evening and the inferno helps illuminate the battle. As in preparation for one last stand. The A light spear made of wood with
the fire begins to subside, the attacks show their first rampart only allows the Zulus through in an iron tip that was thrust into an
signs of weakness, as the warriors are now charging in narrow waves, which helps to nullify their
intermittent waves rather than a full-frontal assault. As strength in numbers. The barrier is so high enemy’s abdomen.
the attacks become more piecemeal, the British can that several of the British soldiers now Strengths Easy to wield. Could be
anticipate where the waves will come from. have an elevated position to fire from. thrown or held.
Weakness Shorter than a bayonet
so difficult to get in close. © Corbis, Edward Crooks

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