Battle Stack: The Battle of Rorke's Drift tactics

The battle of Rorke's Drift was fought in 1879. A force of 4,000 Zulus attacked a camp defended by 140 British soldiers. Find out who won in this animated battle tactics video!

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[Baskerville]

The tiny force at Rorke's Drift only highlighted the value of good defensive disposition of troops; something that was neglected at Isandlwana.

[justin]

This really puts the whole battle into perspective and makes it easier to see what occurred.

[jeffvanmeter]

The statistic of the British losing 17 men in over 12 hours of sustained fighting is one of that are so mind-boggling; I think most people who first read about the battle, assume that it has to be a typo.

Ironically, in the 1963 film "Zulu;" which is a dramatization of the battle, 31 British soldiers are shown getting killed.

[rusrus]

There is a Documentary on here off the great great grandson of the Zulu leader king..He said the Zulu Prince Talked about the british at Rorke's drift having such a ferocious GUN Volley firing line it pretty much wiped out the harder Zulu soldiers and then leaving the older Zulu warriors to fight, but where to shaken "Hence why they retreated". There were No british reinforcements for a least 2 days after that battle..Great respect for the Zulus and the British men on that day..Both hard as nails!

[stoutdog]

Thanks for the history lesson. I saw this movie at the theater when I was about 10 or 11 back in the mid-sixties. I thought the scene with the rotating rifle volleys was so cool. I never knew the result of the battle until now. Those British soldiers were tough, disciplined and brave warriors. I loved the uniforms especially the pith helmets.

[jackofswords]

The Zulu didn't just have old muskets. They had hundreads of Martini-Henry rifles captured at Islanwana with plenty of ammo. The problem was that the Zulus weren't trained to use the rifles properly and their aiming was very poor.

[Mulberry]

William Jones who fought at this battle is buried in Phillip's park cemetery, Clayton, Manchester. England. He was buried in a paupers grave. I have visited his grave numerous times. There are other people who fought in the battle - buried in the same cemetery.

[rosicroix]

It says alot of the quality of english biscuits, being tough enough to be used as defensive positions

[James-legl]

Thank you very much for this short presentation. I fave watched the film “ZULU” several times, but this puts it all in perspective.

[VentiVonOsterreich]

Zulus attack,
Fight back to back,
Show them no mercy,
Fire at will,
Kill or be killed,
Facing, awaiting,

[kurackurackurac]

Even with cartoonish graphics like this and toy soldiers figurines moving across the screen, this makes my skin crawl. These insanely brave men witnessed, and survived, the deepest heart of darkness imaginable. Fantastic video.

[paullandstrom]

Fine depiction/clarification of battle.

[abbamanic]

First rank..fire, second rank..fire, third rank..fire..Redcoats, they are a wonder of warfare..

[DaxCorsiar]

In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.

- Sun Tzu

[johnny_pilot]

Bravo! A nice, short depiction of the actual events. Well done!

[roganmuldoon]

Valour can only be measured against that of the enemy. If you praise the British soldiers you must also praise the Zulu warriors. Those soldiers EARNED their fame.

[markleng]

This battle has always fascinated me. Thank you, well done.

[troy]

Nicely done, and not too long. Never knew all the details

[shaun]

Thank you Battlestack, nicely done 🇬🇧

[Daracdor]

I say, I say, I say
I have just been playing cards with the natives ..
Zulu`s ?
No ... I won every hand !