The Disastrous Anglo-Zulu War

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The Anglo-Zulu War erupts as British troops cross into the Zulu Kingdom of present-day South Africa. Behind King Cetshwayo, the mighty Zulu warriors make a defiant stand against the largest empire on earth in fateful battles at Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, and Ulundi. What follows is disastrous and fateful British vs. Zulu combat.
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SOURCES

David, S. (2004). Zulu : the heroism and tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879. Penguin.

Knight, I. (2002). Isandlwana, 1879: The great zulu victory. Osprey.

Knight, I., & McBride, A. (2004). Zulu 1816-1906. Osprey.

Laband, J. (1997). The rise and fall of the Zulu Nation. Arms and Armour Press.

Morris, D. R. (1969). The washing of the Spears. Sphere Books.

[GEL_]

Craziest part is a solar eclipse during the battle, like what are the odds.

[MorroTreece]

The British were equipped with Martini-Henry rifles, the fired a massive round. Can't imagine what it took to just charge into a line of British soldiers, volley firing that thing.

[Shadow-]

Imagine being a Brit and hearing the Zulu chants, and then seeing chaos unfold as tens of thousands of Zulu charge in your direction… bone chilling.

[newalbion]

People do realise that Shaka Zulu literally Genocided all around him and absorbed what was left of the African peoples into his ranks ! This is how he grew his empire so incredibly large. He literally waged war on all surrounding African tribes and all who stood in his way were slaughtered. He was assassinated by his own brothers because of his blood lust and paranoia.

[klcmd]

"It will be endured by millions of Zulus who speak still in the old tongue... sing and dance in the royal tradition... and tell stories of a great kingdom that, for a moment, triumphed against the British Empire."

Beautiful line.

[TheWestIsDead]

Fun fact. One of Napoleon's grandsons died fighting against the Zulus while serving in the British army.

[buffdude]

I’m a student of history and you guys have been killing it lately. Definitely my favorite, and imo the best history channel on YouTube.

[scottwarwick]

My Great Great Grandfather, Charles Sparks, was one of the few survivors of the Battle of Isandlwana. He was ordered by his commanding officer to ride on horseback to the nearest British outpost, to notify the rest of the army of the severe loss suffered by the British. Still have his medals, notes and other memorabilia.

His son, my Great Grandfather, served in both WWI and WWII as a career soldier. His fields of battle included the Somme (Battle of Delville Wood), German East Africa and then North Africa in WWII.

Interestingly, my Great Great Uncle on my father’s side (George Warwick) was also in the Somme with the South African brigade, albeit in a different unit. He was lucky to come out of that battle with nothing more than wounds, as the Battle of Delville Wood resulted in around 766 men of the 3150 man Brigade being killed, and only 750 or so making it out unwounded. George Warwick actually faked his age in order to join, something which purely speaks to the era.

My family and I still live in South Africa.

[manqobalinda]

As a zulu, I want to personally thank you for your deep in-depth research, you have inspired me greatly, thank you for respecting my peoples history and sharing this

[naledimyabi]

As a Zulu South African who’s been subscribed to this channel since the earliest days, I’m happy to see our stories told. I’m so grateful for this channel. Consistently producing well researched high quality content is not be easy. Keep it up History dose crew.

[Solkerash]

I can’t help but find it honorable that the Zulus even stood up to the British. Even when it became clear they would probably lose, they still fought ferociously.

[Stoffies]

As a South African, this video was amazing! I just wish our department of education and government wasn't as secretive/hushed about this time periode of our country(ies). We barely learn about the Brits, Zulus, other African tribes or the Boere. It's really sad because the government acts as if nothing ever happened wich is just wrong. We south africans should be proud of who we are. We all should understand that are ancestors did wrongful things. Me, a Boer, wil admit that atrocities were committed, but so should british and Zulu descends. We should be proud to see how we have changed. Anyways I'm getting sidetracked, just annoyed that we only learn of this stuff in one term..

Edit: I have just been informed by someone in the replies that you do learn about it in Grade 10 Topic 4 in the CAPS curriculum. Though I do not know the extent of the teaching. Also to clear up some misconceptions, I stated that we "barely" learn about it, not that we don't at all.
If you want to know more you should feel free to research it

(P. S. I do still stand with my statement that we should be taught more about the time frame as, as far as I'm aware it is only in one topic and in Grade 10 History is a choice subject. Would be nice if they taught us it in Grade 9 or 8, where History is a subject you have to take)

[MarvoloSalazar]

From this African, I really love how you narrate your videos man. Its always so immersive to me. One of the best history channels on YouTube

[nekhumonta]

It’s brave that they stuck together facing such a powerful adversary. The British Empire, much like the Romans before them often used the tactic of divide and conquer. Basically making one tribe fight the other to spare British troops. They didn’t manage to do that with the Zulu.

[sirborkington]

Other casualties of the opening battle:
Over 1, 300 killed:
52 officers
727 British regulars
476 others including:
343 African Natal Native Contingent
133 European Colonial troops

A lot of the time when I hear people cover the Battle of Isandlwana it seems like people often ignore the other troops. Maybe because a victory over only British forces is sounds more impressive or killing of other African and colonial troops is harder to sit with.

[BHuang]

Lt. Bromhead: [shouting at Zulus] Well, what are you waiting for? Come on! Come on!
[The Zulus begin another musical war-chant.]
Bromhead: Those bastards! They're taunting us!
Adendorff: [Realizing what the Zulus are really doing, he begins to laugh] No, you couldn't be more wrong! They're saluting you. They're saluting fellow braves!

[mthunzidumakude]

As a Zulu man, who has watched this channels videos for so long, i am beaming with pride to see my people featured here. Thank you so much! All the way from Margate, KwaZulu-Natal!!!!

[Ironpyrites]

In the book "Great military blunders" Geoffrey Regan he gives a good account of the Battle of Isandlwana, the crux being an obstinate quartermaster who refused to give out ammunition to soldiers without a chitty despite the Zulus being a few meters from them.

[Vortikel]

"They disembowel them, as to allow their souls to escape through their stomach. Lest the Zulus be haunted by a trapped spirit."

Metal.

[ryangunniers]

The best history channel on YouTube strikes again