Anglo Zulu War 1879
During the reign of Queen Victoria, the British army fought many campaigns throughout the Empire but it was the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 that seized the public imagination. The most well known battles of the Anglo Zulu War are the defeat at Isandlwana followed by the heroic stand at Rorkes Drift. However, there is so much more to the Anglo Zulu War. It saw the death of the heir to the Napoleonic dynasty – Louis Napoleon, the exiled Prince Imperial had volunteered to fight with the British in Zululand. Did the defeat at Isandlwana help trigger the collapse of the Disraeli government in London? What is certain is that by the end of the 6 month war, the most feared warrior nation in Africa were soundly beaten.
Cetshwayo had become absolute ruler of the Zulus in 1873 following the death of his father. His uncle, Shaka, had built the Zulu kingdom and among other things, introduced the famous ‘Horns of the Buffalo’ tactic on the battlefield. The power of the Zulu nation was a concern the British in Natal and eventually an ultimatum was issued which included disbanding the Zulu army. Naturally, there is no way the Zulus would ever agree to the terms and on 11 January 1879, the large central column led by Lord Chelsmford (4,709 officers & men, 303 wagons & carts and 1,507 oxen) crossed the Buffalo River and headed north into Zululand.
The 22 January 1879 saw two of the most famous battles in British military history. Lord Chelmsford had split his force and led half the men off to look for the Zulu impi leaving over 1,000 men camp at the foot of Isandlwana. Men who survived said they never had such an impending feeling of evil and it was here that a force of 25,000 Zulus massacred the men at the camp with just 50 men escaping with their lives out of nearly 1,700.
Later that day, a smaller force of around 4,500 Zulus crossed the Buffalo River into Natal and attacked the British at the mission station at Rorke’s Drift. Here it was a different story with 139 men holding off the Zulus all night. It was a close thing as the defenders were down to just 600 rounds of ammunition out of a store of 20,000 when the Zulus finally withdrew.
The 6 month campaign saw a series of battles resulting in victories for both sides but ultimately, the British were victorious with the decisive battle at Ulundi lasting less than 90 minutes. Cetshwayo was eventually captured a few weeks later and the Zulu nation was defeated.
Visiting KwaZulu Natal
The Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal are generally quite a long way from the major centres of Johannesburg and Durban so you will have to plan to spend at least one night in the area.
For more information about self-drive visits to the Zulu Battlefields, visit www.southafricaholidaysblog.co.uk
Escorted Tours
Leger Holidays are the UK’s leading Battlefield Tours operator. All their tours are escorted by a Specialist Battlefields Guide. Full information about their current tours, availability and prices can be found on their website.
