BritinBritain
Per Ardua Ad Astra
I visited both Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift with my son, if anyone is interested I have added some photographs of the battle fields.
Much has been written about the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift some of which is pure fiction. The movie “Zulu” was fairly accurate in some ways, although with some glaring inaccuracies.
(1)The terrain around Rorke's Drift is nothing like that as shown on the movie.
(2)British Troops never sang “Men of Harlech” in Welsh or English during the battle.
(3)It is depicted in the movie that the 24th Regiment of Foot as a Welsh Regiment, when in fact it was the 2nd Warwickshires, an English Regiment. The Regiment was not named the South Wales Borderer's until 1st July 1881.
(4)The Zulu's did not salute the British Garrison at the end of the battle. Lord Chelmsford's column was seen approaching, resulting in the departure of the Zulu's.
(5)The redoubt shown in the movie was massive, when in reality it was only 9 feet across at its widest point.
(6)In one scene in the movie, a soldier with his back to the redoubt is seen firing a bolt action rifle.
(7)Lt Chard did not assume command of the Garrison because of seniority over Lt Broomhead, Lt Chard was in fact ordered to take command.
At the start of the battle, some 20,000 rounds of ammunition were available, at the end of the battle 600 rounds were left, or approximately 4 rounds per man.
Much has been written about the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift some of which is pure fiction. The movie “Zulu” was fairly accurate in some ways, although with some glaring inaccuracies.
(1)The terrain around Rorke's Drift is nothing like that as shown on the movie.
(2)British Troops never sang “Men of Harlech” in Welsh or English during the battle.
(3)It is depicted in the movie that the 24th Regiment of Foot as a Welsh Regiment, when in fact it was the 2nd Warwickshires, an English Regiment. The Regiment was not named the South Wales Borderer's until 1st July 1881.
(4)The Zulu's did not salute the British Garrison at the end of the battle. Lord Chelmsford's column was seen approaching, resulting in the departure of the Zulu's.
(5)The redoubt shown in the movie was massive, when in reality it was only 9 feet across at its widest point.
(6)In one scene in the movie, a soldier with his back to the redoubt is seen firing a bolt action rifle.
(7)Lt Chard did not assume command of the Garrison because of seniority over Lt Broomhead, Lt Chard was in fact ordered to take command.
At the start of the battle, some 20,000 rounds of ammunition were available, at the end of the battle 600 rounds were left, or approximately 4 rounds per man.
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