|
|
The Zulu War
The Zulu War was one of many small, late
Victorian colonial wars, fought against ill equipped opposition.
The British usually won these wars but often not without a great
deal of huffing and puffing. They are not as impressive as the
battles fought by Wellington or Marlborough but despite this the
Zulu War is interesting. The Zulus, who would not have conceived
of themselves as anything other than a great kingdom defeated
close to 2000 men at Isandhlwana. What directly followed this was
the defence of Rorke's Drift, which inspired the film Zulu. As if
this was not enough the Zulus also manged to end of the
Napoleonic imperial line when the Zulus ambushed Napoleon III's
son and killed him.
Click below for pages charting the progress of the Zulu war.
British and Zulu battle tactics
Further reading
If you want to read up on this war here are some recommended books.
"The Washing of the Spears." - Donald Morris 1965 (Jonathan Cape)
This is a fantastic read and ranges far beyond its subject matter. The battles are exciting to read about. Modern writers say that there are some inaccuracies but all would recommend it as a model of its kind. It is also available in paperback.
"The Red Soldier" - Frank Emery 1977 (Hodder and Stoughton)
Also available in paperback (Jonathan Ball - South Africa). A collection of letters from soldiers and others during the Zulu War. Not as dry as it sounds as there are many first hand accounts.
"The Silver Wreath" - Norman Holme 1979 (Samson Books)
About the 24th regiment. Lists those killed at Isandhlwana together with accounts by survivors. Also accounts/letters from Rorkes Drift and a letter to Queen Victoria, with drawings, describing the defence. This was done by Chard, who commanded the garrison at the time. There are also biographies of everyone connected with both battles. Maybe a bit of an anoraks book but it is one of my favourites - and rare to get hold of.
"Narrative of the Field operations connected with the Zulu War of 1879"
Produced by the War Office two years after the event. Good maps. Available from Greenhill Books as a reprint.
"In Zululand" - Charles L.Norris Newman (1880)
Newman was a journalist who covered the war in a lively style. Also a Greenhill reprint.
"Zulu - Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift 22-23 January 1879" - Ian Knight (Windrow and Green)
There are lots of accounts of this war, many of which cover the same ground, but mention should be made of this writer who is practically a book producing industry in his own right. I think this is the best because it concentrates and analyses two events in detail.
