Heroes and scoundrels

THE defence of Rorke’s Drift over the evening and night of January 22, 1879, when a force of about 160 British and colonial troops held off a Zulu army that outnumbered them 20 to one, was among the most celebrated engagements of Imperial history. Not only were there many acts of heroism—11 VCs and four DCMs were awarded—but it served to lessen the shame of the Battle of Isandlwana earlier that day, in which 1,300 British regulars had been overwhelmed.

The Drift, or ford, was the site ofcontained several errors, including the defenders singing rather than