Download or read book Witnesses at Isandlwana written by Neil Thornton and published by Fonthill Media. This book was released on 2023-04-16 with total page 714 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On 22 January 1879, British forces in Zululand suffered a shocking and unimaginable defeat at the hands of the Zulus resulting in over 1300 dead, including more than 800 regular British soldiers. But the Zulu victory came at a cost, and their losses were very heavy too. Yet, surprisingly, scattered in archives, museums, and private collections around the world, sits many first-hand accounts from those who were there. Inaccessible to most, these primary sources are vital to our understanding of the battle and how it unfolded, and they shed important light on the experiences of those who were there on that fateful day. British soldiers, those from the colonial forces, civilians, and those Zulu warriors who attacked the camp, all left detailed descriptions of the battle. By bringing these sources together, this book–the largest collection of primary accounts ever gathered on the battle – allows the reader to view all sources under one roof, providing a better understanding of the battle, how it played out, and what those involved witnessed on that monumental day in both British and Zulu history.
Download or read book Witnesses at Isandlwana written by Neil Thornton and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In a comprehensive collection of firsthand testimonies, this book unveils the untold perspectives of British soldiers, colonial forces, civilians, and Zulu warriors to offer insight into the pivotal clash that reshaped history on January 22, 1879. On 22 January 1879, British forces in Zululand suffered a shocking and unimaginable defeat at the hands of the Zulus resulting in over 1300 dead, including more than 800 regular British soldiers. But the Zulu victory came at a cost, and their losses were very heavy too. Yet, surprisingly, scattered in archives, museums, and private collections around the world, sits many first-hand accounts from those who were there. Inaccessible to most, these primary sources are vital to our understanding of the battle and how it unfolded, and they shed important light on the experiences of those who were there on that fateful day. British soldiers, those from the colonial forces, civilians, and those Zulu warriors who attacked the camp, all left detailed descriptions of the battle. By bringing these sources together, this book-the largest collection of primary accounts ever gathered on the battle - allows the reader to view all sources under one roof, providing a better understanding of the battle, how it played out, and what those involved witnessed on that monumental day in both British and Zulu history.
Download or read book How Can Man Die Better written by Mike Snook and published by Frontline Books. This book was released on 2010-05-30 with total page 310 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This chronicle of the first battle in the Anglo-Zulu War is “the most powerful and moving modern account of the great Zulu epic that I have ever read” (Richard Holmes, historian and author of The Age of Wonder). On January 22, 1879, a massive Zulu host attacked the British Army’s 24th Regiment in its encampment at the foot of the mountain of Isandlwana. It was the first major encounter in the Anglo-Zulu War and a disastrous defeat for the colonial power. Later that afternoon the victorious Zulus would strike the tiny British garrison at Rorke’s Drift. How Can Man Die Better is a unique analysis of the Battle of Isandlwana, covering the weapons, tactics, terrain, and the intriguing characters who made key military decisions. While much is still unknown about the battle, this work eschews the commonly held perception that the British collapse was sudden and that the 24th Regiment was quickly overwhelmed. Rather, historian Mike Snook argues that there was a protracted and heroic defense against a determined and equally heroic foe. A British Army colonel who served in South Africa, Snook reconstructs the final phase of the battle in a way that has never been attempted before.
Download or read book Zulu written by Ian Knight and published by Da Capo Press, Incorporated. This book was released on 1993 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is an account of one of the most dramatic episodes in 19th century military history, which continues to exert a unique fascination. On 22nd January 1879 the British military camp at Isandlwana, South Africa, was annihilated by about 20,000 Zulu warriors. Some 1200 troops died under the Zulu spears, half of them British regular infantry of the 24th Foot armed with modern breech-loading rifles. This battle was partly redeemed that evening at the tiny hospital and supply post of Rorke's Drift, successfully held in hand-to-hand fighting against thousands of Zulus by some 140 defenders, only 80 of them able-bodied redcoats.
Download or read book Isandlwana written by Adrian Greaves and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2014-04-19 with total page 383 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The historian and founder of the Anglo-Zulu War Historical Society presents his groundbreaking account of the Battle of Isandlwana. The story of the British Army’s defeat at Iswandlwana in 1879 has been much written about, but never with the detail and insight revealed by the research of Dr. Adrian Greaves. In reconstructing the dramatic and fateful events, Greaves draws on newly discovered letters, diaries and papers of survivors and other contemporaries. These include the contemporary writings of central figures such as Henry Harford, Lt Henry Carling of the Royal Artillery, August Hammar and young British nurse Janet Wells. These historical documents, coupled with Greaves’s own detailed knowledge of Zululand, enable him to paint the most accurate picture yet of this cataclysmic battle that so shamed the British establishment. We learn for the first time of the complex Zulu decoy, the attempt to blame Colonel Durnford for the defeat. Greaves uncovers evidence of another “Fugitives’ Trail” escape route taken by battle survivors, as well as the identity of previously unknown escorts for Lieutenants Coghill and Melville, both awarded Victoria Crosses for trying to save the Colors.
Download or read book Zulu Rising written by Ian Knight and published by Pan. This book was released on 2011 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The battle of iSandlwana was the single most destructive incident in the 150-year history of the British colonization of South Africa. This title shows that the brutality of the battle was the result of an inevitable clash between two aggressive warrior traditions.
Download or read book The Anglo Zulu War Isandlwana written by Ron Lock and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2017-10-30 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A concise history of the Battle of Isandlwana, the first encounter of the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. In 1878, H.M. High Commissioner for Southern Africa and the Lieut. General Commanding H.M. Forces, clandestinely conspired to invade the Zulu Kingdom. Drastically underestimating their foe, the invaders had been vanquished within days of entering the Zulu Kingdom, in one of the greatest disasters ever to befall a British army. The author not only dramatically describes the events leading up to the Battle of Isandlwana, and the battle itself but, with new evidence, disputes many aspects of the campaign long held sacrosanct. Praise for The Anglo Zulu War: Isandlwana “It offers a controversial but compelling account of the battle that underlines the consequences of operational arrogance and underestimating the fighting abilities of a less technologically equipped enemy – something that should resonate with all those who serve.” —Soldier “This is a book that should be on the bookshelves of everyone who is interested in the history of South Africa.” —The South African Military Society
Download or read book Rorke s Drift Diary written by William Penn Symons and published by Uniform Press. This book was released on 2018-02 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: * Official diary of the famous battle at Rorkes Drift* Previously unseen material* National publicity and marketing campaign
Download or read book Zulu Victory written by Ron Lock and published by Frontline Books. This book was released on 2015-11-19 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A densely detailed account of the 1879 Zulu defeat of the British . . . portrays a complex and interesting segment of British/African history.”—Library Journal The battle of Isandlwana—a great Zulu victory—was one of the worst defeats ever to befall a British Army. At noon on 22 January 1879, a British camp, garrisoned by over 1700 troops, was attacked and overwhelmed by 20,000 Zulu warriors. The defeat of the British, armed with the most modern weaponry of the day, caused disbelief and outrage throughout Queen Victoria's England. The obvious culprit for the blunder was Lieutenant General Lord Chelmsford, the defeated commander. Appearing to respond to the outcry, he ordered a court of inquiry. But there followed a carefully conducted cover-up in which Chelmsford found a scapegoat in the dead—most notably, in Colonel Anthony Durnford. Using source material ranging from the Royal Windsor Archives to the oral history passed down to the present Zulu inhabitants of Isandlwana, this gripping history exposes the full extent of the blunders of this famous battle and the scandal that followed. It also gives full credit to the masterful tactics of the 20,000 strong Zulu force and to Ntshingwayo kaMahole, for the way in which he comprehensively out-generalled Chelmsford. This is an illuminating account of one of the most embarrassing episodes in British military history and of a spectacular Zulu victory. The authors superbly weave the excitement of the battle, the British mistakes, the brilliant Zulu tactics and the shameful cover up into an exhilarating and tragic tale. “A must for anyone interested in the Zulu War. Highly recommended.”—British Army Review
Download or read book Blood on the Painted Mountain written by Ron Lock and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The slaughter at Hlobane was second only to that at Isandlwana two months earlier, which ravaged morale in the British Army. This was in part responsible for the highly questionable conduct of some of the officers when faced with the enemy at Hlobane, leading to the British rout at Devil's Pass. Without defeat at Hlobane, however, victory at Kambula might not have been possible: the warriors of the leading Zulu regiments, over-confident after their resounding success, were easily provoked into an ill-judged attack on the enemy camp at Kambula, and exhausted themselves before the British survivors of the previous day's battle set out in pursuit, leaving 1,000 Zulu dead on the Zunguin Plain.
Download or read book Zulu Rising written by Ian Knight and published by Pan Macmillan. This book was released on 2011-05-06 with total page 654 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The battle of iSandlwana was the single most destructive incident in the 150-year history of the British colonisation of South Africa. In one bloody day over 800 British troops, 500 of their allies and at least 2000 Zulus were killed in a staggering defeat for the British empire. The consequences of the battle echoed brutally across the following decades as Britain took ruthless revenge on the Zulu people. In Zulu Rising Ian Knight shows that the brutality of the battle was the result of an inevitable clash between two aggressive warrior traditions. For the first time he gives full weight to the Zulu experience and explores the reality of the fighting through the eyes of men who took part on both sides, looking into the human heart of this savage conflict. Based on new research, including previously unpublished material, Zulu oral history, and new archaeological evidence from the battlefield, this is the definitive account of a battle that has shaped the political fortunes of the Zulu people to this day.
Download or read book The Fall of Rorke s Drift written by John Laband and published by Greenhill Books. This book was released on 2019-02-28 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For fans of Harry Turtledove, an alternate history novel in which Zulu forces triumph over the British at Rorke’s Drift in 1879 and invade Natal. January 1879. The British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom are at war. Lord Carnarvon, Secretary of State for the Colonies, who had successfully brought about federation in Canada in 1867, had believed a similar scheme would work in South Africa. But such plans are rejected by Boer leaders. Lord Chelmsford leads a British military expeditionary force to enter the Zulu Kingdom uninvited. A bloody battle ensues on 22 January 1879 at Isandlwana. The Zulus are the unexpected victors. After that brutal defeat, the British Army are at Rorke’s Drift on the Buffalo River in Natal Province, South Africa. A few hundred British and colonial troops, led by Lieutenants John Chard of the Royal Engineers and Gonville Bromhead, face the might of the Zulu army of thousands led by Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande (CORR). Against the odds, the British are victorious, and this defeat marks the end of the Zulu nation’s dominance of the region. The Defence of Rorke’s Drift would go down in history as an iconic British Empire Battle and inspired Victorian Britain. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to military personnel. But what if the Zulus had defeated the British at Rorke’s Drift and invaded Natal? . . . In the first ever alternate history of the Anglo-Zulu War, historian John Laband asks that question. With his vast knowledge of the Anglo-Zulu War, he turns history on its head and offers a tantalizing glimpse of a very different outcome, weaving a compelling, never-before told story of what could have been.
Download or read book Rorke s Drift and Isandlwana written by Chris Peers and published by Greenhill Books. This book was released on 2021-02-01 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This vivid military history explores two pivotal battles in the 19th century war between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. The battle of Isandlwana on January, 22nd, 1879 was one of the most dramatic episodes in military history. In the morning, 20,000 Zulus overwhelmed the British invading force in one of the greatest disasters ever to befall a British army. Later the same day, a Zulu force of around 3,000 warriors turned their attention to a small outpost at Rorke’s Drift defended by roughly 150 British and Imperial troops. The British victory that ensued—against remarkable odds—would go down as one of the most heroic actions of all time. In this thrilling blow-by-blow account, Chris Peers draws on firsthand testimonies from both sides to piece together the course of the battles as they unfolded. Along the way, he exposes many of the Victorian myths to reveal great acts of bravery as well as cases of cowardice and incompetence. A brief analysis of the aftermath of the battle and notes on the later careers of the key participants completes this gripping exposé of this legendary encounter.
Download or read book In the Shadow of Isandlwana written by John Laband and published by Greenhill Books. This book was released on 2023-10-12 with total page 577 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Lord Chelmsford is not a bad man. He is industrious and conscientious so far as his lights guide him. But nature has refused to him the qualities of a great captain. He has suffered much and is entitled to certain commiseration.” – Thomas Gibson Bowles, Vanity Fair General Lord Chelmsford’s military career took him around the world; he served in the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny and the Abyssinian Expedition, before commanding the British invasion of the Zulu Kingdom in South Africa. In January 1879, disaster struck when Chelmsford divided his forces at Isandlwana in the face of the enemy and the Zulu overwhelmed his camp, killing more than 1,300 of its defenders. Such a defeat was almost unprecedented in a Victorian colonial campaign. Despite Chelmsford's later victories at Gingindlovu and Ulundi, he was humiliatingly relieved of his command. His responsibility for Isandlwana dogged him for the rest of his days, and he would forever be associated with this historic defeat. In this comprehensive new biography, Anglo-Zulu War specialist John Laband, explores the personal character and military career of Lord Chelmsford, providing a well-rounded, well-balanced and well-informed picture of this complex military figure.
Download or read book Durnford 1879 from Isandlwana to Chatham written by Kristine Herron and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2019-08-15 with total page 283 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It has been 140 years since the Battle of Isandhlwana, on 22nd January 1879, when up to 20,000 Zulu Warriors, attacked Regiments of Queen Victoria's Army, killing them all. A career soldier with the Royal Engineers, Colonel Anthony William Durnford was blamed for the disaster by General Chelmsford. He became the General's scapegoat. Much has been written about him over the years, but little has been written of the events peculiar to his life. It takes family to understand their ancestor's characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, qualities, traits and behaviours. His brother wrote a memoir "A Soldier's Life and work in South Africa" 1872 - 1879, which included research to disprove the General's claims. Edward was to write an update in 1886, but didn't, as he was pressured. Anthony Durnford had two families, his ancestral one, which we share, and his military one. Both had one thing in common, to prove that he did "follow orders". His brother investigated and in, 1882 published his findings. The Royal Engineers also investigated and amassed a huge file of evidence, never before seen by the public. The Royal Engineers Evidence file, comprising over 300 pages of fact, has lain hidden from public view, in the drawers of the Royal Engineers Library since 1932. It rebukes much "confirmation bias" of currently held perceptions. This file has been fully transcribed, placed in logical context, and additional research included from the Royal Archives, the National Army Museum and archives in South Africa. "Durnford 1879" comprises 2 volumes and is an extension of Colonel Edward Durnford's research. It could perhaps be described as a Military Mystery, created as a result of Genealogical research and Military History colliding. A story which would not be told, had it been for a series of "mistakes".
Download or read book The Zulu War Then and Now written by Ian Knight and published by After the Battle. This book was released on 1993 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This work is one of the most widley known military campaigns of the Victorian era. The story is presented through the After the Battle series then and now photographic theme and contains graphic eyewitness accounts from both sides which aim to convey what it was like to give battle in the 1870s. Additional chapters cover what remains to be seen today, both on the battlefields and in museums; the lonely and sometimes unmarked and forgotten graves of the participants; the British forts and their ruins; plus accounts of those film productions that have since been made of the 1879 war.
Download or read book Led by Lions written by Neil Thornton and published by Fonthill Media. This book was released on 2017-12-17 with total page 514 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An exciting and fast-paced narrative of over 100 gallant officers who died during the First World WarPacked with incredible stories of individual heroism and sacrificeAssiduously researched, rich in detail and lavishly illustratedForeword by John Bercow, Speaker of the House, and introduction by The Hon. Ian R. K. Paisley MP, Freeman City of London Led by Lions: MPs and Sons Who Fell in the First World War tells the story of over 100 men who went to war and did not return. Many MPs fought in the war and in some instances, they pulled strings to get there. Casualties amongst them were high, but the loss of their sons outweighed their own sacrifice. In this book, Neil Thornton dispels the popular belief that the country’s politicians sat in safety while callously sending the nation’s youth to their deaths. Their own sacrifices, together with those of their sons, are described here in poignant detail, including such names as Tom Kettle, William Gladstone and Raymond Asquith. Others such as Valentine Fleming – father of James Bond author Ian Fleming – and Thomas Agar-Robartes feature alongside them. Recommended for the Victoria Cross for the rescue of casualties under heavy fire, Agar-Robartes’ act would cost him his life, but he would earn the respect of every man under his command. This lavishly illustrated book is a tribute to those MPs and their sons who went to war – never to return.
