A New Book.

"Another interesting story to come from the Zulu War is that of the death of the French Prince Imperial. A great-nephew of Napoleon and son of the Exiled French Emperor Louis Napoleon, the Prince Imperial begged to be allowed to go to South Africa to take part in the war in some capacity. That it was not his war in the first place and that he had no conceivable use was of no consequence, somehow he managed to pull enough strings to be allowed to go to a war that was not his. He was killed in the process. Although his death became something of a cause celebre, modern historians mostly agree that he should not have been there in the first place."

I'm sure this has been wrote about many times.

http://dalyhistory.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/zulu-queen-victorias-most-famous-little-war-by-w-b-bartlett/

The review in the link is the last of several references I have seen that tend to play down the Rorkes drift defence and the VC's won there as a 'distraction from the disaster of Isandlwana'.

While I have the most absolute respect for the men of the 24th who fell at Isand - tough bugga's indeed - if anything , the defenders of RD deserve the greater praise - outnumbered to a greater degree than the force at Isand they could have, should have, been swamped and overwhelmed by the 3500-4000 Zulu opposing them - mealie bags and biscuit boxes notwithstanding.

The only thing to consider is that only 11 VC's were awarded for the RD fight, which is surely one of the British Armies most memorable WINS !!

(Why do we celebrate and commemorate 'our' defeats more than 'our' victories? - dashed odd are the sons of Albion)

Ok, Spas over :)

Cheers

Aidan

Charge of the light Brigade?
England Rugby Team.?
England Cricket Team?
England Football team?

C'mon Aidan they have had lots of practice. :lol!:

Sorry Guys!