If the Zulu’s at Rorke’s Drift had launched another attack

If the Zulu’s at Rorke’s Drift had launched another attack. Would the outcome have been different? Would the defenders have been able to fight off this attack?
The defenders had retreated to the redoubt, which was their last defensive fighting position. Would they have enough ammunition, would the rifles have able to continue with more continuous fire? Would the men have been physically up to it?
The Zulu’s has we know were physically exhausted. But would their overwhelming numbers have been enough to take Rorke’s Drift.
And what would Chelmsford had done, if had arrived at Rorke’s Drift to find a couple of thousand Zulu’s.

Subject: another attack Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:59 am

hi littlehand.
All the literature i have read on RORKES DRIFT basically says the same thing, one more attack and it was more than likely another disaster, varying accounts exist to the amount of ammunition that was remaining from half a box to a couple of boxes, either way it wouldn"t have been enough. The only reason they werent finished off , was the timely arrival of chelmsford with the remainder of his column, the zulus had massed for another attack, but withdrew when they saw chelmsford. As for chelmsford what he would have done if the camp had fallen, i think he would have had no choice but to take it back, as was his plan when he marched back to isandlwana the previous evening.
cheers 90th.

Posts : 1862 Join date : 2009-03-25

The British were all exhausted, and were running low on ammunition as well.
In the morning, the British could see that the Zulus had gone; all they see was vast piles of dead. Patrols were dispatched to check the battlefield, and recover rifles, as well as looking for survivors.Around 7am a large army of Zulus appeared, and the British once again manned their positions. But no attack materialised. The Zulus were utterly exhausted having been on the move for six days before the battle, also they had not eaten for nearly two. It is safe to say that the defenders at Rorke’s Drift could not have held out much longer, as ammunition was running perilously low and the strength of the men had been severely shattered. If Chelmsford column had not arrived when it did, it is open to question whether the account would have ended as it did.

What is often disregarded is that the battle at Rorke's Drift could have ended the same as Isandlwana, The major difference being, Rorke's Drift was a supply depot, The British soldiers who defended it, had unlimited supplies of ammunition. My point being once the ammunition and been expended. The superior firepower of the British would have been lost. The Battle would turn, and numerically the Zulu’s would be stronger and base on their human wave attacks, the final battle would have ended before it started.

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

I think you hit the nail on the head Admin. They could not have stood up to another series of attacks. But I bet they would have gone down fighting.

» With Reference to the Zulu Regiment/s, that attack Rorke’s drift.
» Zulu with Martini-Henry rifle at Rorke's Drift?
» Zulu Wars & Rorke's Drift