Rorke's Drift - Zulus

[One N@tion]

Rorke's Drift, Wednesday 22- Thursday 23 January, 1879, when some 150 soldiers defended a supply station against some 4000 Zulus, aided by the Martini-Henry rifle 'with some guts behind it'

I think Rorke's Drift is one of the most well know battles that the British army has fought in. I think it was also a very important battle that Britain needed to win.

What do you think ??

[Sven]

I think it was also a very important battle that Britain needed to win.

Err, not sure about this point mate. Actually I rate it was an insignificant sideshow in the larger picture. Not debating the bravery of the chaps involved - they faught and survived in the face of incredible odds. But have you ever thaught how brave those Zulu warriors must have been? Christ ! And it was a great film But I rate, for example, the Battle of the Atlantic as a much more significant battle - to name just one. The guys on those convoys were something else.

[El Prez]

I think that Dan's suggestion regarding your dual identity has more than a touch of credence. Bearing in mind your assertion that you have studied Army History, and Britain's Wars to the Nth degree.
These "I think............ what do you think?" posts are boring and urbane, especially as the subject of Rorke's Drift has been covered extensively elsewhere.

Michael Caine anyone?

[may18]

I wouldnt say it was a vital battle, but bravery both sides, exceptional

i read an account of it once.

Apparently the stuff about the zullus @saluting warriors@ is partly true the zulu kng remarked

@they are men@

[One N@tion]

I think that Dan's suggestion regarding your dual identity has more than a touch of credence. Bearing in mind your assertion that you have studied Army History, and Britain's Wars to the Nth degree.
These "I think............ what do you think?" posts are boring and urbane, especially as the subject of Rorke's Drift has been covered extensively elsewhere.

Michael Caine anyone?

For the last time for the people in the CHEAP SEATS, I am not this person you call Drum @ Bass Soldier. I have proved that already, now if you read my post back to Dan you would have seen all his points I answered. They were poor points, and if you choose to believe them well that's agenda.

Bearing in mind your assertion that you have studied Army History, and Britain's Wars to the Nth degree. - I want you to explain exactly what you mean ?

I would have not created this topic if I had seen it any where else on this site now would I. And I have not seen a topic on Rorke's Drift on this site I even searched for the topic and nothing came up but this one. So where are they ??

"I think............ what do you think?" posts are boring and urbane. Simple don't read them then, makes perfect sense to me.

[pbeattie]

Have only just finished reading one of the numerous accounts available on the web about Rorkes drift and no the Zulus did NOT salute the soldiers at the mission they could see what Chard and his men coult not - Lord Clemsford column marching up the road from Islaldlwana, or what was let of them. They decided to leg it because they were more exhausted than the Brits.
There is a lot in the film that is pure fiction (shame really they were not even a Welsh Company but from Gloucestershire)
Peter

[pbeattie]

Sorry I think they were from Warwickshire
Peter

[dan]

Actually, I let the arguement go-I have no desire to get caught up in a silly disagreement -but I do believe that my points stand. Replying with 'coincedence' to several of my comparisons is an equally 'poor' response to my 'poor' (but numerous) points. Once last time, i'm confident in your identity but i'm not interested in starting anyting petty, lets get back to some quality posts which inform and stimulate a bit of thought!

[One N@tion]

Actually, I let the arguement go-I have no desire to get caught up in a silly disagreement -but I do believe that my points stand. Replying with 'coincedence' to several of my comparisons is an equally 'poor' response to my 'poor' (but numerous) points. Once last time, i'm confident in your identity but i'm not interested in starting anyting petty, lets get back to some quality posts which inform and stimulate a bit of thought!

I let the argument go-I have no desire to get caught up in a silly disagreement - Well why bring it up then ??

Well come then Dan, what's your thoughts on my comments ? After all that's why we are here..

[Spannerman]

Hey come on guys, this looks like a good site, on my TV set I have an on/off switch, don't want to watch something off it goes etc etc.

Re Rorke's Drift, whether or not it was important is not for me to say, I do recall my father saying when he served in Jo'burg/Port Elizabeth in WW2 that on that anniversary date and at the prescribed time EVERYTHING stopped for two minutes in honour of that battle and all those that had fought and had fallen in the course of their duty, that to the South Africans/Suid Afrikaans was how important it was to them.

Bloody fantastic film though.

[Tab]

I think that Rorkes Drift was mainly important to the soldiers at Rorkes Drift, now I am not taking away from there bravery, but they were fighting for their lives. Had they lost then it would have just been a couple hundred men down the drain, but it would not have affected the Victorian drive for Empire, it would have just increased the drive for revenge.
So it would have just wound up as a footnote in history until they made a film about it, now as it is on television twice a year then every one knows all about it.

[harry hackedoff]

Rourke`s Drift has been well covered on here, and by better men than one nation, yawn
Wot ju fink, top blokes or wot m8
Finished my homework, now, mummy. Can I play on the putor?

[The JaCkAl]

Claws back in girls.