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The Zulu war. The entrenched position at Rorke's Drift
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The Zulu war. The entrenched position at Rorke's Drift
The scene as reinforcements arrive at Rorke's Drift, successfully defended by the British from 3, 000 Zulus. Extended caption: Note from Captain Crealock About 6.30am we reached Rorke's drift, and saw the smoke rising from the post. Too late! too late! But no- from amidst the smoke we saw some figures gesticulating: then a flag waved. Glasses out! They are red coats! Russell and the mounted men are sent forward, plunge in to the river and scrambling out on the opposite side, gallop up. A moment's doubt if it be not a zulu ruse. But no, the morning breeze now brings across the frontier river the glad sound of a British cheer. We were NOT too late. There were 351 dead bodies found lying around the house, and between it and the hill; and sixty around and in the burning hospital, which they had succeeded in firing. Date: 1879
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Media ID 32219706
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mar
1879 Amidst Arrive Breeze Brings Caption Coats Defended Doubt Drift Entrenched Extended Figures Forward Frontier Gallop Gesticulating Glad Glasses Moment Morning Mounted Note Opposite Plunge Position Reached Reinforcements Rising Rorke Ruse Russell Scrambling Sound Successfully Waved Zulu Zulus
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This powerful print captures the intense and harrowing scene at Rorke's Drift during the Zulu war of 1879. The British forces, vastly outnumbered by 3,000 Zulus, bravely defended their entrenched position as reinforcements arrived just in time. Captain Crealock's account of the events adds a chilling layer of detail to the image - the desperation as they feared being too late, only to be relieved by the sight of red coats waving a flag amidst the smoke. The relief and joy felt upon realizing that it was not a Zulu ruse but indeed British reinforcements coming to their aid is palpable in this historic moment frozen in time.
The aftermath of the battle is grimly evident with 351 dead bodies strewn around the house and hill, along with sixty more around the burning hospital that had been set ablaze by enemy forces. This photo serves as a stark reminder of the bravery and sacrifice displayed by those who fought in this bloody conflict. It immortalizes a crucial turning point in history when courage and determination triumphed against overwhelming odds at Rorke's Drift.
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