22 January - The Battle of Rorke's Drift

 

The Battle of Rorke's Drift occurred on January 22-23, 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War in South Africa. It was a significant engagement that took place shortly after the Battle of Isandlwana, where the British suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Zulu forces.

After the Zulus defeated the British at Isandlwana, a contingent of Zulu warriors moved to attack the British supply and field hospital at Rorke's Drift, a mission station and trading post. The defenders at Rorke's Drift included a small garrison of British and colonial troops.

The British forces, led by Lieutenant John Chard and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, successfully defended Rorke's Drift against overwhelming odds. The battle lasted for several hours, and the defenders managed to repel the Zulu attacks, earning a notable victory for the British.

The defense of Rorke's Drift is celebrated for the bravery and tenacity displayed by the British soldiers during the intense battle. The engagement was later depicted in the 1964 film "Zulu," which dramatized the events of the Battle of Rorke's Drift.