Battle Report: Rorke's Drift01 December 2004BackgroundOn the same day as the complete defeat of the British column at Isandlwana,
a small hospital and supply outpost at Rorke's Drift,
garrisoned by men of B company 24th South Wales Borderers, came under
attack by a surprise Zulu force.
Two officers, Lt. Chard (RE) and Lt. Bromhead were present,
and organised hasty defences of biscuit boxes and sacks of Indian corn and oats.
We attempt to recreate the famous battle that ensued…
RulesBritish Forces
2 Platoons British Rifles (24th South Wales Borderers), including 2 NCOs each
2 Officers (Lt. Bromhead and Lt. Chard)
1 NCO (Colour-Sergeant Bourne)
Zulu Forces
6 Zulu iviyo
2 Senior Induna
1 Chief (mounted)
The British deploy first. The Zulus deploy approximately 24" away from the outpost.
The door to the building will be broken down, and the rest of the defences within the building will be cleared on a D6 roll of a 6. After that, D6 Zulus may travel through the building per turn.
Battle Report
The British erected a redoubt of biscuit boxes and sacks containing Indian corn and oats. The storehouse building was barricaded and used to form part of the defenses. It was expected that the Zulus would attack from the Oskarberg - the hills to the South, and so all the men from 6 Platoon were placed to man the southern redoubt.
Men of B Company man the outpost
Lt. Chard of the Roayal Engineers was the overall commander of the force, and he calmly walked up and down the line of men in the main redoubt. 6 Platoon was in double-line formation, while some of the men from 5 Platoon manned the Northern barricade in open-order formation.
Lt. Chard, Royal Engineers, officer in charge
At the Eastern end of the outpost, the storehouse made one side of a smaller defensive redoubt. The doors were barricaded, and obstacles set to impede the Zulus should they choose that route.
The storehouse
The small redoubt held just 9 men of 6 Platoon, as well as Lt. Bromhead. Since it was expected that the Zulus may circle round to the Eastern side, the men were placed in double-line formation here, with a few men covering the Southern redoubt.
The smaller redoubt by the storehouse
Lt. Bromhead takes command of the smaller redoubt
As they peered over the corn sacks, they saw movement in the distance, and began to make their final preparations.
Men of 5 Platoon man the North-Eastern redoubt
Sgt. Maxfield, in charge of 6 Platoon on the Southern redoubt barked an order, and the men took aim at the area of movement across the Oskarberg.
Sgt. Maxfield of 6 Platoon manning the Southern redoubt
The well-manned Southern redoubt
The view south towards the Oskarberg
Click here to go to turn 1
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