Rorke's Drift

Rorke’s Drift was a famous 1879 battle during the Anglo-Zulu War in South Africa. A small British force of about 150 soldiers defended a mission station against a large Zulu army numbering in the thousands. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the defenders used strong defensive positions and coordinated fire to hold off the Zulu attacks for several hours. The battle became a symbol of bravery and resilience, resulting in 11 Victoria Cross awards, the British military’s highest honor. It demonstrated effective leadership and strategy under extreme odds, and remains a notable example of defensive courage in military history.