Anglo Zulu War

During the reign of Queen Victoria, the British army fought many campaigns throughout the Empire but it was the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 that seized the public imagination. The most well known battles of the Anglo Zulu War are the defeat at Isandlwana followed by the heroic stand at Rorkes Drift. However, there is so much more to the Anglo Zulu War. It saw the death of the heir to the Napoleonic dynasty – Louis Napoleon, the exiled Prince Imperial had volunteered to fight with the British in Zululand. Did the defeat at Isandlwana help trigger the collapse of the Disraeli government in London? What is certain is that by the end of the 6 month war, the most feared warrior nation in Africa were soundly beaten.

Cetshwayo had become absolute ruler of the Zulus in 1873 following the death of his father. His uncle, Shaka, had built the Zulu kingdom and among other things, introduced the famous ‘Horns of the Buffalo’ tactic on the battlefield. The power of the Zulu nation was a concern the British in Natal and eventually an ultimatum was issued which included disbanding the Zulu army. Naturally, there is no way the Zulus would ever agree to the terms and on 22 January 1879, column number 3 led by Lord Chelsmford (4,709 officers & men, 303 wagons & carts and 1,507 oxen) crossed the Buffalo River and headed north into Zululand.

The 6 month campaign saw a series of battles resulting in victories for both sides but ultimately, the British were victorious, Cetshwayo was captured and the Zulu nation was defeated.