Yesterday In History: Isandlwana
January 22nd: Speaking to the new ‘Natives are Restless’ theme, yesterday in 1879 was of one of the worst defeats in the history of the British army, Isandlwana. On the morning of the 22nd a Zulu army destroyed a British force of nearly 1,200 men.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:37 am
If you are into this battle, I highly suggest Mike Snook’s “How Can Man Die Better” - as it gives a great account of what the final moments at Isandlwana may have been like for the 24th.
It departs greatly from the traditional telling of the battle, which is to say that he doesn’t subscribe to the belief that the 6 companies of redcoats were “quickly overwhelmed” by the zulu. Instead, he recounts a protracted struggle that took a good deal longer than many have theorized over the years.
He uses strong battlefield evidence and understanding of military maneuver to cement his argument. It’s a thrilling read from start to finish.