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How many bullets were fired at Rorke’s Drift?

Perhaps the most famous example of the fire being effective without being unduly destructive is at Rorke's Drift. Here the defenders fired off nearly 20,000 rounds in ten hours, killing some 600 Zulus – an average rate of fire of rather less than 15 rounds per man per hour, with a kill ratio of 33:1.

How many shots were fired at Rorke’s Drift?

It is estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 rounds were fired during the defense of Rorke's Drift, the vast majority of the shots having missed their targets altogether. Per Lt. Chard's report, the number of Zulu dead buried by the British was 351.

How much ammunition was at Rorke’s Drift?

However, at that point, for reasons still unexplained, the Zulus called it quits and marched away. Rorke's Drift was the forward supply base for the newly annihilated British Column at Isandlwana, and thus had a reserve stock of 20 000 rounds of ammunition.

How many Zulu died at Rorke’s Drift?

A large force of Zulus appeared on the hill overlooking the station, but they turned and left Rorke's Drift. They had spotted Chelmsford's relief column approaching. After the battle, 351 Zulus had been confirmed killed, and it is speculated that 500 more who were wounded were massacred.

Why did Zulus lose at Rorke’s Drift?

Many of the Zulus who had firearms lacked training and were poor shots. As the battle raged on, the Zulus targeted the hospital. They set fire to the building, burst in and began killing the patients with their spears. But the defenders managed to push them back with bayonets.

What happened to private hook from Rorke’s Drift?

He died of pulmonary tuberculosis on 12 March 1905 at Osborne Villas, Roseberry Avenue, Gloucester and is buried in St Andrew's churchyard, Churcham.

What happened to Colour Sergeant Bourne after Rorke’s Drift?

After Rorke's Drift, Frank Bourne served in British India and Burma, being promoted to Quartermaster-Sergeant in 1884. He was commissioned in 1890. In 1893 he was appointed adjutant of the School of Musketry at Hythe, Kent, retiring from the army in 1907.

Why did Colour Sergeant Bourne not get a VC?

It has been suggested that Colour Sergeant Bourne DCM took promotion instead of a VC. He ended his career as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Bourne OBE DCM. He is buried in Beckenham Cemetery and Crematorium, found on Elmers End Road on the A214, details of location can be obtained from the lodge on entering.

Why didn t the Zulus use guns?

The Zulus now had thousands of old-fashioned muskets and a few modern rifles at their disposal. But their warriors were not properly trained in their use. Most Zulus entered battle armed only with shields and spears.

Did they have Gatling guns at Rorke’s Drift?

The Battle of Rorke's Drift happened during the Anglo-Zulu War, caused by Britain's invasion of Zululand in 1879. The combatants' manpower on both sides might be said to have been about equal but the British had the cannons, breechloading rifles and Gatling guns.

Did the Zulus mutilate British soldiers?

There is no doubt that the Zulus practised ritual mutilation after a battle, and the packs of young dibi boys roaming the area after the battle must have had a field day looting and despatching the wounded.

Did the Zulus really salute the British at Rorke’s Drift?

They were not saluting anyone, they had to return home, quickly. By the way, Hook was not the poltroon portrayed in the film, he was a proper hero, rescuing the men from the hospital and killing many Zulus. He genuinely earned his V.C. Great film though.

Is the film Zulu accurate?

Historical accuracy. The basic premises of the film are true and largely accurate, but is not a historical re-enactment of real events.

What happened to Bromhead after Rorke’s drift?

He spent most of the remainder of his career in south Asia, where he was promoted to major in 1883 and saw service in the Third Anglo-Burmese War. He died in 1891 in Allahabad, India, at the age of 45.

Who was the unsung hero of Rorke’s Drift?

The remains of an unsung hero of Rorke s Drift lie in an unmarked grave in Ebbw Vale Cemetery. He was Drummer James Keefe 2381 B Com. 2nd Btn., 24 Regt of Foot, who served in South Africa from Feb 1878 to Jan 1880.

Did the Zulus take prisoners?

Contrary to Victorian myth, the Zulus did not torture prisoners. In fact, they hardly ever took prisoners.

Where was the film Rorke’s Drift filmed?

Cy Endfield's epic military marathon about the Battle of Rorke's Drift was actually shot 90 miles south-west of Rorke's Drift in the Royal Natal National Park in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa. It is an area far more mountainous and picturesque than the real site of the battle.

Is there a cemetery at Rorke’s Drift?

The following soldier was a defender at Rorke's Drift on the 22nd/23td January, but died later, and is buried in the cemetery at Rorke's Drift. His name is recorded on the memorial. 934 Private WILLIAMS, John DIED of disease 5/2/1879.

Did anyone survive Rorke’s Drift?

Not everyone at Rorke's Drift died a miserable death. The last survivor, Frank Bourne, lived to be 91. He died on 8 May 1945 – VE day.

Who was the youngest soldier at Rorke’s Drift?

Private Collins 25B/1396, B Company 2nd battalion is believed to be the youngest soldier to defend the mission station at Rorke's Drift and the only Pembrokeshire representative.

What happened to the heroes of Rorke’s Drift?

4) Private Frederick Hitch Frederick Hitch was invalided out of the army after Rorke's Drift on a pension of £10pa. Hitch eventually became a London cab driver and when he died in 1913, over 1,000 London taxis joined his funeral procession to churchyard in Chiswick, west London.

How much does a Colour sergeant earn?

Colour Sergeant Salaries in United Kingdom

The average salary for Colour Sergeant is £43,079 per year in the United Kingdom. The average additional cash compensation for a Colour Sergeant in the United Kingdom is £2,885, with a range from £1,167 - £7,131.

How much is a Rorkes Drift VC worth?

South Africa Medal 1879 awarded to Zulu War Rorke's Drift survivor Private Michael Minehan, 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot, which sold for a record £70,000 hammer price against an estimate of £26,000-30,000 at Dix Noonan Webb's London auction on December 8.

How many Welshmen won a VC at Rorkes Drift?

However, the one action that everyone considers to be a uniquely "Welsh affair" - the defence of Rorkes Drift during the Zulu War of 1879 - saw only three Welsh VCs.

Why did the Zulus disembowel?

It was the custom to release an enemy's spirit in this way, as Zulus believed that, if they neglected to do so, they would themselves die of a swollen belly. Every man was disemboweled, some were scalped, and others subjected to even ghastlier mutilations.

What were the mistakes in the movie Zulu?

Revealing mistakes

As the Zulus line up for the final "Fellow Braves" chant, the shield frames are obvious in one shot. In the hospital, the holes in the walls to be used as loopholes and to escape from one room to the next are clearly visible, and plastered over.