Rorke's Drift Battlefield
Rorke's Drift Battlefield is a battlefield in South Africa where fighting took place in 1879 during the Anglo-Zulu War. The terrain is flat with simple buildings, old walls, and barricades that defenders built to hold their position.
The battlefield was the site of an engagement during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War, where about 150 British and colonial soldiers resisted a much larger Zulu force. The place later became known because the small defending group held their position despite the attackers' numbers, and eleven soldiers received the Victoria Cross for their actions.
The site was originally a mission station that served the local community with aid and supplies. Today, the ruins and memorials speak to the people who lived and fought here.
The site is accessible by gravel tracks and sits away from main roads in a rural area. Visitors should wear suitable footwear, and guided tours are available to bring the story of the place to life.
Eleven soldiers involved received the Victoria Cross for bravery, more than from any other single battle of that time period. This exceptional honor made the engagement one of the most celebrated in military history, despite being small in scale.
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