Zulu Battle Piece Isandhlwana

First published in 1948, renowned British Empire historian Coupland describes, with swift and vivid strokes, the situation between whites and blacks, the great military qualities and terrifying military tactics of the Zulu warriors and the characters of the Englishmen, soldiers and politicians, involved in the disaster. Having prepared the reader with consummate art and scholarship, he then sets the great action in that strange, eerie land, until the reader can truly feel that he has lived through it himself. The aftermath brings him to Rorke’s Drift and the gallant British stand that averted irretrievable disaster. A first-rate account of the battle.

When he wrote this classic, which historians of the period rank alongside Morris's more famous Washing of the Spears, Coupland was the foremost living authority on the history of the British Empire. In Zulu Battle Piece he describes, with swift and vivid strokes, the situation between whites and blacks, the great military qualities and terrifying military tactics of the Zulu warriors and the characters of the Englishmen, soldiers and politicians involved in the disaster; and then having the consummate art and scholarship prepared the reader, he sets the great action in that strange, eerie land, until the reader can truly feel that he has lived through it himself. The aftermath brings him to Rorke's Drift and the gallant British stand that averted irretrievable disaster. This was the first modern study of the battle and subsequent events at Rorke's Drift, a masterly classic by an excellent writer who vividly marshals his facts.

An erudite examination of a great military catastrophe Whilst several works were written concerning the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 in years immediately following the event, the proliferation of wars that followed it during the imperial period followed by the First and Second World Wars, probably meant that little retrospective consideration was given to the conflict for over half a century. The author of this book, Reginald Coupland was an Oxford University historian who specialised in the history of the British Empire and who had published several works on the subject. This book, published quite close to the end of his life, was a reappraisal of the pivotal-and disastrous for the British- Battle of Isandlwana fought in 1879, which resulted in a significant portion of Lord Chelmsford's centre column (which remained encamped) being massacred by the Zulu Army of King Cetshwayo. The loss of life and damage to British prestige was momentous. Coupland's comparatively early academic re-examination of the event, its causes and his consideration of the actions of those who were present will be fascinating for all those interested in the subject. This Leonaur edition has been enhanced by maps, illustrations and photographs not present in the original edition together with interesting first hand accounts by two survivors from the British camp and two short recollections by Zulu warriors who took part in the battle. Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.

"The battle of Isandlwana fought on January 22, 1879, was the greatest defeat suffered by the British Army during the Victorian era. A Zulu Army of 24,000 warriors had moved undetected to within striking distance of the British camp in the shadow of Isandlwana Mountain. From the start the 1,700 defenders underestimated the danger descending upon them. They were swept aside with horrifying speed and the final stage of the battle consisted of desperate hand-to-hand fighting amid the British camp. Ian Knight employs new archaeological and historical research to provide a completely new interpretation of the course of the battle."--BOOK JACKET.

This is an account of one of the most dramatic episodes in 19th century military history, which continues to exert a unique fascination. On 22nd January 1879 the British military camp at Isandlwana, South Africa, was annihilated by about 20,000 Zulu warriors. Some 1200 troops died under the Zulu spears, half of them British regular infantry of the 24th Foot armed with modern breech-loading rifles. This battle was partly redeemed that evening at the tiny hospital and supply post of Rorke's Drift, successfully held in hand-to-hand fighting against thousands of Zulus by some 140 defenders, only 80 of them able-bodied redcoats.

A concise history of the Battle of Isandlwana, the first encounter of the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. In 1878, H.M. High Commissioner for Southern Africa and the Lieut. General Commanding H.M. Forces, clandestinely conspired to invade the Zulu Kingdom. Drastically underestimating their foe, the invaders had been vanquished within days of entering the Zulu Kingdom, in one of the greatest disasters ever to befall a British army. The author not only dramatically describes the events leading up to the Battle of Isandlwana, and the battle itself but, with new evidence, disputes many aspects of the campaign long held sacrosanct. Praise for The Anglo Zulu War: Isandlwana “It offers a controversial but compelling account of the battle that underlines the consequences of operational arrogance and underestimating the fighting abilities of a less technologically equipped enemy – something that should resonate with all those who serve.” —Soldier “This is a book that should be on the bookshelves of everyone who is interested in the history of South Africa.” —The South African Military Society

“A densely detailed account of the 1879 Zulu defeat of the British . . . portrays a complex and interesting segment of British/African history.”—Library Journal The battle of Isandlwana—a great Zulu victory—was one of the worst defeats ever to befall a British Army. At noon on 22 January 1879, a British camp, garrisoned by over 1700 troops, was attacked and overwhelmed by 20,000 Zulu warriors. The defeat of the British, armed with the most modern weaponry of the day, caused disbelief and outrage throughout Queen Victoria's England. The obvious culprit for the blunder was Lieutenant General Lord Chelmsford, the defeated commander. Appearing to respond to the outcry, he ordered a court of inquiry. But there followed a carefully conducted cover-up in which Chelmsford found a scapegoat in the dead—most notably, in Colonel Anthony Durnford. Using source material ranging from the Royal Windsor Archives to the oral history passed down to the present Zulu inhabitants of Isandlwana, this gripping history exposes the full extent of the blunders of this famous battle and the scandal that followed. It also gives full credit to the masterful tactics of the 20,000 strong Zulu force and to Ntshingwayo kaMahole, for the way in which he comprehensively out-generalled Chelmsford. This is an illuminating account of one of the most embarrassing episodes in British military history and of a spectacular Zulu victory. The authors superbly weave the excitement of the battle, the British mistakes, the brilliant Zulu tactics and the shameful cover up into an exhilarating and tragic tale. “A must for anyone interested in the Zulu War. Highly recommended.”—British Army Review