The Rorke's Drift VC Discussion Forum
(View Discussion Rules)

** IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL USERS **

PLEASE NOTE: This forum is now inactive and is provided for reference purposes only. The live forum is available at www.rorkesdriftvc.com/forum

(Back To Topic List)

Date	Original Topic
23rd July 2001	If Rorke's Drift had fallen.... By Mike D ...Would it have spelled disaster for Chelmsford and his retreating columns in the area? They would have been cut off from Natal by the Zulus. Or they would have been hard pressed to find another fordable place, while under attack by the Zulus.
Date	Replies
24th July 2001	Alan Critchley Mike, speculation is a wonderful indulgence. It allows the what ifs. My opinion, and I'm no expert, would be as follows. If Dabulamanzi had won at Rorke's Drift, he would still have incurred many casualties. His men would have still been exhausted and not in much of a condition to put up a sustained fight. I think they would also have returned to the zulu side of the buffalo river since he had already disobeyed Cetywayo's orders by crossing in the first place. They did pass Chelmford's returning column, but both sides were in no state to put up a fight. In answer, I think nothing would be different except 154 dead instead of 17 on the British side. Alan