Zulu War: Rorke's Drift 22- 23 January 1879, Turn 1 - 6.

 Turn 1 - 2

On seeing the approach of the Zulus, the Stores building is quickly occupied by Daniels, Sgt Mabin and the Chaplain on the left, with the centre room occupied by the 3 Commissariat men. Along with the hospital orderlies on the right they prepare to fire through loopholes made in the wall.

A ripple of musketry erupts from Shiyane Hill inflicting a casualty on the unprotected troops manning the front wall. As soon as the Zulu warriors move into range several of them fall to the rifle fire from the back wall, who have now been reinforced by a section from the front wall, and the hospital.

Continued -

The steady Zulu advance turns into a rush (3 activations) and as they surge towards the back wall the first of the closing fire volleys rips into them. Several fall but does not stem their onward charge.

A second volley at near point blank range decimates one warband who fall back shaken and disordered. Two warbands strike home and in fierce fighting across the mealy bags the British struggle against the ferocity of the Zulus. One section is disordered and although the Zulus suffer significant casualties they fight on.

Turn 3

The first loss of a Zulu warband occurred when heavily defeated in melee at the back wall (gap in middle of photo). To the right the combat continues with casualties on both sides.

During the Zulu phase they lost another warband at the back wall. Minimal movement occurred elsewhere with the Zulu warriors seemingly a little overwhelmed by the firepower coming at them. 3 warbands on the left decided to circumvent the hospital and try their luck on the front wall.

Total losses at the end of turn 3:   Zulus 40,  British 0

Turn 4

Only one warband successfully charged the wall at the front of the hospital with the another disordered by fire coming from the building. That charge failed when already having sustained casualties, lost more due to closing fire resulting in the warband falling back shaken (bottom of photo).

A warband supporting the attack on the rear wall became irritated at taking fire from the hospital! It launched itself against one of the rear doors defended by the Natal Mounted Police.

The 3 Police, all patients, fought desperately to keep the Zulus out. Shaken by the combat they managed to hold on for another turn.

A Zulu warband found itself isolated between the stores building and the barricade of mealy bags without support. Fire poured in from both sides forcing it to fall back to the cookhouse badly shaken having suffered severe casualties. 

Elsewhere on minor progress was made by the Zulu horde with only 1 activation.

Fresh Zulus charged into the back wall with the same 2 sections continuing to hold them off under the direct supervision of Colour Sgt Bourne. The section on the left combat had become shaken under the sustained pressure but continued the fight.

A section has been moved up in reserve ready support the back wall.

On seeing Zulus appear at the corner of the hospital, Dalton makes his way over to take charge.

No new losses this turn so the tally remains at the end of turn 4:   Zulus 40,  British 0

Turn 5

The fight on the back wall continues with Sgt Bourne now joining a shaken section to try and steady them which he fails to do. But his presence holds them in position and they inflict sufficient damage on the Zulus to keep them in the fray for another turn.

Chard has joined Bromhead ensuring all sections along the back wall are sufficiently fired up to deal with the initial Zulu attack. 3 sections along with fire from the Stores building concentrate on the nearest warband sheltering behind the ditch. The Zulus absorb the punishment and although disordered maintain their morale.

Several Zulu warbands are disrupted by fire from the hospital and from behind the barricade slowing their attack. So far they are held back as Dalton joins the defenders.

A nasty turn for the British as a warband bursts through a rear hospital door killing the Natal Mounted Police defending it. An ominous start for the hospital occupants!

Better news for the British though on the back wall. Both Zulu warbands in combat are destroyed by the defenders inspired by Sgt Bourne. Another poor command roll by the Zulus resulted in an initiative move only which prevented any further charges from being in movement range.

Losses this turn amounted to 40 Zulus and 3 Patients = 1.5. Running total:   Zulus 80,  British 1.5

Turn 6

A successful Zulu command roll sees the combined warbands pile into the thin red line holding the back wall. Both Chard and Bromhead join the fight. Closing fire did nothing to halt the tidal wave of Zulus. 

The view from the Zulu side. Bottom left of photo sees another warband assault another door of the hospital.

Turning to the front wall, Zulus rush the hospital corner held by Dalton and a section of the 24th. Closing fire on this occasion proved highly effective destroying the warband before contact could be made.

Within the hospital, Sgt Wilson rushed into the room threatened by the Zulu incursion. Instructing 2 of his men to move into the empty room (top left) he sought to mount a defence with the remaining private. Not in their best of health they struggled against the Zulus but held the room for now. In the upper right, 2 artillery men attempt to hold the door against another Zulu attack and although holding them off, their weakened state did not bode well for the next turn.

A resounding success for the British on the back wall when, for no loss to themselves, they destroyed 2 of the attacking warbands and sent another reeling back. 

Total losses this turn 60 Zulus. Running total:  Zulus 140, British 1.5

A note about a rule change. It was clear early on that a +2 bonus for defending the barricade would make it too strong for the British. This meant that the morale save would only fail on a 1 which could be re-rolled with the 'stubborn' bonus. I therefore changed this to a +1 to make it a little more even.

NEXT: The main Zulu body arrives.