Military History of South Africa - The Anglo-Zulu War

The Anglo-Zulu War

The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between Britain and the Zulus, and signalled the end of the Zulus as an independent nation. It had complex beginnings, some bad decisions and bloody battles that played out a common story of colonialism. It was precipitated by Sir Bartle Frere High Commissioner for Southern Africa who manufactured a cassus belli and prepared an invasion without the approval of Her Majesty's government.

At the Battle of Isandlwana, a Zulu army wiped out a British force on 22 January 1879. 1,400 British soldiers were totally overwhelmed and killed. This battle is considered to be one of the greatest disasters in British colonial history. However, Isandlwana was not ultimately a decisive victory for the Zulus for, as King Cetshwayo feared, it forced the policy makers in London to rally to the support of the pro-war contingent in the Natal government and commit whatever resources were needed to defeat the Zulu. At Rorke's Drift (22 January – 23 January 1879) 139 British soldiers successfully defended their garrison against an intense assault by four to five thousand Zulu warriors. In spite of the British success at Rorke's Drift the first invasion of Zululand ended with the catastrophe of Isandlwana where, along with heavy casualties, the main centre column lost all supplies, transport and ammunition and the British would be forced to halt their advances elsewhere while a new invasion was prepared.

The Battle of Intombe was fought on 12 March 1879, between British and Zulu forces. The Siege of Eshowe took place during a three-pronged attack on the Zulu Impis of king Cetshwayo at Ulundi. The Battle of Gingindlovu (uMgungundlovu) was fought between a British relief column sent to break the Siege of Eshowe and a Zulu Impi of king Cetshwayo on 2 April 1879. The battle restored the British commanders' confidence in their army and their ability to defeat Zulu attacks. With the last resistance removed, they were able to advance and relieve Eshowe. The Battle of Hlobane was a total disaster for the British. 15 officers and 110 men were killed, a further 8 wounded and 100 native soldiers died. The Battle of Kambula took place in 1879 when a Zulu army attacked the British camp at Kambula, resulting in a massive Zulu defeat. It is considered to be the turning point of the Anglo-Zulu War. The Battle of Ulundi took place at the Zulu capital of Ulundi on 4 July 1879 and proved to be the decisive battle that finally broke the military power of the Zulu nation.