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The Defence of Rorke's Drift by Jason Askew. - Cranston Military Prints

The Defence of Rorke's Drift by Jason Askew.


The Defence of Rorke's Drift by Jason Askew.

The Battle at Rorke's Drift, also known as the Defence of Rorke's Drift, was an action in the Anglo-Zulu War. The defence of the mission station of Rorke's Drift, under the command of Lieutenant John Chard of the Royal Engineers, immediately followed the British Army's defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana on 22nd January 1879, and continued into the following day, 23rd January. 150 British and colonial troops successfully defended the garrison against an intense assault by approximately 2000 Zulu warriors. The intense and noisy Zulu attacks on Rorke's Drift came very close to defeating the tiny garrison, but were ultimately repelled by blasts of Martini-Henry rifle fire-and some smart bayonet work-with some guts behind the bayonet thrusts! Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders, along with a number of other decorations and honours. Of particular note in the painting is the dog 'Pip' - he survived Isandlwhana by retreating along the fugitive's trail to Rorke's Drift. During the Zulu attacks on Rorke's drift, Pip did his part in the defence - by jumping on the mealie bag parapets and barking at Zulus- who were hiding in the long grass and sneaking up to the defences, then biting any Zulu who came within range. Unfortunately Pip was not officially recognised for his part in the action. He was not awarded a VC, on the basis that he was a volunteer canine that accompanied an officer, rather than a War Office issued canine. Conversely, if Pip had been killed, then he would not have been officially listed as a casualty, as he accompanied the army in a strictly private capacity. British army horses were in a different category as they were War Office issue, therefore the loss of a horse in action, or to disease, carried a financial liability for the War Office.
Item Code : DHM6069XXThe Defence of Rorke's Drift by Jason Askew. - Editions Available
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Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm)Artist : Jason AskewHalf
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Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm)Artist : Jason Askew£20 Off!
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Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. Size 40 inches x 25 inches (102cm x 64cm)Artist : Jason Askew
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Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 22.5 inches (91cm x 57cm)Artist : Jason Askew
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Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. Size 30 inches x 18.5 inches (76cm x 47cm)Artist : Jason Askew
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Original painting oil on canvas by Jason Askew. Size 50 inches x 30 inches (128cm x 76cm)Artist : Jason AskewSOLD
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Collector's Postcard - Restricted Initial Print Run of 100 cards.Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm)none£2.90

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 Fix bayonets and die like British soldiers do! ORDER TO BRITISH TROOPS. An authoritative account of the Zulu War of 1879. The Redcoat campaign in Zululand in 1879 holds a special place in the pantheon of military history. Its two most famous battles - the dreadful slaughter at Isandlwana and the heroic defence of Rorkes Drift still hold an enduring fascination. These epic encounters are laced with tales of courage and valour on both sides. The incredible determination of the Zulu warriors and the sheer professionalism and bravery of the British soldiers ensures that the Zulu Wars maintain their place in the popular imagination. Featuring footage from the movie Zulu Dawn this video is a spectacular true record of the war against the Zulus. Exciting specially filmed reconstructions and re-enactments, plus dramatised eye-witness accounts combine with the very latest 3D mapping techniques and superb period imagery to tell the epic story of the momentous chapter in military history. Narrated by Robert Powell. Featuring expert comment and analysis by Dr David Chandler, the worlds foremost military historian and former head of War Studies at Sandhurst.
The Zulu Wars 1879
On the 11th January 1879, a British Force under the command of Lord Chelmsford crossed the Buffalo River into Zululand.  A small garrison was left at Rorkes Drift.  The force consisted of 1600 British troops, mainly from the 1st and 2nd Battalions 24th Regiment, and 2500 native soldiers.  A tented camp was established at Isandhlwana Hill.  At 4am on the morning of 22nd January, Lord Chelmsford took half his force to reconnoitre to southeast in search of main Zulu army.  Just after 8am a force of 25000 Zulu warriors attacked the remainder of the force in the camp.  Surprised, outnumbered by more than six to one, in a position offering little defence, the defenders were soon overpowered and a dreadful slaughter ensued.  A few men escaped and re-crossed the Buffalo River to safety.  Victoria Crosses were awarded to Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill, who saved the Queens Colour of the 1st/24th and to Private Wassell, 90th Foot, who saved a comrade while escaping across the Buffalo River.

Battle of Isandhlwana by Charles Fripp
 The painting depicts the climax of the Zulu attacks at the defence of Rorkes Drift. The Zulus were unable to effectively penetrate the mealie bag defenses at Rorkes Drift, even though they succeeded in burning down the hospital, and peppering the storehouse with bullet holes. The confined space available to the British garrison caused a certain degree of physical compression, but this in fact worked against the Zulus, as it drove the defenders closer together with the result being that the volley fire from the defenders was concentrated and subsequently very effective at close range, as opposed to the spread out skirmish line type formation used at Isandlwhana. The Zulu attacks also became uncoordinated, being driven forward by charismatic individuals, but lacking the support of the necessary numbers needed to overwhelm the desperate defenders, who now appreciated that they were literally fighting for their lives.

Rorkes Drift by Jason Askew.
 The painting depicts the climax of the Zulu attacks at the defence of Rorkes Drift. The Zulus were unable to effectively penetrate the mealie bag defenses at Rorkes Drift, even though they succeeded in burning down the hospital, and peppering the storehouse with bullet holes. The confined space available to the British garrison caused a certain degree of physical compression, but this in fact worked against the Zulus, as it drove the defenders closer together with the result being that the volley fire from the defenders was concentrated and subsequently very effective at close range, as opposed to the spread out skirmish line type formation used at Isandlwhana. The Zulu attacks also became uncoordinated, being driven forward by charismatic individuals, but lacking the support of the necessary numbers needed to overwhelm the desperate defenders, who now appreciated that they were literally fighting for their lives.

Rorkes Drift by Jason Askew.

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