The highly illustrated story of the heroic defense of the storehouse at Rorke's Drift, Natal, against an overwhelming force of Zulus, by the small British garrison. Made famous through the epic film, Zulu, this is the graphic account of how British men behaved as gallant soldiers and Zulu warriors fought as brave warriors during the defense of the storehouse and field hospital at Rorke's Drift, Natal, at the beginning of the Zulu War, January 1879. Over thirty eye-witness accounts and letters, official reports and contemporary newspapers were examined to produce this authoritative yet accessible work. No less than fifteen gallantry medals were awarded for this one action alone. This account enables the reader to experience the events as if he or she were there, with the same feelings of uncertainty as the defenders themselves, expressing the comradeship and horror of hand-to-hand combat and highlighting the fighting spirit of the British soldier.