The Battle of Rorke's Drift was fought on 22–23 January 1879 during the Anglo-Zulu War in what is now South Africa. A small British garrison of about 150 soldiers — many from the 24th Regiment of Foot — defended a mission station at Rorke’s Drift against an attacking force of roughly 3,000–4,000 Zulu warriors. The battle happened just hours after the devastating British defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana nearby. Led by officers including John Chard and Gonville Bromhead, the defenders hastily fo