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The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 - Rorke's Drift


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Index


  1. Rorke's Drift's background

  2. What makes Rorke's Drift such a great example?

Rorke's Drift background


Rorke's Drift was a small outpost near a crossing of the Buffalo River in South Africa, which came under attack from a force of 3,000 - 4,000 Zulu warriors in the aftermath of the Battle of Isandlwana which had been a crushing defeat for the British Army on 22 January 1879. Defended by 139 soldiers, mainly from the 24th Regiment of Foot, the British held out from approximately 4pm that day until morning on the 23rd, winning 11 Victoria Crosses in the process, and becoming the basis of the 1964 film Zulu starring Michael Caine .


There was a solar eclipse on that day, at 2:30 pm, towards the end of the Battle of Isandlwana, the worst defeat of the British Army by an indigenous foe equipped with vastly inferior military technology. Approximately 1,800 British and Native troops were wiped out by over 20,000 Zulus armed with spears.


Lieutenant John Chard of the Royal Engineers was the senior officer present, and so placed in command of the defence, although lacking in any experience of military action. He was awarded the VC for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift. (wikitree) John Chard


Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead of the 24th Regiment of Foot was two years older than Chard, but a few months junior on the Army List, so despite coming from a long line of distinguished officers, and being the commanding officer of 'B' Company, left behind to guard the mission station that had been converted into a hospital and store for the force that was to be defeated at Isandlwana, Bromhead had to follow Chard's command. Bromhead was particularly aided in the fight by Private Hitch, who may have saved Bromhead's life at one point, and to whom Bromhead gave his pistol, once Hitch had been wounded and so was unable to fire his own rifle. (wikitree) Gonville Bromhead


Private Frederick Hitch,was awarded the VC for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift. Notably, both he and William Allen continued handing out ammunition to those still fighting, after they had themselves been incapacitated by wounds.


Colour Sargeant Frank Bourne was a young, only 23 years old, NCO in direct command of 'B' company's four sargeants, and the rank and file. He was awarded the DCM for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift. As he recounted in a 1936 interview:


In February 1878 the Regiment received sudden orders to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope to take part in the Kaffir War. This was my first experience of active service, and shortly after, my Colonel promoted me Colour-Sergeant of 'B' Company - 100 strong. I was only twenty-three, very nervous, sensitive, and afraid of my new responsibilities. Several men of the Company were my own age, others older, and some old enough to be my father, but after a few months I felt secure and thought I was getting along quite well. I also found myself 'unpaid private secretary' to several men who could barely read or write, and I deciphered and answered their letters home, feeling quite happy in our relations.


The strength of our small garrison at the Drift was two combatant and six departmental Officers, and one hundred and thirty-three Non-Commissioned Officers and men, thirty-six of whom were sick, leaving about one hundred fighting men.


About 7 o'clock they succeeded, after many attempts, in setting fire to the Hospital. The small number we were able to spare defended it room by room, bringing out all the sick who could be moved before they retired. Privates Hook, R. Jones, W. Jones and J. Williams [Fielding] were the last to leave, holding the door with the bayonet when all their ammunition was expended. The Victoria Cross was awarded to these men, and they fully deserved it.


(wikitree) Frank Bourne


Private Henry Hook was awarded the VC for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift. (wikitree) Henry Hook


Private Robert Jones was awarded the VC for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift. (wikitree) Robert Jones


Private William Jones was awarded the VC for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift.


Private John Fielding aka John Williams was awarded the VC for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift.


Surgeon Major James Reynolds was the doctor in charge of the makeshift hospital at Rorke's Drift, and who treated the wounded. He was awarded the VC for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift. (wikitree) James Reynolds


Other recipients of the VC, for whom we have no birth data, were Corporal William Allen and Acting Assistant Commissary James Langley Dalton.


(wikitree) William Wilson Allen (wikitree) James Langley Dalton


What makes Rorke's Drift such a great example?


The most telling thing is that the solar eclipse occurred immediately before the defence of Rorke's Drift, which was just a few miles West from Isandlwana. Additionally, there are some great appropriate transits for those involved, and there is some important synastry between many of them. NB. we do not have times for any births, and so must largely ignore the Moon and Ascendant [the Earth], except of course for the eclipse.


In the context of a battle, the planets should probably be interpreted as follows:


John Chard VC and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

(wikitree) John Chard


So what can Astrology tell us about John Chard and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that John Chard has his Mars right where Frank Bourne has a precise conjunction of Mars and Pluto, so both experienced somewhat similar transits to Mars during the battle. Not only this, but it is also precisely square the position of the eclipse, and has a conjunction by transit from Chiron. Of course, both men experienced the duty of command, although from different perspectives.


The chart shown is the birth of John Chard set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


Gonville Bromhead VC and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

(wikitree) Gonville Bromhead


So what can Astrology tell us about Gonville Bromhead (marsneptune) and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that .


The chart shown is the birth of Gonville Bromhead set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


Frederick Hitch VC and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

(wikitree) Frederick Hitch


So what can Astrology tell us about Frederick Hitch and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that .


The chart shown is the birth of Frederick Hitch set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


Frank Bourne DCM and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

(wikitree) Frank Bourne


So what can Astrology tell us about the identity of Frank Bourne (marspluto) and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that Frank Bourne has a precise conjunction of Mars and Pluto right where John Chard has his Mars, so both experienced somewhat similar transits to Mars during the battle. Not only this, but it is also precisely square the position of the eclipse, and has a conjunction by transit from Chiron. Of course, both men experienced the duty of command, although from different perspectives.


The chart shown is the birth of Frank Bourne set at midday with transits for the beginning of the battle set at 4:30pm.


Henry Hook VC and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

(wikitree) Henry Hook


So what can Astrology tell us about Henry Hook (venusjupiter) (uranuspluto) and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that Henry, who was portrayed to be a malingerer, has a conjunction natally of Venus and Jupiter, close by his Mars. He also has a natal conjunction of Uranus and Pluto. We don't know time of birth, which would make a great difference how he experiences these, but they suggest someone who wants an easier life than offered by the Army.


The chart shown is the birth of Henry Hook set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


Robert Jones VC and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

(wikitree) Robert Jones


So what can Astrology tell us about Robert Jones and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that .


The chart shown is the birth of Robert Jones set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


William Jones VC and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

So what can Astrology tell us about William Jones and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that .


The chart shown is the birth of William Jones set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


John Fielding VC and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

So what can Astrology tell us about John Fielding and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that .


The chart shown is the birth of John Fielding set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


James Reynolds VC and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

(wikitree) James Reynolds


So what can Astrology tell us about James Reynolds and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that .


The chart shown is the birth of James Reynolds set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


Ferdinand Schiess VC and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

Corporal Ferdinand Schiess was a 24 year old Swiss volunteer in the 2nd Battalion 3rd Regiment Natal Native Contingent. He was awarded the VC for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift.


So what can Astrology tell us about Ferdinand Schiess (venusneptune) and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that Venus-Neptune being squared by Mars, withe the eclipse on Ferdinand's Chiron and square his Pluto, with Chiron on his Pluto and square his natal Chiron. This all seems very appropriate to the character portrayed in the film - deeply passionate for his cause, and fighting like a tiger despite his crutch and infirmity.


The chart shown is the birth of Ferdinand Schiess set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


Gert Adendorff and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

Lieutenant Gert Adendorff of the 1st Battalion 3rd Regiment Natal Native Contingent, was a survivor from Isandlwana who brought the news to Rorke's Drift, giving Chard some warning of imminent attack, and who stayed on to help in the defence. Arriving at the Buffalo River crossing at about 3:15pm, Adendorf had travelled over 5 miles from Isandlwana, on horseback, suggesting he must have left at around the time of the eclipse.


So what can Astrology tell us about Gert Adendorff and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that Saturn was trine his natal Jupiter, which we could say was damping down his enthusiasm.


The chart shown is the birth of Gert Adendorff set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.


Thomas Collins and the Defence of Rorke's Drift

Three weeks shy of his 18th birthday, Private Thomas Collins was the youngest soldier present. He survived the defence of Rorke's Drift.


(wikitree) Thomas Collins


So what can Astrology tell us about Thomas Collins and the battle?


The most telling thing, perhaps is that .


The chart shown is the birth of Thomas Collins set at midday with transits for the battle set at 4:30pm.



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