Like Wolves on the Fold: The Defence of Rorke's Drift - Softcover

Lieut. Col. Mike Snook

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1848325835 ISBN 13: 9781848325838

Publisher: Frontline Books, 2010

Synopsis

Wednesday 22 January 1879 was one of the most dramatic days in the annals of military history. In the morning, a modern British army was swept aside by the onset of a seemingly unstoppable host at Isandlwana. Nearby, at a remote border outpost on the Buffalo River, a single company of the 24th Regiment and a few dozen recuperating hospital patients were passing another hot, monotonous day. News of the disaster across the river came like a bolt from the blue. Retreat was not an option. It seemed certain that the Rorkes Drift detachment would share the terrible fate of their comrades. Colonel Snook brings the insights of a military professional to bear in this strikingly original account. It is an extraordinary tale a victory largely achieved by the sheer bloody-mindedness in adversity of the British infantryman, fighting at remarkable odds of over thirty to one. The heroics of all eleven VC winners are recounted in detail, and we are offered new insights into how the Zulu attack unfolded and how 150 men achieved their victory. The author describes the remainder of the war, from the recovery of the lost Queens Colour of the 24th to the climactic charge of the 17th Lancers at Ulundi. We return to Isandlwana to consider culpability, and learn of the often tragic fates of many of the wars participants.

About this title

Review

"...intriguing new facts about what, up to now, has been the generally accepted account...extremely readable, wellillustrated and informative."--Toy Solder & Model Figure

About the Author

Born in Monmouthshire, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Snook is a lifelong professional soldier. After graduating successively from Leicester University and Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Wales in 1984. Since then he has served all around the world, including active service in regimental and staff appointments in Afghanistan, Bosnia, South Armagh and Belfast. In recent years he has worked as a British military adviser in South Africa and as the Chief Instructor of the Tactical Intelligence Branch at the Defence College of Intelligence. Presently on the HQ staff at the Defence Academy, he is utilizing his spare time to read for a PhD.

Edition details

• Publisher: Frontline Books
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1848325835
• ISBN 13: 9781848325838
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320