Thread by @SteveJChambers

#OnThisDay 22 January 1879 the Battle of Isandlwana, the day of the dead moon, was fought in the modern-day province of KwaZulu-Natal. The action was a decisive victory for the Zulus; one of the worse defeats ever suffered by the British #AngloZuluWar #OTD #History Thread 1/12

2/12 - But how did events play out that ended with Ntshingwayo KaMahole, #Zulu commander at iSandlwana, inflicting one of the most decisive defeats ever suffered by the @BritishArmy at that time? #OnThisDay #History #AngloZuluWar

3/12 - During a morning patrol #OTD 22 January 1879 Lieutenant Charles Raw, Natal Native Horse, stumbles upon the main Zulu Impi of 20,000 warriors in the Ngwebeni Valley #OnThisDay #History #AngloZuluWar

4/12 - Lt-Col Henry Pulleine, commanding 1/24 Regiment at Isandlwana eceives reports of Zulus and deploys Lt Charles Cavaye’s E Company on the Tahelane Spur (the plateau to the right of photo). In skirmishing order, they engage the Zulu right horn #OTD #AngloZuluWar #History

5/12 - About 10.50 am Lt-Col Anthony Durnford, who had just arrived from Rorke’s Drift, rides out with his mounted units to intercept the Zulus. Artillery, Rockets and Lt Pope’s G, Lt Degacher’s A and Lt Wardell’s H Companies are deployed #OnThisDay #History #AngloZuluWar #OTD

6/12 - By noon firing could be heard all along the line, but far out from the camp. Durnford’s men had engaged the left horn of the Zulu. Speed of Zulu attack overran the rocket battery near the Conical Hill #OnThisDay #History #AngloZuluWar #OTD

7/12 #OTD 12.30 pm Lt Cavaye E and Mostyn’s F companies on the Tahelane Spur withdraw, falling back to the camp. Captain Younghusband’s C Company protects their left flank. Volley firing Martini-Henry’s stop the Zulus at 300-400 yards range #OnThisDay #History #AngloZuluWar

8/12 - In danger of being outflanked, and low on ammunition, at 1.20pm Durnford is forced to withdraw from the donga. This inadvertently exposes Lt Charles Pope’s G Company, 1/24 Foot, flank. Quickly surrounded, Pope’s men fight a last stand #OnThisDay #History #AngloZuluWar

9/12 - by 1.30 pm the Zulu right horn threatens the unprotected rear of the camp. 24th Regt companies fall back. Mayhem follows as each company and other bodies of troops fight in defensive squares, all last stand actions as camp is overhelmed. #OnThisDay #History #AngloZuluWar

10/12 - #OTD at 2.45 pm the battle is all but over at when Capt Reg Younghusband’s men expend their last round and then killed. Only those on horseback, around 50 Europeans, survived the battle, most leaving the camp before the final encirclement #OnThisDay #History #AngloZuluWar

11/12 - The Last of the 24th Regiment at the Battle of Isandlwana - Painting by Richard Thomas Moynan shows a lone survivor, the very last to fall on this battlefield. His name remains unknown, but all are #Remembered #AngloZuluWar #OnThisDay #OTD

12/12 - An embarrassing defeat for the British, a battle that rocked Victorian society. But it was a victory, albeit a bloody victory, for the Zulu. King Cetshwayo never wanted to fight the British. A battle won, but a war and kingdom lost #OnThisDay #OTD #AngloZuluWar #History