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movement, the Zulu Army was able to surprise and attack the British camp at Isandlwana. Here over 1,300 British troops and their South African allies, held off an onslaught from over 20,000 Zulus for over an hour and half. The British, armed with the then modern Martini-Henry rifle, inflicted huge casualties of between 2,000-3,500 men on their adversaries but the Zulus were eventually able to outflank the British position and the troops were then quickly overwhelmed. No mercy was shown and very few of the defenders escaped to tell of the disaster, which was the worst suffered by the British throughout the Victorian period. Indeed more British officers perished at Isandlwana than at the battle of Waterloo. Today, the battlefield of Isandlwana is a most atmospheric and special place in which the events of this brutal and bloody battle can be thoroughly appreciated. Part of the victorious Zulu


army then moved on the isolated British supply base at Rorke’s Drift, expecting an easy victory. As Michael Caine demonstrated, this was not to be the case and an incredible eleven Victoria Cross medals were awarded to the defenders. Once the British had recovered from the shock of their initial defeat and thousands of reinforcements had arrived from Britain and across the Empire, a fresh invasion was launched three months later. Still the Zulus would not submit and the British were to suffer further reversals at the battles of Ntombi and Hlobane before finally crushing Zulu resistance at the battle of Ulundi. Although the Devonshire


Regiment did not serve in the Zulu conflict, several Devonians, many in the ranks of the Somerset Light


Infantry, did. The most famous officer is undoubtedly Redvers Buller, whose family home is at Downes House, near Crediton. Buller, who was later to become infamous as the Commander of British troops during the Boer War, fought at the battles of Khambula, Ulundi and Hlobane


Dr Manning, and local experts, will truly bring the conflict alive for the lucky few who wish to join this exclusive tour.


and it was at the latter that he won a Victoria Cross for turning back his pony to rescue men of his command who were being pursued by the advancing Zulu army. Fascinated by the Anglo-Zulu war


ever since he saw the film “ Zulu” as a young boy, Dr Stephen Manning has gone on to become an expert on Victorian warfare, a renowned author


and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter. Having led a very successful tour of all the battlefields in February 2017, Dr Manning will again be taking a small, exclusive party back to South Africa in September 2018. On this occasion, Dr Manning has incorporated opportunities to go on several safari game drives, as well as visiting the international renowned St.Lucia Wetlands, home to a wide range of bird and wildlife. All the battlefields are well preserved and Dr Manning and local experts, will truly bring the conflict alive for the lucky few who wish to join this exclusive tour. With only a small number


of places remaining, anyone interested in joining what promises to be a fascinating tour in a most beautiful and welcoming country, should contact stephen manning on 01392 879317 stephenandmichaela@gocruise. co.uk for more information and a detailed itinerary.


Stephen and Michaela Manning are independent travel agents who specialise in cruise, safari and battlefield tours. Do contact them to discuss your next holiday


E: stephenandmichaela@gocruise.co.uk T: 01392 879317 www.gocruise.co.uk/stephenandmichaela


‘GoCruise and Travel, make your dreams into perfect memories’


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