The Battle of Isandlwana, fought on January 22, 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War, was a significant and devastating conflict for the British forces. During the battle, the British suffered a catastrophic defeat against the Zulu army.
Out of the approximately 1,700 British soldiers who fought at Isandlwana, only about 50 to 60 men survived. This grim statistic highlights the ferocity and effectiveness of the Zulu forces, who utilized their knowledge of the terrain and battle tactics to overpower the British troops.
Many of the survivors were able to escape due to the chaos of the battle and the retreat towards the nearby camp at Rorke’s Drift. This battle is often remembered as one of the most significant defeats in British military history and had far-reaching implications for future British military campaigns in southern Africa.