Zulu - Rorke's Drift

Fought on January 23, 1879, the Battle of Rorke's Drift could well be called the battle of the Victoria Cross. Of the one hundred thirty personnel involved in the defense of the station and hospital at the Drift, eight of them received this most coveted of all British decorations...

Part of this extensive citation of Britain's most prestigious award may be seen as a political move on the part of the leadership of the British Army. It was their belief that a small victory at Rorke's Drift would offset the adverse publicity concerning the more serious defeat at Isandhlwana.