Rorke's Drift 1879: 'Pinned Like Rats in a Hole'

Rorke's Drift sums up some of the best traditions of the British self-image: steadfastness against the odds, victory in adversity and the thin red line. The British stand deserves to go down in history as one of the most heroic actions of all time. The story of a mere 150 British and Imperial soldiers defending an isolated outpost against over 3,000 Zulu warriors summed up the experience of the colonial adventure for the Victorians and remains part of our heritage even today. Ian Knight recounts the course of this famous conflict in which no less than 11 Victoria crosses were won.

Ian Knight is widely acknowledged as a leading authority on the colonial campaigns of the Victorian Empire. He has written extensively on the subject including several Men-at-Arms, Campaign, Essential Histories, Elite and Fortress titles for Osprey, including the Queen Victoria's Enemies series. He has worked on a number of television documentaries and is a founder member of the Victorian Military Society. He has received awards for his work on campaigns in southern Africa during the 19th century, notably the Anglo-Zulu War. He lives in West Sussex, UK.

Michael Perry is an illustrator and producer of miniature figures for the wargames industry. For many years he has worked for both Games Workshop and Wargames Foundry, and has illustrated a number of Osprey publications including Men-At-Arms 275 The Taiping Rebellion and Campaign 54 Shiloh 1862.