English Summary/英文概要: Wednesday 22 January 1879 was one of the most dramatic days in the annals of military history. In the morning, a modern British army was swept aside by the onset of a seemingly unstoppable host at Isandlwana. Nearby, at a remote border outpost on the Buffalo River, a single company of the 24th Regiment and a few dozen recuperating hospital patients were passing another hot, monotonous day. News of the disaster across the river came like a bolt from the blue. Retreat was not an option. It seemed certain that the Rorke’s Drift detachment would share the terrible fate of their comrades. Colonel Snook brings the insights of a military professional to bear in this strikingly original account. It is an extraordinary tale - a victory largely achieved by the sheer bloody-mindedness in adversity of the British infantryman, fighting at the remarkable odds of over thirty to one. The heroics of all eleven VC winners are recounted in detail, and we are offered new insights into how the Zulu attack unfolded and how 150 men achieved their improbable victory. The author describes the remainder of the war, from the recovery of the lost Queen’s Colour of the 24th to the climactic charge of the 17th Lancers at Ulundi. We return to Isandlwana to consider culpability, and learn of the often tragic fates of many of the war’s participants.
Chinese Summary/中文概要: 1879年1月22日周三的上午,一支装备精良的现代的英国军队,在伊散德尔瓦纳山脚下,被一股看似不可阻挡的祖鲁武士的进攻所击溃。在附近布法罗河的一个边境哨所,一支独立的英军24骑兵团和几十位正在康复的疗养病人度过了一个炎热而枯燥的一天。河对岸所发生的灾难消息对这支独立兵团的士兵来说,犹如晴天霹雳一般。撤退不是唯一的选择。似乎可以肯定的是,罗克渡口的前头部队将也和他们遭遇同样可怕的命运。
本书作者在这部引人注目的原创作品中运用了一位军事专家的真知灼见。这是一个非凡的故事,这场战役的最终胜利很大程度上是英国步兵在逆境中的军人血性,以超过三十对一的悬殊比例而在作战。书中详细记述了11名获得多利亚十字勋章(Victoria Cross)的英雄事迹,我们得以从新的视角了解到祖鲁人是如何展开进攻,以及150个英军士兵是比如和取得胜利的。(Sandy)
Awards/获奖情况: "...intriguing new facts about what, up to now, has been the generally accepted account...extremely readable, wellillustrated and informative."--Toy Solder & Model Figure
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