"Post-battle defenses at Rorke's Drift" Topic

I'm putting together a "what if" game, for the 2nd Battle of Rorke's Drift. I've read that within 2-3 days of the battle, Chard oversaw the construction of numerous upgraded defenses, including abatis, cleared fields of fire, replacing mealie bags with 10-foot high stone walls, punching firing holes in the storehouse, etc.

I'm looking for RELIABLE information about specifics of the upgrades/improvements, locations, etc, so I can recreate these on the tabletop. Thanks.

Your best bet is probably the engineering reports or Great Britain, War Office: Maps and Plans. Sketch of Rorke's Drift Post showing Fort Bromhead and lines of permanent fortification. National Archives Series Reference WO 78/2123.

Short of that – A 1993 Archaeological Review link

There are sections in Ian Knights and Adrian Greaves
a.co/d/0duROz2z
a.co/d/03tVagRY

There is also this sketch from September of 1879 showing interior of walls at Fort Bromhead (successor of Rorkes Drift)

If – the proportions are correct – should give you some good ideas

DisasterWargamer,

Thank you so much. The Archaeological Review was a God-send, answering some other questions I had. I have only glanced over it so far, but will be delving deeper into the details soon.

Also, your previous post referencing the sketch did not provide a link to the sketch.

On an old auction site of Chard's relatives selling some of his papers, I found this rough draft map of the battle:

postimg.cc/8FLz3C77