The Day of the Dead Moon audio series by David Rattray

The Day Of The Dead Moon – David Rattray’s 5 Part Audio Series of the Anglo Zulu War of 1879.


In 1879 the British invaded Zululand. The central of the three major invading columns forded the Buffalo River at Rorke’s Drift. Within days Lord Chelmsford’s invasion was in jeopardy. Part of his central column had been almost annihilated at Isandlwana in a battle rated as one of the greatest military disasters in British colonial history. A few survivors struggled back into Natal across the mighty Buffalo River. Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill died in a gallant attempt to save the Queen’s colours, earning the first posthumous Victoria Crosses in history. A great wing of the Zulu army went on to attack the British garrison at Rorke’s Drift, and these warriors were beaten off in a battle that lasted all night. More VC.’s were awarded for valour in this battle than in any other battle in history. There never was another day like this one…….

Click here to listen to a snippet of what happened before the Zulu Impi attacked Isandlwana.


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Download as mp3 files. Please note that the CD set is currently unavailable.

Once you’ve placed your order you’ll be sent an email with a link for you to download your purchase. If you need help transferring the audio files to your mobile, we have set out some step by step instructions to play the series on your Android, iPad or iPhone.
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David Rattray

David Rattray devoted much of his life to the exploration of these troubled times by studying books and documents relating to this period and collecting stories handed down through the oral tradition of the Zulu people. He spent a great deal of time guiding people through the battlefields and entertaining them at the Lodge.


Story telling by a master
“In this spellbinding audio series, David Rattray describes the sad but true events of 1879 with sensitivity, and vividly brings the story into the imagination. In some cases he corrects some wrong impressions given by the film Zulu.”

An engrossing tale – superbly told by David Rattray
“David Rattray does a wonderful job of telling this most amazing story. He really makes the characters and events come alive.”

If you watched Zulu and want to know why.
“For anyone who has watched the groundbreaking film Zulu this amazing true and wonderfully told verbal history is for you. It explains the Zulu wars from first political stirrings through to the final battle at Ulundi. The story is told in all its glory and folly.”