"The great Epic of Rorke's Drift" by Neil Paxton 4th August 2004
Neil
gave a well prepared and illustrated lecture, he put into perspective the
situation of Rorke's Drift the most famous action in the Zulu War, which began
in January 1879 when the Army, commanded by Lord Chelmsford, invaded the
Zulu kingdom in an attempt to extend British control in South Africa. But just
over a week later, the British suffered a disastrous defeat at Isandlwana, where
1,350 soldiers died, after under-estimating the Zulus' fighting capabilities.
With a wry smile Neil indicated the spin doctors of those days were no different
than today's, with suspect reasons to invade another country, in this case the
Zulu kingdom. Hence the spin was that,
British honour was retrieved the same day by the valiant defence of Rorke's
Drift, 10 miles from Isandlwana, many VCs medals were awarded in recognition of
the men's bravery - the most gained in a single action, hence the
"good" news drowned the bad!
This
action at Rorke's Drift, 22- 23 January 1879, when some 84 British
soldiers aided by the Martini-Henry rifles (the latest gun technology of that
time, but prone to over heating), and in the first instance supported by a much
larger number of African troops but armed only with spears and shields defended
a supply station against some 4,000 Zulu's warriors. Unfortunately the native
contingent and some soldiers down tools and fled before the battle, Time did not
allow Neil to go into details about the Natal Native Contingent who fled the
scene. In subsequent correspondence Neil explained, no action was taken against
them other than disbandment, he was not entirely certain but believed that
the Colonial Officer and NCOs were disciplined and sacked from further
service.
The
Zulu attacks had extended all around the front of the post, and fighting raged
at hand-to-hand along the mealie-bag wall, this was a defensive wall made of
bags containing horse food and tinned food and was improvised in a short space
of time, Neil suggested this could have been as short as one hour. Lieutenant
Chard himself took up a position on the barricade, firing over the mealie-bags
with a Martini-Henry, whilst Lieutenant Bromhead directed any spare men to plug
the gaps in the line. The understanding of the layout and defence wall became
apparent with the maps projected to show the plans of buildings etc. and Neil's
very detailed explanation of the situation and the subsequent events.
The
men in the yard and on the front wall were dangerously exposed to the fire of
Zulu marksmen posted, with antiquated but effective muzzle loaders in the rocky
terraces on Shiyane (Oskarsberg) hill behind the post. Several men were hit,
including Acting Assistant Commissary Dalton, and Corporal Allen. Surgeon
Reynolds treated the wounded as best he could despite the fire. Once the veranda
at the front of the hospital had been abandoned, the Zulu's had mounted a
determined attack on the building itself, setting fire to the thatched roof with
spears tied with burning grass.
The
doors had been barricaded with mealie bags, but the Zulu's, solved the problem
of rifle fire by grabbing hold of the exposed rifles and pulling the soldier and
mealie bags into the open and thus gaining entrance after dispatching the
soldier with their short spears. The defenders were forced to evacuate the
patient's room by room, eventually passing them out through a small opening into
the open yard.
Chard
then decided that the Zulu pressure was too great, and ordered a withdrawal to a
barricade of biscuit boxes which had been hastily erected across the yard, from
the corner of the store-house to the front mealie-bag wall. In this small
compound the garrison would fight for their lives throughout most of the coming
night. In the after speech question time, Neil said that only 15 soldiers were
killed, a couple dying of wounds later, but many had been wounded. The number of
Zulu warriors was estimate as 600, although 10,000 round of ammunition had been
fired. The British troops were considered formidable when a 21 inch bayonet
(known by the troops as the "Lunger") was attached to their
rifles for close combat fighting.
At
Rorke's Drift, eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded. Seven to the 2nd Battalion,
24th Regiment of Foot, one each to the Royal Engineers, the Army Medical
Department, the Commissariat/Transport Department and the Colonial Volunteers (Corporal
Schultz).
After
a most interesting lecture, many details of the movement of men within the
battle and the bravery of individuals, which Neil was able to explain, without
any pause or detailed notes, Derek Youell rose to give the vote of thanks on
behalf of the membership for a most informative and detailed explanation of what
actually took place as oppose to our concept of watching the film ZULU, such is
the film worlds history when they depict historic events!
The
membership responded with applause to reciprocate our appreciation of the
lecture.