126th Anniversary of the Battle of Rorkes Drift - where Michael Caine won the VC

[Steel Badger]

NCO's / WO's at Ishandhlwana


The Impi's had smashed all organized resistance within the Camp below Ishandhlwana....and while the Induna's began directing the mopping up operations; the remaining Europeans began their attmepts to pull out of the maelstrom.

Native Sergeant-Major Simeon Kambula of the excellent Edendale Horse of the Natal Native Contingent; in absence of his officers ; identified the moment of crisis and , in a disciplined organized body, pulled his troopers back off the Saddle and guided them to safety.

Upon reaching the Buffalo river, Sgt-Major Kambula brought his troopers safely across and then dismounted them. He had his men fire three volleys to break up the Zulu's massing on the Natal bank....and then keep his troopers in position to cover the men fleeing across the river. They remained until their ammunition had been fully expended. Then they rode out for Helpmakaar; still in an organized body......


Taken from THE WASHING OF THE SPEARS (The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation) By Donald Morris
Simon and Schuster/Touchstone Books, New York, 1965

 

[Steel Badger]

i love the movie. i also find it very interesting that 2 officers that have never had any combat experience prior to the Zulu attack could hold off thousands of Zulu's. it was an amazing movie and i have it on DOD now. they defiantly don't make them like that anymore.

You forget that the movie overlooked the pivotal role played by Acting Commisarriat James Langley Dalton...

Far from being the quasi-simpering bean counter portrayed by the movie......Dalton was a long time Sgt-Major rewared with a quasi-military commission.  Faced with a troubling decision to fight or retreat; Chard and Bromhead were guided by Dalton's insistance that flight was suicide. He further urged using the crates and mealie bags from the storehouses as material to make fortifications...
Dalton was awarded the VC for his role in the battle.

 

[Bill Smy]

I recall this movie being used in the study of the defence. The instructors used segments to demonstate various aspects of the defence: distribution of force, defence in depth, interlocking fire, counter attack-force. Then at the end of the course the whole movie was shown in total. A very effective instructional technique.

 

[DaveK]

You have to remember the British attitude of the time.
They were a world power.
Most of them considered anyone who wasn't English to be slightly less than civilized people.
Want an example?
I remember reading a newpaper article about the president of France to my Grandmother ( born in Blackpool, died in 1961 at the age of 97). You know what she said?
"Well what do you expect, he is only a Frenchman you know."

Gonville Bromhead was born in France.   Additionally he joined the British Army, I believe, in 1868 - and was in South Africa about one or two years before Rourke's Drift. Plus he was 33 when the battle was fought, hardly a twelve-year-old with a commission.

 

[043]

Ah yes, the day the Engineers took command over the infantry and lead the way! 11 VC's that day! And the glorious engineer???????? Just another day at the office.

And if you wish, I can provide quotes.

CHIMO!!!!!!!!