Rorke's Drift - photos taken by Lt Chard ...

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  • dogtag
    Senior Member
    • Sep 2009
    • 14985

    #1

    Rorke's Drift - photos taken by Lt Chard ...

    Funny how the movie looks so much better than the real thing.
    The Zulu chief was clearly a bad tactician.
    If you have superior numbers then use them -
    as the Russian General said "Quantity has a quality all it's own"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ttle-1879.html
  • Vern Humphrey
    Administrator - OFC
    • Aug 2009
    • 15875

    #2
    A Co, 28th Foot (South Wales Borderers) was left at Roark's Drift to build the bridge -- Chard, an Engineer officer, was there to supervise. That company was chosen because Bromhead, the company commander was deaf and not suited for combat.
    Last edited by Vern Humphrey; 12-16-2020, 11:58.

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    • dogtag
      Senior Member
      • Sep 2009
      • 14985

      #3
      A British Company is commanded by a Major.
      A Platoon by a 2nd Lt. Battalion by a Lt Col.
      Both Chard and Bromhead were 2nd Lts

      Back then of Course, who knows ?

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      • Vern Humphrey
        Administrator - OFC
        • Aug 2009
        • 15875

        #4
        Originally posted by dogtag
        A British Company is commanded by a Major.
        A Platoon by a 2nd Lt. Battalion by a Lt Col.
        Both Chard and Bromhead were 2nd Lts

        Back then of Course, who knows ?
        But nobody denies that A Company, 28th Foot defended Roark's Drift, nor does anyone deny that Bromhead was a lieutenant. In fact, Chard, who was also a lieutenant, commanded the defense because he had date-of-rank on Bromhead.

        Basic law of science: If a thing did happen, it could happen.

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        • dogtag
          Senior Member
          • Sep 2009
          • 14985

          #5
          Looks like a God forsaken place.
          The Zulus were better dressed in the movie.

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          • Mark in Ottawa
            Senior Member
            • Sep 2009
            • 1744

            #6
            An interesting historical point is that whent he Zulus departed, they did not take their wounded with them. When the British relief column arrived, they simply executed most of the wounded, throwing the bodies and some wounded, but still living Zulus, into a large pit and burying them. For some reason that I have never understood, they hanged some of the Zulus rather than bayonetting them. By the time the releif column arrived, the British were almost out of ammunition so their arrival was literally a life-saver. The Zulu commander was actually the King's brother and was under orders not to cross the river and leave Zulu territory but he did so anyway

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            • dogtag
              Senior Member
              • Sep 2009
              • 14985

              #7
              The Zulus had a ritual (British called it mutilation) to honor dead warriors.
              The British were furious as they did not understand the ritual, and mercilessly
              hunted down the Zulus. Not something to be proud of.

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              • JB White
                Senior Member
                • Aug 2009
                • 13371

                #8
                Gentlemen, at Rourke's Drift it was a remaining company of the 24th along with native Natal troops and Royal Engineers.
                The 28th ( Gloucestershire) wasn't in South Africa.

                Rank was equal but command for the record was established according to date of commission.
                2016 Chicago Cubs. MLB Champions!


                **Never quite as old as the other old farts**

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                • barretcreek
                  Senior Member
                  • Sep 2013
                  • 6065

                  #9
                  Deleted.
                  Last edited by barretcreek; 12-17-2020, 10:52.

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                  • Sunray
                    Senior Member
                    • Sep 2009
                    • 3251

                    #10
                    "...28th Foot..." 24th Regiment of Foot. 11 VC's awarded for the battle.
                    The estimated 3,000 or 4,000 Zulus who attacked had missed the fight at Isandlwana(22 January 1879) earlier in the day and wanted to make their name.
                    "...did not take their wounded..." No medical corps anyway. Or any place to take 'em.
                    "...he had date-of-rank on Bromhead..." Date of Commission. Makes engineers crazy when you tell 'em they dig holes. snicker.
                    The movie was supposed to be a vehicle for Stanley Baker(The knife guy in Guns of Navarone) but Caine, in his first starring role, stole it.
                    Crank up the volume. It's my Regiment's March too. (Along with hordes of other Regiments.)
                    Spelling and grammar count!

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                    • JB White
                      Senior Member
                      • Aug 2009
                      • 13371

                      #11
                      A misnomer is calling the 24th the South Wales Borderers during 1870,s.
                      That name didn't come about until the reforms of the 1880s. A few years after the battle. But once again, the film industry has rewritten history. Some leeway allowed for letting the audience identify with the unit though.

                      There was a lot, and I mean a LOT, of artistic license involved in the making of the film. It worked on me. I walked out of the theater begging my father for a Martini rifle
                      2016 Chicago Cubs. MLB Champions!


                      **Never quite as old as the other old farts**

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                      • Sunray
                        Senior Member
                        • Sep 2009
                        • 3251

                        #12
                        Named the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1782. South Wales Borderers from 1689. Most English regiments changed names several times over the centuries. A bunch were amalgamated a few times as well.
                        'Zulu' is still the best movie ever made.
                        Spelling and grammar count!

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                        • JB White
                          Senior Member
                          • Aug 2009
                          • 13371

                          #13
                          Doesn't change the fact that during the Zulu wars in the 1870's they were the 24th and had very few Welshmen in their ranks.
                          2016 Chicago Cubs. MLB Champions!


                          **Never quite as old as the other old farts**

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