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The defence of RORKE'S DRIFT 1879
Situated on the Buffalo River, some twenty eight kilometres from Helpmekaar and named after James Rorke is famous for the epic battle which took place there in 1879. The Mission buildings were converted into a commissariat depot and hospital, garrisoned by about 100 men under the command of Lieuts. Bromhead and Chard. On the afternoon of 22nd January,1879 , after a large sector of the British forces at Isandlwana, had been wiped out, news was brought to the little garrison that the "whole" Zulu army was advancing on the post. Immediately steps were taken to put the post in a state of
defence. The buildings were loop holed, spaces barricaded with wagons, biscuit boxes and bags of corn flower. Shortly after, the post was fiercely attacked by a large body of Zulus under the command of Dabulamanzi. Repeated attacks during the night were repulsed with rifle and bayonet. The virosity was demonstrated by glowing gun barrels. The hospital was set on fire. Most of the inmates were rescued, with difficulty. The Zulus withdrew early the next morning when Lord Chelmsford arrived on the scene. He found survivors begrimed with smoke, their hands seared and their shoulders black and blue from rifle recoil. A third of the defensive forces had been killed or wounded and ammunition was down to it's last. Eleven V.C.s were awarded.
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The battle of ISANDLWANA 1879
The name of a prominent hill twenty three kilometres east of Rorke's Drift, on the road to Nqutu. This was the scene of one of the greatest disasters that has ever befallen the British. In addition to some 1350 British soldiers killed, a large number of Zulus also lost their lives in action. The battle was fought on 22nd January, 1879. The Zulu impi of some 25,000 men was under the command of Ntshingwayo ka Mahole Khoza. Six regiments lay in waiting, and were discovered by mounted troop. Immediately they rose, and in a spontaneous movement, advanced on the British camp at Isandlwana.
The Mbonambi and Kandapemvu concentrated on a direct attack on the camp, the Nokonke and Dududu regiments worked round to the west of Isandlwana to the rear of the camp, cutting off any possible retreat to Rorke's Drift. The Uve and Ngomakosi carried out a similar movement to the east.
About 400 who managed to escaped made their way down the Manzamnyama and crossed the Buffalo at Fugitive's Drift.
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The battle of Blood River 1838
Following the murder of Piet Retief and the Weenen massacres, Commandant A. W. J. Pretorius, with a commando of 460 men, and Carl Landman, advanced into Zululand with the object of avenging their countrymen. The two forces met on the banks of the Ncome river. The Voortrekkers gained victory, killing 3,000 of the enemy, with only three men wounded, which included Pretorius. Dingane's Mgungundhlovu kraal was destroyed and he was compelled to take refuge in Swaziland.
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Fugitive's Drift
A crossing about nine kilometres below Rorke's Drift, so named from the few who escaped Isandlwana. It was here that Lieuts. Coghill and Melville lost their lives in an attempt to save the Queens colours of the 24th Regiment, Both were posthumously awarded the V.C.
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Mangeni Falls
The area
of the Mangeni Falls and gorge forms the furthest part of the
battlefield of Isandlwana. On the 21 January 1879 Chelmsford
received reports suggesting that the Zulu Army was approaching
his positions from the direction of Ulundi. It was at Mangeni
that Chelmsford received reports that Isandlwana was under
attack on the afternoon of the 22nd. He later departed for
Isandlwana some 20 klm (12 miles) to the north west. Mangeni
falls is at it's best during the summer months. It is also known
for it fauna and flora.
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Prince Imperial
Another place that brings the course of the bitter Zulu War of 1879 to mind is the place where Eugène Louis Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte, Prince Imperial of France, was killed by the Zulus on 1 June, 1879. A monument marks the site amongst the hills on the course of the Itshotshozi River.
The disaster of Isandlwana gave rise to great military zeal in England, and the prince begged the British Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of Cambridge, to allow him to go out and fight in Zululand. His request was granted and he left for South Africa holding the rank of lieutenant.
posted to Col Harrison's scouts at Dundee.
The prince was sent in advance with six men to choose a place where the army could spend the night. The party passed the Itelezi Hill and dismounted for coffee near an apparently deserted Zulu kraal about 200 metres from the Itshotshozi River. Except to the north, the area round the kraal was overgrown with tall mealie fields. On the eastern side, a donga about two metres deep ran diagonally past the kraal. Suddenly the party noticed about fifty Zulus approaching them through tall grass from that direction and rushed to their horses to get away. The Zulus shouted and fired at them; the horses took fright and bolted and the prince fell. He rose, ran beside his horse, took hold of the saddle-bag and tried to leap onto the animal. The horse swerved and he once again fell, and his horse galloped away. The dismounted prince turned on his assailants and opened fire with his revolver, but was struck down by Zulu assegais. Two of his men died with him.
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The Battle of Talana
The battle of Talana was the first major engagement of the
Anglo-Boer War 189-1902. Although it ended with no conclusive
result, it provided an opportunity for both Boer and British
forces to appreciate the strength of their opponents.
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Battle of Elandslaagte
An attack on Elandslaagte Station by the Boers prompted
Major-General John French and Colonel Ian Hamilton to employ
innovative tactics. This battle was the scene of the last
cavalry charge by British forces in a set piece battle. The
strength of this attack had a major impact on the morale of the
Boer forces who faced it.
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Ladysmith Wagon Hill
The siege of Ladysmith drew the world's attention to this dusty,
hot town in Natal. Although constantly under bombardment by the
Boers , it was disease due to privations and poor sanitation,
rather than military action, that caused the greatest number of
casualties to the besieged.
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Fort Mistake
A British
signaling post build during the First Anglo-Boer war 1880-1881
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Walks
on our 1000 acre estate. Climb up Sinqindi hill and take
in a bird's eye view of the battlefields stretched out below.
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