PAST EVENTS
Mr Graham Dominy came all the way from Pietermaritzburg to address our March meeting on an old, yet new, subject. The battle of Isandlwana is reasonably well known to our members, but the battle of the Little Big Horn River is not. These two battles took place within three years of one another, but thousands of kilometres apart, and yet there are some remarkable similarities between them. Our speaker's comparative analysis added a new dimension to the battles of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. This was enhanced by interesting and well selected slides.
An overwhelming might of Zulu warriors annihilated the British camp at Isandlwana. The emphasis is on a great Zulu victory. At the Little Big Horn River, in the present American state of Montana, an overwhelming force of Red Indians - The Plains Indians - massacred the 7th U.S. Cavalry on 25 June 1876; the emphasis is on "Custer's Last Stand".
In both battles white armies, composed mainly of regular soldiers, were facing the fighting men of the indigenous inhabitants, Zulu here and the Plains Indians in America, both in vastly superior numbers; but less effectively armed. The white commanders in both cases were over-confident and almost contemptuous of their foes. The Zulu and the Plains Indians were led by their traditional chiefs, both defending their homelands against invaders and an ever increasing white expansion. In both cases the white armies found themselves on terrain which, although not entirely hostile to themselves, greatly favoured the traditional battle tactics of their opponents. In both cases the weight of pressure and attack came from the centre and left wing of the attacking native warriors, the right wing playing a lesser, more detached role. In both cases the GOCs, Lt Gen Sheridan and Lt Gen Lord Chelmsford stayed out of the battles and fragmented their forces. This fragmentation and delegation of command was continued by the officers commanding on the ground, scattering smaller task-forces over a wide area. The end result was the same - no survivors, no eye-witnesses to the heroism of men who fought to the bitter end. At the Little Big Horn River the only surviving creature was a horse, 'Comanche' which was found exhausted and badly injured. Under proud and loving care it recovered and lived for another 15 years as mascot of the regiment.
Having dealt with the factual analysis and comparison of the two battles, our speaker dealt briefly with some technological aspects of the reconstruction of historical events. At Gen Custer's battle site, which was not so badly overrun by the public as at Isandlwana, scientifically conducted archaeological surveys have been able to identify in detail the progress of the battle and of localities vital for an understanding of the last stages of the battle. He felt that it would not be too late to carry out a similar survey at Isandlwana - provided the necessary finance could be found (R150 to R2 000 000!). He also mentioned a technique whereby historical photographs, converted to large scale transparencies can be fitted into special cameras and be superimposed on a view in loco, making it thereby possible to pinpoint the actual original spot or position of an historical object.
One of our visitors, Mr Brian Gavin, contributed to the interest of the evening by exhibiting samples of contemporary firearms and bayonets, together with a selection of miniature figures.
Both he and our speaker were warmly thanked by our chairman.
FUTURE EVENTS
April 11th COMMANDANT MICK McKENNA will talk on "THE RHODESIAN AFRICAN RIFLES AND THE GREY SCOUTS".
May 16th EVENING OUTING TO SAS INKONKONI where we will be personally conducted around the HQ and shown special points of interest by the OC, Cdr Alan Pembroke. Refreshments may be obtained in the ward-room afterwards. This will be the fourth of our visits to illustrious Natal Citizen Force Units, the first three being the NFA, DLI and NMR. (Please note that this meeting will take place on the third Thursday in the month). Directions will be in the next news letter.
Meetings are held in the functions room, first floor, Westville North Library, 167 Blair Atholl Rd, Westville, on the second Thursday in the month (unless otherwise adyised) commencing at 19H45 (7.45p.m.). Please bring your own glass and canned or bottled refreshments. FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
"WITH ROMMEL IN THE DESERT" Personal reminiscences of the war in North Africa by Mr R.W. Schmidt to be held in Chem A, University of Natal, Durban Campus, on Wednesday 10 April 1991 at 7.30 p.m. followed by wine and snacks (Foyer of Shepstone 1) at a cost of R8,00 per person. Please make your cheque payable to Alumni Affairs, University of Natal, King George V Ave, Durban. (Details and map available from the undersigned).
LADYSMITH HISTORICAL SOCIETY welcomes non-members on the following outings: 28 APRIL Colenso Historical Sites: Museum, Saving of the Guns, Dr Schultz' grave, Ambleside Cemetery. Afternoon outing (meet Colenso Museum 14H00) followed by cheese and wine evening in Colenso. Take food and drink for during the day and one variety of cheese plus your favourite wine.
19 MAY The Battle of Tugela Heights. Afternoon exploration outing. Meet Colenso Museum l4H00, take food and drink. For further information contact Norman Hearder (Chairman) 016l-2qqqq A/H 036l-23nnn(work) or Renzo Giani 03622-mmmm A/H 03622-pppp(work).
(Mrs)Tania van der Watt
Secretary: Durban Branch
S.A. Military History Society
Box 870 Hillcrest 3650
Tel. 74mmmm