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DateOriginal Topic
10th November 2002What Would You have Done?
By Glenn Wade
If you had been in Chard's position at Rorke's Drift, how would you have organised the defence, if any at all and why?
Glenn
DateReplies
11th November 2002Miguel
I think the Americans has an expression for this, 'Monday morning quarterbacking'. The question, however is really interesting, Wade, thanks for posting it.

I believe it was Dalton who convinced Chard and Bromhead that retiring to Helpmekaar (the initial plan) was suicide and the only option was to hold the ground, and he was the one who directed the works, Chard approving later.

All circumstances considered, like the rush in which the defenses had to be built (they were said the Zulus would be there in 5 minutes), the materials available and all, I think it was a fairly good defensive position.

Chard made also an excellent decision, when the NNH fled, to build a second, inner retrenchment.

If we want to switch to scholar mode and follow the books, the most important thing in fortification (something Chard, as an engineer, was perfectly aware of) is that every part of a fortified position must be commanded and flanked by others. The only flanking in Rorke's drift (a deadly one as it usually is, even when it was technically defective) was the one from the storehouse that commanded the front side of the hospital (the side firstly attacked by the Zulus). All accounts tell of how the Zulu advance was checked when they entered that cross-fire zone.

But this is just stupid rethoric, in Rorke's drift there was neither the time nor the tools to think of a textbook ground plan. The British understood that any kind of barrier (laager-like) would do against light infantry facing Martini-Henrys.

The only improvement I can think of is this: I understand there were some trees by the bushes in front of the house (the one Chard says he didn't have time to clear). A cut down tree or group of trees is an excellent obstacle when properly prepared (the technical term is 'abatis' and every engineer of that time knew how to do it). But Chard probably didn`t have the cutting tools required.

Perhaps more square, inner redoubts made of mealie bags would have been advisable, but to this refer to next paragraph.

Lack of tools, constrains of time and the hardness of the ground probably made impossible to even consider elaborated measures like digging a small ditch in front of the hospital or the planting of stakes reinforcing the mealie bags wall.

If they had a good supply of bottles, they could have broken them and disperse the pieces of glass surrounding the weakest parts of the position, quite an excellent device against bare-foot infantry...

Burning the bushes in front was a dangerous decision, for the smoke could have obstaculized aiming and vision. But fire could have been a tool to consider.

Ach! but this is just tea-time talking. All things considered, they made a good work.

Miguel
Canary Islands
Spain
11th November 2002Miguel
Another note:

Call me stupid, but since I don't have an exact image of the Oskarberg, I cannot rule out this option:

What if they had retired to the top of the Oskarberg carring ammo and supplies with them? Is this too stupid to say even for a moron like me? I mean, I had this idea of the Oskarberg like a place which could only be attacked from one side of the hill, and with that steep the Zulus would have been hard pressed to make an unstopable thrust. But I am probably all wrong.
11th November 2002Alan Critchley
Miquel,
the Oskarberg behind Rorke's Drift is just the low end of a much larger hill. The Zulus could have descended on the British from the higher part having just crossed the Buffalo River.

Alan
[email protected]
11th November 2002Dan Rudary
Dear Glenn,
I would have organized a defense on the grounds, but if I were Chard I would make a smaller perimiter, as to leave out some of the gaps that were formed during the battle. I think I would have built a high redoubt, and have a row of men three or four deep inside giving a constant volley fire with the wounded and ammunition in the center of the redoubt. That way the Zulus could not get close enough to inflict many casualties. The drawbacks of this are that ammunition would run out more quickly, although Chard did have plenty with him, and that the defenders would not be protected from the Zulu snipers on the Oskarberg. In fact, a tighter, more condensed defense would give them a better target.

Your Friend,
Dan
12th November 2002steven
id give full command to reynolds. im related to reynolds.
13th November 2002Lee Stevenson
Reynolds held the senior rank anyway......I'm not related to Reynolds...but I know a man who is!!