What was G company supposed to do?

Posts : 42 Join date : 2024-01-28 Location : Baja, Hungary

I've read conflicting sources regarding whether Rainforth's G company was supposed to relieve, or just reinforce the garrison at Rorke's Drift, i.e. B Company, 2nd Battalion. Appearently, the latter were eager to join the campaign in Zululand, therefore, they were quite impatient when G company was late. I have some doubts about this, as i've only heard it it one video. Also, is it imaginable that their original orders might have been relieving B company, which would then join Chelmsford, but after what happened at Isandlwana, they would have decided to try and hold the station with their forces now being larger? Just the same was as they actually did, without G company anyway.
Thanks in advance!

Subject: Re: What was G company supposed to do? Sat Feb 03, 2024 4:30 am

I have always believed that the 1/24th Companies, at Helpmaaker, were supposed to relieve, B 2/24th who were to join the main army.

Those Companies, were then to build a 'fort' near Rorke's Drift.

I have read that the lines of communication troops (can't remember which infantry battalion was on the way, but I will look it up later) were eventually going to replace the 24th - allowing those companies to push on into Zululand.

Presumably (and this is only my theory), supply depots would then have been created, in the wake of the Centre Column, at a day's march intervals - one being at Isandlwana.

There is a little snippet concerning Gardner (returning from Lord Chelmsford to Isandlwana) with orders to send the 2/24th camp forward and fortify the camp at Isandlwana.

If true, this I believe was provide a supply depot for future use.

Cheers

Simon

Subject: Re: What was G company supposed to do? Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:25 pm

Orders were left for Rainforth to go to RD and build a fort near the ferry but he never received them and so remained at Helpmekaar while his brother coy under Mostyn was ordered to proceed to Isandhlwana, did so, and is still there.

Posts : 42 Join date : 2024-01-28 Location : Baja, Hungary

Thank you both!

Subject: Re: What was G company supposed to do? Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:31 pm

...until such time as Major Spalding came to fetch him (and Major Upcher who had arrived with his coy the previous evening and had orders to proceed to Isandhlwana on the 22nd, and Major Moffat with a draft).

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