If Durnford Had Been A 24th Officer ?

Subject: Re: If Durnford Had Been A 24th Officer ? Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:01 pm

......and there was me thinking that some of my topics came from somewhere out of left field.

Guest

It was to do with a book called How Can Man Die Better where the author was very critical of Durnford but his loyalty to the 24th was absolute, never questioning anything they did at Isandlwana. Would he have been so hostile to Durnford if he had also been in the 24th considering this loyalty ?

"You want to win ? Turn me loose !" - Gamer

Posts : 1998 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 23

He would have attacked lord Chelmsford Idea

Cheers
DB14

Subject: Re: If Durnford Had Been A 24th Officer ? Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:54 pm

[quote="Kable"]It was to do with a book called How Can Man Die Better where the author was very critical of Durnford but his loyalty to the 24th was absolute, never questioning anything they did at Isandlwana. Would he have been so hostile to Durnford if he had also been in the 24th considering this loyalty ?

I think you have answered you own Q Kable. No.

Guest

Yes I think Lord Chelmsford would be his focus. I don't know how the author (Col. Snook) in that situation could then write the Blame Game as both of the commanding officers would then have been 24th but I read that the senior commanding officer is liable for any defeat. How would he be able to blame them if he never criticised the 24th ? If hostile towards Durnford as an R.E. officer in command at Isandlwana, how could he then give an opposite version ? Would he have wrote about Isandlwana without blaming anyone ?

"You want to win ? Turn me loose !" - Gamer

Posts : 1998 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 23

He would have justifed Durnfords actions and ranted on about Chelsmford mistakes Idea

Cheers
DB14

Posts : 65 Join date : 2011-12-15

I wonder, did the bushmans pass affair also play it's part in the blame being laid at Durnford's door?
It's easier to blame a man if his command abilities have already been questioned.
Just a thought.

Subject: Re: If Durnford Had Been A 24th Officer ? Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:56 pm

matthew83 wrote:: I wonder, did the bushmans pass affair also play it's part in the blame being laid at Durnford's door?
It's easier to blame a man if his command abilities have already been questioned.
Just a thought.

Good point, yes.
And the fact that he was a memebr of the RE not an infantry regiment, and, he was dead so couldn't answer back. A very convenient scapegoat for Chelime to attempt to lay the blame on.