In the direction of Hepmekaar...

Guest

Hi all

Who could tell me how exactly, Chard was notified of the massacre at Isandhlwana?

And therefore, what time the garrison could have left RD in the direction of Hepmekaar and how many kilometers were cycled through in that direction at 4.30 pm January 22, 1879, arrival time of the inDluyengwe regiment at RD ...

Cheers

Pascal

Subject: In the direction of Helpmekaar Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:10 am

Hi Pascal.
This has been well covered in previous discussions , all the details you need are there . Maybe look in the ' Gen Disc area '
cheers 90th. Idea

Guest

Ok Gary, I see this, but I think if Chard had left RD, Zulu would not have attacked if he had been out of sight ...

Cheers

Pascal

Guest

In my opinion, if Chard had abandoned Rorke's Drift before the arrival of the Zulus it would not follow and the Zulu would not have attacked his troops if they are been out of sight ...
...

Posts : 2308 Join date : 2010-07-02 Age : 41

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Guest

Thank you, but I think they should go, why sacrifice? Their place was in Helpmekar, where there were civilians to protect !

D'ailleurs I guess no orders were given in case of attack the post !

A thing that LC would have never imagined ! Very Happy

Subject: In the direction of Helpmekaar Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:46 pm

Rascal .
How could they leave RD with the amount of stores and provisions that were there ! . They also were sent an order not to abandon the post from memory , can't remember if it was from Gardiner or Essex , it may have been another . Also how do you think they were going to Transport all the sick , they didnt have enough wagons to facilitate a withdraw as all the wagons were at Isandlwana , all this and the reasons have been discussed previously , try using the search box .
90th.

Subject: In the direction of Helpmekaar Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:51 pm

Rascal I forgot to say the zulu would've attacked , no doubt , they werent going to RD for a holiday ! . They wanted to Kill those that were there , as they the zulu were the reserve at Isandlwana , and with the pent up blood lust they were spoiling for a fight . I dont believe for one moment if the British left , the zulu would've let them go safely to Helpmekaar . From memory its uphill from RD to H'mekaar so the British wouldnt have travelled far, and certainly would've been disposed of very , very quickly out in the open , which is what the zulu would've been wanting .
90th

Guest

There were three wagons in RD, there were only eight men who could not stand (after Julian) evidence, all other patients in the hospital, could have fight or help during the siege ... The material does not count, men and Helpmekaar first...

Guest

Dabulamansi certainly did not go further than RD, there is no evidence for it!

Subject: Inthe direction of Helpmekaar Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:22 pm

Rascal .
Dabulamanzi certainly couldnt go past RD ! . How could he ! . His men had fought for 15 hrs , hadnt eaten for possibly 24 hrs or more and they werent young men either ! . Why would he or how could he possibly go further into Natal ??? . I can tell you it would've been a different story if he didnt have to fight at RD and only had to chase the soldiers for a mile or so . It would have been over very quickly out in the open with only 100 or so fit men , would have been a very small square , overcome rapidly due to numbers .
90th

Guest

Dabulamanzi Certainly couldnt go past RD! Yes Gary Therefore Chard was safe to leave RD! Zulus have all lost a lot of time so, to loot, to eat and burn the post!

Cheers PTR