| Historical Battlefield Tours
KwaZulu Natal was the battlefield of two of the most important
wars in history, the campaigns of Shaka that forged the Zulus into a great
empire and impacted African events as far north as Kenya and the Boer War
which should have served as a harbinger of the great European conflicts
that followed.
The Boer War is important to military history because it marked the
opening of 20th century warfare and the close of 19th century warfare.
It featured such colorful characters as Louis Botha, Winston Churchill,
who became the wars most famous POW and Lord Roberts, the famed general
of India. Little heeded by the leaders of World War I, the Boer War
served as a dire warning to the few who did pay attention, such as the
preeminent military strategist Lidell Hart, of the impact of modern
artillery on the conduct of warfare. Not only was this not understood,
but the British in their assessment of Boer "backwardness" overlooked the
South African preeminence in explosives manufacture to serve the needs
of the gold mines. The escapades of Louis Botha demonstrated
the advantage of mobility in the face of overwhelming British force, again
a lesson not headed by strategists of the First World War. If the
Boers eventually "lost" the war because of British efficiency in logistics,
the British lost many famous battles trying to take kopies on top of which
the Boers had positioned a few guns; hills which the Boers were all too
happy to abandon once excruciating losses had been inflicted. Many
famous veterans of the British Empire lost their reputations bogged down
in what everyone had expected to be a romp.
We offer a 2-day tour of the KwaZulu Natal Battlefields guided
by Evan Jones a recognized historian of the Boer War who grew up in the
heart of the Battlefields Route.
Day 1
Travel to the site of Churchill's Capture and the Armored Train Wreck
at Frere. The sites of various skirmishes will be described along the way.
Then travel to Spioenkop - site of the bloodiest battle of the Boer War
- explaining the events leading up to the battle and the different personalities
involved. On to Talana where you view the Museum (world famous for it's
glass collection). Lunch "Miner's Rest" at the Museum complex and
an explanation of the Battle of Talana (the first engagement of the Anglo-Boer
War). If time permits climb the hill to view the gunpits and
the Fort on the top.
Overnight "Lennox Cottage" a Satour accredited guest farm which
nestles at the foot of Lennox Hill where, history tells us, the Boers hid
their horses during the Battle of Talana Hill. Our hosts are Dirk and Salomè
Froneman (Dirk is a former Rugby Springbok) - a highly recommended D/B/B
establishment.
Day 2
After breakfast leave for iSandlwana - with explanation of events leading
up to the Anglo-Zulu War, logistical problems as well as Zulu strategy
and battle plans, at stops on the way. Visit the lower end of the
battlefield with an explanation of the battle from Zulu side with a detailed
map, after which we visit the Orientation Centre and Battle Site.
On to Rorke's Drift where, after a picnic lunch prepared by Salomè,
tour the whole perimeter of the enclosed fighting area with explanations
on the personalities, happenings and incidents, both inside the hospital
and outside at the "walls", leading up to and during the twelve hour defence
of
the post when 101 men of 'B' Company of the Second Battalion 24th Regiment
of Foot - the Warwickshires (who became the South Wales Borderers in 1881)
fought off between 4000 and 4500 Zulus.
Then tour the Orientation Centre and Museum.
Overnight at Simunye Zulu cultural village - Melmoth, Dinner
Bed and Breakfast and a Zulu Cultural experience with dancing.
$420 per person.
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