Rorke's Drift 1879/Afghanistan 2006 similar situation?

Question

After the defence of Rorke's Drift in January,1879 seven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders. I understand it has long been believed that this was a political decision by the government against the recommendations of the Army, to take public attention away from the disaster of Isandalwana. Now there is talk of a similar situation in Afghanistan with the award of a large number of decorations to our servicemen/women serving there. I appreciate that our soldiers have proven their bravery on many occasions but am wary of anything this goverment 'spins' about Afghanistan or Iraq.

Answer 1

Well no, Rorke's Drift and Afghanistan are two completley different situations, the reason for this is:

For starters, Rorke's drift was a battle in the Anglo-Zulu war when Natal was under British control, We fought tha war because King Chetswaeo didn't dispand his armies, which posed a threat the British interests in Natal and the neighbouring nations in South africa, plus, the Zulus were a tribe that were in March of 1879, brought under because we (the British) slaughtered the tribe, and made it a seriously less potent threat to South Africa.

Afghanistan is different, we are fighting a terrorist regime that at some point had a government holding on the country, now we are fighting terrorists armed with automatic weapons, not tribesmen armed with spears.

Also, if I may make one last point, Rorke's Drift was a battle fought on Zulu terms, in other words, they sparked the battle there, not us, we fought on Isandliwana on our terms and on the Massai Plains on our terms, the Zulus attacked Rorke's Drift, not the other way round.

Answer 2

Your Numbers are wrong. At Rorke's Drift, eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded. Seven to the 2nd Battalion, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, one to the Army Medical Department, one to the Royal Engineers, one to the Commissariat and Transport Department and one to the Natal Native Contingent. As there were also VCs awarded for the Isandalwana debacle what your saying might not be true of The Zulu wars. Going by past history of this government their spin doctors may wish to"bury bad news" and the announcement of awards of Medals for gallantry may be a good day to make other less welcome news available, but anyone who is in the firing line deserves a medal for being there at the behest of a bad government.
To expat the 2 were awarded postumusly the other was awarded at the time. I didn't want to take away from the award of those that earned it as now. Those that recieve awards earn those awards no matter the circustances. Burying bad news at the time of those awards is despicable. Those that choose to slip something in behind the awards are acting Dishonourably.

Answer 3

Absolutely right , Very sure that the men in the first and second wars did as much or more and received less ! Example only 1 Victoria Cross was awarded to a fighter pilot in the second world war ! Give them medals but no Victoria crosses , in reply to another answer from Ashley k , yes 3 VCs was awarded for isandlwana , the two guys that carried the flag Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill ,but they were not granted till 1907 long after the zulu war had finished ! The 3 rd was to a private Wassell who saved somone from drowning in the escape ,

Answer 4

I believe passionately in rewarding valour, however I have read this week about Pte Beharry's problems with being the only living VC. It compared his struggles with the hero worship with those of other past VC's which were not awarded posthumously. Virtually all of these have committed suicide.

If a living VC holder walks into the room in which you are sitting, you are going to stand no matter what rank you/s/he holds aren't you? Just think - wherever Pte Beharry goes he has to cope with this sort of thing, the poor chap is afraid that he will never again be fit for duty, unyet he he has to cope with being treated as someone "different" every day which adds to his suffering.

Of course he is different to the rest of us, but he finds the constant reminders difficult to cope with. Whilst issuing VC's to others will relieve some of the pressure it will just share it around.

Tony Blair, if people earn a VC and it is not posthumous then yes indeed award them, but don't award medals just because you want to put a positive "spin" on the Afghanistan conflict. Our boys and girls deserve better than that. Please don't debase the award, or add to peoples suffering, for political purposes.

Yes I agree with your question.

Answer 5

Gingertod, just what are you on about? Please, go away and wrap yourself in a flag on soem other forum, this guys trying to ask a qenuine, and excellent, question, you ignorant girl.

Poster, thats a good point your making. With the allegations that the MOD are covering up casualties and that troops are coming back from the war with severe trauma, we've got to ask if the recent wave of awards isn't just designed to draw attention away from the war itself, and onto the Soliders.

Any government knwos that however unpopular a war is, nearly every British Citizen will support the troops. Im sure the awards are all, of course, deserved, but to suddenly see so many appointed..well, soundsl ike the old Spin Machine is back in play

Answer 6

I think it's ok to give them awards to keep morale it has to be so low, I wonder often if many of them now how the country disapproves of our occupation in both countries or well at least the ones who have been there. I'm wary of this whole situation myself and wish to find a peaceful end to a violint battle, but we may not anytime soon at least. I often find myself wondering if what the news and what our government present to us as truthful. So I myself has spent a little time wondering also and perhaps I will do more. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

As RAMSBOTTO. said, different era.
Plus it was 11 VCs. You must also remember it was 180 men up against 4000 Zulus! I would say that was pretty good going bearing in mind what had just happened to the british army!
As for Afghanistan? Our guys are working their butts off under extreme conditions, They need our support, and if it means handing out medals so be it!

Answer 8

in the British you dint get medals you win them for your actions .what i cant understand about Afghanistan is that British troops are part of the NATO element in the country because of the amount of members in NATO it has to be the worlds most powerful military force so why is it that British troops USA troops and Canadian troops are having such a hard time fighting is it because the governments of NATO troops are not fully committed to the cause ? please don't forget that the Gurkha's are there which i would say are the most loyal solider and i am proud to have served with them

Answer 9

GOOD POINT , BUT DIFFERENT ERA WITH DIFFERENT POLITICS AND DON'T THINK THAT AWARDS FOR BRAVERY TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE BATTLEFIELD
YOU ARE ENTITLED TO YOUR NARROW OPINION BUT YOU SHOULD LOOK AT THE PEOPLE INVOLVED NOT THE SPIN
DON'T LET THE POLITIC OF SPIN CLOUD THE ISSUE AND DON'T FORGET THAT THE MODERN MEDIA MAKE IT HARDER (NOT IMPOSSIBLE) TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC ON SUCH THINGS COMPARED TO 1879

Answer 10

Check out the movie 'Zulu', its about the events that took place at Rourke's Drift, it also featured Michael Caine in his first starring role.