Talana Museum

Delville wood 110 years on.
Today 110 years ago the South African Brigade was given instructions to take and hold Delville Wood at all costs.

The Somme battle was the largest battle of World War 1 on the Western Front, and it was the British Empire’s greatest military disaster.
The Battle of the Somme lasted 4 and a half months between 1 July - 18 November 1916 on both sides of the upper reaches of the River Somme in France.
On 2 July alone 58000 men killed and wounded.

Delville Wood was part of this offensive and was essential to any further British advance eastwards. This wood was linked by numerous others that formed the front line. Along the line other battles were taking place that preceeded and succeeded the battle in Delville wood. Remember no battle is fought in isolation but is part of a bigger picture.

Bad weather, information and predictions about result of bombardments led to disastrous results and German line in the main held against the attacks.

On 15 July 1916, the S.A. Infantry Brigade under Major-General H.T. Lukin was ordered to clear the wood, north-east of the village of Longueal, France, of enemy soldiers, thereby covering the flanks of the British Brigade.
Tthe South African Brigade, comprising 1, 2, 3 and 4 South African Infantry divisions ,was ordered to hold Delville Wood in France at all costs. The South Africans occupied the wood on that day, but the problem was not so much to take the wood, but to hold it.
This wood was critical as if the Germans succeeded in breaking through it would divide the Allied line in 2.

The South Africans carried spades for digging, but the roots and tree trunks in the woods made it impossible to dig proper trenches so they were only able to dig shallow shelters before the German soldiers counter-attacked their positions.

For six days, German forces pounded the wood with continuous artillery fire, shattering the trees into a barren wasteland. Despite fierce counter attacks and artillery bombardments from German divisions, the SA brigade refused to surrender

War is a story of loss.

We bemoan the futility of war, but must remember that, for a young man brought up in an small community, perhaps eking out a living in a dull, boring job, joining the army and being sent off to fight in foreign lands, was probably the highlight of his life.

During World War One, Dundee had 392 men and 1 woman volunteer who went to war out of a total European population of 3447. 11,5 % of the population.

89 of those were killed in action or died on active service, which is the equivalent of aaprox 23% casualties – disastrous for our small community.

Stay with me for more stories each day until the South African Brigade were relieved on 20 July 1916 and what happened to the men from Dundee.

The latest edition of the digital magazine of the KZN Battlefields Route is now available. This issue looks at the Southern most point the Boers reached in Natal during the war.
Focus is on the Mooi River and Estcourt area of the province.
Horses played a pivotal role during the wars in Natal and we gave a special section of memorials to the horses and also the military hospital in Mooi River.
The 170th anniversary of Fort Nottingham and the annual ,Highland Gathering on 1 August. So if you have any Scottish connection in your ancestry we will see you there.

Click on the link below to read this edition.

www.battlefieldsroute.co.za