Quiz: Which South African Unit?

[bantamforgot]

Just a query Jerry , where is Moslain or Nurlu in relation to Gauche wood.?

Colin

[Adam Harland]

Jerry,

the action is well covered in 'Pyramids and Poppies' by Peter Digby. pp295-314.

What is pretty clear from that narrative is that talk of 'units' rather misses the relaity on the ground. There were recognised structures still in place for 1SAI and 2SAI, 'the remnants of the 4th SAI under Captain Bunce being attached to the 2nd'.

The entire strength of the Brigade was 478, with a few men from the Bde HQ and a detachment of 9th MG Bttn, taking the total to 500. There was a high proportion of officers to ORs (2 SAI had 14 officers for 110 ORs) due to officers having joined their bttns from the transport lines the previous day. There was a grave shortage of ammunition and no road route for supply.

The withdrawal of the KOSB led to the Bde left being ordered to retire. This is described in the narrative by a Pte Philip of 4SAI. It was a party of 1 officer an 25 ORs who withdrew and it was Major Cochran, Brigade Major Beverley and RSM Keith of 4 SAI who were sent forward from Bde HQ ( approx 150 yds away) to stop the withdrawal. Dawson ( the Brigadier) describes these mens actions a brave and leading to holding the line about 100yds from Bde HQ.

On the other hand the Pte from 4SAI describes Cochran as 'quite mad' threatening to shoot the private, until he decides to go off and shoot the officer who oredered the withdrawal instead. He was killed very shortly afterwards.

The South Africans ran out of ammunition during the afternoon, and by 4pm were forced to surrender, the prisoners including Brigadier Dawson.

The SA Composite Unit was made up of the remanants of 2 companies and the remaining base details, totalling 450 men. The Brigade had ceased to exist.

Get a copy of the book, which is based around a number of Soputh African records, rather than the more official versions in Buchan. Loke too many formations, it is clear that there was not one SA Brigade, but that after Delville Wood there was another Brigade to be created, and the same was true in April 918. A Fitting tribute to some very brave men ( and a one legged baboon)

Regards

Adam