Local historian explains the Battle of Delville Wood
During the historic six-day battle, four Newcastle soldiers were among those killed in action.
The Monte Stanco Shellhole (MOTH) hosted a delicious dinner for its members last Friday evening (July 29), at the Old Armoury. The event paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the Battle of Delville Wood.
See below for more photographs of the event:
Member of the local MOTH, Vince Nixon outlined the history of the Battle of Delville Wood, and explained why it is remembered as the ultimate example of sacrifice and heroism in the First World War.
South Africa entered WWI on the side of the Allied forces on September 8, 1914.
On July 15, 1916, Major-General H.T. Lukin ordered the South African Infantry Brigade to clear the wood at d’Elville, north-east of the village of Longueal in France, thereby protecting the flanks of the British Brigade from enemies.
On that day, the South Africans occupied the wood, but the challenge was not so much taking the wood as it was holding it. The SA brigade refused to surrender, despite fierce counter-attacks and artillery bombardment from German troops.
Three battalions from the 8th and 12th Reserve divisions launched an attack, reaching within 50 yards (46 metres) before being pushed under cover by artillery and machine-gun fire. Later that night, four German Feldartillerie brigades opened fire on Delville Wood, at a pace of 400 shells per minute.
After six days and five nights of fierce battle, the brigade was relieved on July 20. Only 750 of the Brigade’s 3,433 troops remained: the rest had been killed or injured.
During those six long days, four Newcastle soldiers were killed in action:
- Sergeant R.F. Ryder (2SAI): killed in action on July 15, 1916
- Corporal J.T. James (2SAI): killed in action on July 18, 1916
- Corporal T.O. Davis (2SAI): killed in action on July 17, 1916
- Private J.D. McKinnon (2 SAI): died of wounds on July 15,1916.
Black Africans were also involved in this war, as unarmed combatants and non-military personnel.
The Battle of Delville Wood is remembered as an example of ultimate sacrifice and heroism in WWI history, and it remains the most costly engagement the South African Brigade fought on the Western Front.
On 10 October 1926, the widow of General Louis Botha unveiled a memorial site in memory of those who died in the Battle. Every year, the MOTH order hosts a procession or supper in honour of the men who fought and died during the six-day battle at Delville Wood.
At the end of the war, there was a significant popular demand in Commonwealth countries for the fallen warriors. In the 20 years following the war, Commonwealth countries created National Memorials at the locations where their troops distinguished themselves.
Delville Wood (62 acres) was purchased after the war by author, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick and handed to South Africa.
Following this, the normal French strategy of repurchasing the land for one Franc and handing South Africa the land in perpetuity for memorial purposes was implemented. The memorial was paid for through public subscription.
General Lukin was among those involved in the memorial’s planning. Sir Herbert Baker created the memorial, which also functioned as a national memorial to all South African Overseas Expeditionary Forces personnel who died during WWI.
In total, 229 000 officers and men served in South Africa’s armed services during the conflict. 10 000 perished in battle or as a result of injury or illness, and their names are recorded in a memorial register housed at this museum.
Charles Evenden formed the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH) in 1927, as a brotherhood of South African former front-line soldiers. The aim is to assist brothers in need, whether financially or physically, and to honour all servicemen who have answered the Sunset Call both in war and in peace.
For more photographs and details on the supper, see the upcoming edition of the Newcastle Advertiser.
The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550).
