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Leliefontein

I suppose the significance of Leliefontein should be stated:

The Action At Leliefontein


The Royal Canadian Dragoons were nearing the end of their term in South Africa's Boer War. It was November 1900 and the Regiment was garrisoned at Belfast in the province of Transvaal as part of a large flying column made up of artillery, infantry and cavalry units. The purpose of the column was to destroy outlying farms used by the Boers as outposts and attack fortified camps on the Komati River used as bases for guerilla operations. It is one of such attacks, near the farm of Leliefontein, which has become memorable for the Royal Canadian Dragoons.

In one day the flying column had advanced southward from Belfast and uprooted a Boer stronghold along the side the Komati River. There the column advanced for the night, only to be counter-attacked the next morning, November 7, 1900, by the enemy. The Boers had obviously been strongly reinforced overnight so the column was ordered back to Belfast. Covering the vulnerable rear of the withdrawal were the Dragoons under their commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel F.L. Lessard as well as "D" Battery, Royal Canadian Field Artillery under Lieutenant E.W.B. Morrison.

The withdrawal of the column was slow due to its large supply and baggage train traveling at its rear. The column had to be safe behind the ridge before the rear-guard could abandon a covering position. Then, openly vulnerable to a Boer fire and pursuit, the Canadians had to make a two to three mile dash over a treeless plain to the next ridge with no support from the retiring column.

The Dragoons, at that time barely one hundred strong, were holding a plateau two miles long when they suddenly became aware that the enemy had almost encircled them, cropping up a semi-circle on their left and front. When the courier arrived to say that Lieutenant Cockburn's two under-strength troops on the extreme left were under heavy attack, Colonel Lessard ordered Lieutenant Morrison to retire one gun and take the other to help Lieutenant Cockburn. Galloping over a mile, much of it upgrade, Morrison got his gun into action but the Boers were swarming up their front and he asked Cockburn to extend his men forward to cover the gun. Hardly a dozen shells had been fired when the gunners saw a large party of Boers coming in on their left rear. Cockburn saw them too, and as the half section limbered up and galloped back, the young officer thrust his men between the gun and the oncoming enemy. Only thirty in all, they stood firm against the onslaught of two hundred Boers. It was splendid sacrificed as the small party was wiped out. Six escaped, the rest were killed, wounded or taken prisoner, and among the latter was Lieutenant Cockburn.

The gun got away but was not safe. The horses, spent from the second straight day of strenuous action, slowed from a gallop to a trot, then to a walk. Morrison unlimbered and again went into action. A running fight followed, the cavalry resisting every inch of the way, the gunners, with ammunition running dangerously low, deliberately picking best targets.

With the Boers barely three hundred yards away the gun was again in jeopardy. Limbering up, Morrison once again attempted to gain the ridge. The brief respite had helped the exhausted horses and the gun crew ran beside the carriage to lighten the load, but only one trooper remained an escort and Morrison sent him off to ask aid from Colonel Lessard. The Dragoons were involved in a furious battle all across the plain and the trooper gave his message to the first officer he found, Lieutenant R.E.W. Turner.

Lieutenant Turner, already wounded in the neck and arm, promptly led his troop to the rescue. Only a dozen strong, they galloped over, threw themselves from their horses and poured volley after volley into the advancing Boers, by the not fifty yards away. Again the gun got away, reached the ridge and once more went into action. Miraculously, Turner and his men escaped both death and capture.

As every rifle was vital to the Dragoons, Sergeant Holland, alone and under heavy enemy attack, continued to operate the Colt machine gun, it's deadly burst of fire taking terrible toll but not stopping the Boer advance. Leaving withdrawal to the last possible moment, Sergeant Holland invited capture the barely escaped, saving his gun by lifting it from it's mounting and galloping off with the weapon under his arm. Having failed to capture any guns, the Boer pursuit tapered off and by late afternoon the column and rear-guard were all back in camp. In view of the fierce and prolonged action, the Canadian casualties were light but higher than for any one previous engagement. Lieutenant Cockburn, released by the Boers later that same day, Lieutenant Turner and Sergeant Holland were all awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding courage, valour and devotion in the face of the enemy, and Private W.A. Knisley, the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Lieutenant Morrison received the Distinguished Service Order for his part in the day's work.
 
Well, due to Operational commitments, The Royal Canadian Dragoons will be celebrating Leliefontein early in 2006.  For your info, some of the activities:

You are cordially invited to join the Royal Canadian Dragoons Regimental family to commemorate the 106th Anniversary of The Action of 7 November, 1900  at LELIEFONTEIN,  South Africa Activities will be held at CFB Petawawa on 14 October, 2006

1030 – Leliefontein Parade at Worthington Parade Square Dress: DEU 1A, jacket & tie                            Children are welcome!

1200 – Parade reception at the Coriano Club

1900 – Officer and NCO combined mixed dining-in at the Reichwald NCO Mess  Dress: Mess Kit, formal
 
It is with much regret that we have to announce the following from the Regiment:

FUNERAL/MEMORIAL SERVICES

As we are all aware, the Regiment has lost a couple of great soldiers in Cpl Mitchell and Sgt Gillam.  Timings for funeral and memorial services are still very much in the air at this point, and may not be finalized until next week.  There is a good chance that they will occur late next week, or even next weekend given historical timelines. 

CANCEL MAJORITY OF LELEIFONTEIN ACTIVITES

The CO, LCol Cadden in consultation with the Colonel of the Regt, Col Appleton, have therefore decided to cancel the majority of Leliefontein activities scheduled for next weekend, 14 Oct 06.  The following is the impact and new plan (if available):

PARADE: Parade is cancelled.
Subunits will commemmorate Lelieftonein as best they can on or around 7 Nov, wherever they happen to be.

GUILD BOARD: The Guild Board Meeting will still be held Sat 14 Oct, as scheduled.
Dress is jacket and tie.
If funeral activities conflict, this will be rescheduled

OFFICER/SNR NCO
MIXED DINING-IN Cancelled until another time.
 
Leliefontein or Leeuwarden?

I think you have the two mixed up      ;)

AFAIK the city flag of Leeuwarden has never flown half mast on the 15th of April.

During Leliefontein we don't fly that town's flag IIRC.

George can bring some clarity to this.

Regards
 
Also Recce By Death, Leliefontein is the name of a farm if I remember correctly, not a town.
 
Recce Soldier, you are correct.

In my opinion, even if there had been no decorations awarded, Leliefontein still was an action well worth remembering. It was a vital engagement that was fought with great skill, gallantry and determination by both sides. What is not generally known is that the RCD suffered close to one third casualties, including three out of the five officers engaged, although this included a number of prisoners who were released by the Boers within days.

For those who are interested in further details, there are two accounts. The first is by Ben Greenhous in the RCD history and the second is in Fighting for Canada: Seven Battles, 1758-1945. In my opinion, the RCD battle group (I am including the left section of D Battery) was the best all round Canadian unit that fought in South Africa.
 
Old Sweat said:
For those who are interested in further details, there are two accounts. The first is by Ben Greenhous in the RCD history and the second is in Fighting for Canada: Seven Battles, 1758-1945. In my opinion, the RCD battle group (I am including the left section of D Battery) was the best all round Canadian unit that fought in South Africa.
Click to expand...

Noteably there is no mention of Leliefontein in Pierre Burton's "Marching as to War"  ::) Apparently three VC's weren't that noteworthy after all.  >:(
 
Let me add my best wishes to Dragoons everywhere on our special day. In particular, our thoughts are with our brothers in arms in Afghanistan.
 
http://www.army.dnd.ca/RCD/rcd/RHQ/a_tribute_to_valour.htm

In the hot South African afternoon sun, as the bullets whizzed past like angry hornets, the men were yelling and the horses ranted in fear. Behind them, the enemy was closing fast, determined to succeed. The enemy General knew if he could get his troops among the fleeing baggage train, he could decimate it piecemeal. He had called upon the neighbouring villages and townships to throw in with their force and attack the withdrawing column. He would not only gain much needed horses, supplies and firepower, but he would score a much needed psychological victory for his people. He could feel success within his grasp. He sensed the fear and panic in the long train of carts and wagons stretched out on the veldt before him. One more ridge… gain the upper ground… the battle would be won. The date was one he knew he would remember, 7 November 1900, The ridge… Leliefontein. On that ridge were 90 mounted riflemen, which was a paltry force compared to his three columns of mounted bushmen, over 300 men in all. He was not concerned about these 90 men, for he knew they were British, and he knew he could pick them off as he bypassed them. The truth he could not know, until it was too late: these valiant mounted riflemen were not British. They were Canadian. They were Dragoons.

These men from the Royal Canadian Dragoons knew they faced at least one Commando company of Boers. They guessed they would face about one hundred men, which was a force equivalent to their own. They had two five-pounder cannons from "D" Battery, The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and a Colt machine gun attached. They felt comfortable in facing the Boers. Their task was relatively simple: screen the withdrawal of the British supply column that was slowly making its way North. They watched the Boer Carolina Commando's galloping approach and then peered over their shoulders at the painfully slow moving train. The Canadian guns, under Lt. Morrison, were deployed to cover the advancing Boers, and two troops of Dragoons, with Lt. Cockburn, were deployed to protect them. This left one troop and the machine gun in reserve under Lt Turner. As the Boers closed, the cannons fired and delayed their onslaught, just as Col Lessard, the commander of this small force of Dragoons, had planned. His men did not waiver. The Boers continued to advance. Suddenly, to the shock of Col Lessard and his small force, two more large companies of Boers could be seen approaching the ridgeline from different directions. He rapidly deployed his reserve in such a way to cover the cannons as they limbered up to withdraw. "For God's sake, Morrison , save your guns!" he roared. At this point, Sgt E.J. Holland pulled his caisson mounted machine gun up to the left flank to help cover the withdrawing guns. As the Boers approached to sixty meters, Sgt Holland opened up. His first burst killed the two senior officers of the Carolina Commando who had been riding white horses, while their men rode black or brown. This made them too conspicuous on the battlefield, and Sgt Holland made good on the advantage that had been given to him. Sgt Holland began receiving withering rifle fire around both him and Tpr Knisley, the young solder who was holding his horses. Lt Turner pushed his reserve troop forward to screen the guns from the Boers. This distracted the advancing Boers from Sgt Holland long enough for him to lift the smoking gun, which had jammed, from its caisson and ride off with it in his arms. Lt Turner, urging his men to fight on cried out, " Never let it be said that the Canadians let their guns be captured!" Shortly after, his Troop Sgt, Sgt Builder lay on the ground, mortally wounded. Lt Turner himself was wounded twice, in the neck and arm. Still he urged his men to hold. He ran for his horse and headed for the main body, desperately seeking reserves. His remaining troop members, all wounded and fighting desperately, were eventually to be captured by the Boers.

Meanwhile on the right flank, Lt Cockburn, was also pushing his two troops and forced them to hold ground, as yet another Commando advanced up the ridge intent on taking the guns. Under withering fire, his troops continued to hold the Boers off as best they could. As the guns made their way off the ridge, the Dragoons began to fall back. Lt Cockburn lay wounded under his dead horse, and his troop fought a fighting withdrawal to continue to delay the Boers and but precious time. As the guns and Dragoons fell back off the ridge, the Boer rifle fire slackened then ceased. The Dragoons had accomplished their mission. Although the Boers had gained the ridge, it was too late for them to put effective fire onto the wagon train; it was safe. The Dragoons suffered three dead and eleven wounded. Lt Cockburn and the sixteen soldiers of Lt Turner’s troop, were captured but released unharmed by the Boers several hours later. For their gallant actions Lt Turner, Lt Cockburn and Sgt Holland were awarded the Victoria Cross, a unique event in Canadian military history. Lt Morrison of the RCHA was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the young Trooper who held Sgt Holland’s horse, Tpr Knisley, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Bold and Swift.
 
To all Dragoons, past and present. Huzzah and BZ on this November 7th  :cheers:
 
i second that, with a bit for the left section of D Battery. Even if no VCs had been awarded, Leliefontein is a noteworthy for a remarkable display of leadership, flexibility and courage. And the previous sentence applies to both sides.

To paraphrase Private Anderson from Saint John of the machine gun section about a previous engagement, "bullets were as thick as black flies in the Spring . . ."
 
Today in Military History

November 7


1900:

VC won by Lt Hampden Zane Churchill Cockburn, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, Leliefontien, Komati River

1900:

VC won by Lt Richard Ernest Turner, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, Leliefontien, Komati River

1900:

VC won by Sgt Edward James Gibson, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, Leliefontien, Komati River

Today in history here on army.ca is wrong.
http://www.dragoons.ca/boerwar.html

cheers
 
X-mo-1979 said:
Today in Military History

November 7

1900:
...
Today in history here on army.ca is wrong.
http://www.dragoons.ca/boerwar.html

cheers
Click to expand...

This was caught and fixed earlier today - http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/80262/post-888689.html#msg888689

If you search the calendar it comes up correct. The main page is still missing his last name for some reason.
 
Well, it's that time of the year again...........

In the hot South African afternoon sun, as the bullets whizzed past like angry hornets, the men were yelling and the horses ranted in fear. Behind them, the enemy was closing fast, determined to succeed. The enemy General knew if he could get his troops among the fleeing baggage train, he could decimate it piecemeal. He had called upon the neighbouring villages and townships to throw in with their force and attack the withdrawing column. He would not only gain much needed horses, supplies and firepower, but he would score a much needed psychological victory for his people. He could feel success within his grasp. He sensed the fear and panic in the long train of carts and wagons stretched out on the veldt before him. One more ridge… gain the upper ground… the battle would be won.

The date was one he knew he would remember, 7 November 1900, The ridge… Leliefontein.

On that ridge were 90 mounted riflemen, which was a paltry force compared to his three columns of mounted bushmen, over 300 men in all. He was not concerned about these 90 men, for he knew they were British, and he knew he could pick them off as he bypassed them. The truth he could not know, until it was too late: these valiant mounted riflemen were not British. They were Canadian. They were Dragoons.

These men from the Royal Canadian Dragoons knew they faced at least one Commando company of Boers. They guessed they would face about one hundred men, which was a force equivalent to their own. They had two five-pounder cannons from "D" Battery, The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and a Colt machine gun attached. They felt comfortable in facing the Boers. Their task was relatively simple: screen the withdrawal of the British supply column that was slowly making its way North. They watched the Boer Carolina Commando's galloping approach and then peered over their shoulders at the painfully slow moving train. The Canadian guns, under Lt. Morrison, were deployed to cover the advancing Boers, and two troops of Dragoons, with Lt. Cockburn, were deployed to protect them. This left one troop and the machine gun in reserve under Lt Turner. As the Boers closed, the cannons fired and delayed their onslaught, just as Col Lessard, the commander of this small force of Dragoons, had planned. His men did not waiver. The Boers continued to advance.

Suddenly, to the shock of Col Lessard and his small force, two more large companies of Boers could be seen approaching the ridgeline from different directions. He rapidly deployed his reserve in such a way to cover the cannons as they limbered up to withdraw. "For God's sake, Morrison , save your guns!" he roared. At this point, Sgt E.J. Holland pulled his caisson mounted machine gun up to the left flank to help cover the withdrawing guns. As the Boers approached to sixty meters, Sgt Holland opened up. His first burst killed the two senior officers of the Carolina Commando who had been riding white horses, while their men rode black or brown. This made them too conspicuous on the battlefield, and Sgt Holland made good on the advantage that had been given to him. Sgt Holland began receiving withering rifle fire around both him and Tpr Knisley, the young solder who was holding his horses. Lt Turner pushed his reserve troop forward to screen the guns from the Boers.

This distracted the advancing Boers from Sgt Holland long enough for him to lift the smoking gun, which had jammed, from its caisson and ride off with it in his arms. Lt Turner, urging his men to fight on cried out, " Never let it be said that the Canadians let their guns be captured!" Shortly after, his Troop Sgt, Sgt Builder lay on the ground, mortally wounded. Lt Turner himself was wounded twice, in the neck and arm. Still he urged his men to hold. He ran for his horse and headed for the main body, desperately seeking reserves. His remaining troop members, all wounded and fighting desperately, were eventually to be captured by the Boers.

Meanwhile on the right flank, Lt Cockburn, was also pushing his two troops and forced them to hold ground, as yet another Commando advanced up the ridge intent on taking the guns. Under withering fire, his troops continued to hold the Boers off as best they could. As the guns made their way off the ridge, the Dragoons began to fall back. Lt Cockburn lay wounded under his dead horse, and his troop fought a fighting withdrawal to continue to delay the Boers and but precious time. As the guns and Dragoons fell back off the ridge, the Boer rifle fire slackened then ceased.

The Dragoons had accomplished their mission. Although the Boers had gained the ridge, it was too late for them to put effective fire onto the wagon train; it was safe. The Dragoons suffered three dead and eleven wounded. Lt Cockburn and the sixteen soldiers of Lt Turner’s troop, were captured but released unharmed by the Boers several hours later. For their gallant actions Lt Turner, Lt Cockburn and Sgt Holland were awarded the Victoria Cross, a unique event in Canadian military history. Lt Morrison of the RCHA was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the young Trooper who held Sgt Holland’s horse, Tpr Knisley, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
Click to expand...


To all Dragoons past and present....it's a good day to be a Dragoon.      :cheers:

Bold and Swift.
 
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