Ork's Drift - Massacre at Big Toof River | Warhammer 40k Lore

Praetorian Guard Massacre at Big Toof River & Glazer's Creek. Also known as battle of Ork's Drift.
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The Praetorian Guard XXIVth travel to Montar to deal a decisive blow to the newly formed Ork Waaagh invading the system. The battle turns out different than expected.
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Kevin MacLeod
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#Warhammer #imperialguard

[@weldonwin]

Men of Terra, stop your dreaming, Can't you see their axes gleaming, And their Orkish banners streaming to this battlefield...

[@chompchoy4881]

Men of Terra stand ye steady It can not be ever said ye For the trenches were not ready Mankind will not yield

[@sethcorvus811]

See, they now are flying! Dead are heap'd with dying! Over might hath triumph'd right, Our land to foes denying; Upon their soil we never sought them, Love of conquest hither brought them, But this lesson we have taught them, "Mankind ne'er can yield!"

[@weldonwin]

@@sethcorvus811 Up next... Here's forty credits on the drum, For those who volunteer to come, To list and fight the foe today, Through the warp and far away... Through the warp and through the stars, Over Cadia, Catachan and Mars, The Emperor points and we obey, Through the warp and far away...

[@sethcorvus811]

All gentlemen that have a mind, To serve the Emperor of Mankind, Come 'list and enter into pay, Through the warp and far away. Through the warp and through the stars, Over Cadia, Catachan and Mars, The Emperor points and we obey, Through the warp and far away... @@weldonwin

[@trevordenver9877]

Yes, the actually men of harlech song was playing in my head while watching this, and now you gave it appropriate lyrics, epic

[@wdn9949]

I remember reading this in a white dwarf battle report. The guardsman with the flamer was Private Jenkins, he actually survived his impetuous charge with the flamer but was wounded. Also it wasn't a vortex grenade, it was a stasis grenade and was thrown by the mercenary called Blink, who had been saving it for a "special occasion".

[@redrat123321]

I remember reading about this to back in the day. Good times.

[@vampirecount3880]

So leroy jenkins was even more classic than i though

[@PodreyJenkin138]

Jenkins you say?

[@mcinnisboy]

Precisely how a Jenkins should perform.

[@molybdane7240]

I believe this was also the first time they increase the weapon skill and reduced the ballistic skill of typical ork units, paving the way for their 3rd edition iteration.

[@free_at_last8141]

Legend has it that Chad refuses Krieg battle bucks and subsists purely on 40K lore. Truly a fine example of Chadian Chadiness.

[@dontmindme4469]

Telling the Imperium's Lore gives him enough sustenance for a lifetime

[@velvetinedrapes4359]

he lives off painted twink toes

[@alicorn3924]

Chadia stands!

[@martinjacobsen2992]

Nothing but 40k Lore and Corpse Starch, the Emperor Provides! The Emperor Protects!

[@thestoryteller1807]

no way they literally named it "ork's drift" Show them no mercy and fire at will!

[@nielsvandenberg9022]

Kill or be killed, facing, awaiting a choppa's rear

[@at-90ree13]

KILL OR BE KILLED! FACING, AWAITING, A HOSTILE SPEAR!

[@nielsvandenberg9022]

@@at-90ree13 A NEW FRONTIER, THE END IS NEAR, THERE'S NO SURRENDER THE LINES MUST HOLD, THE STORY TOLD ORK'S DRIFT CONTROLLED

[@someirishboi6308]

A NEW FRONTEIR

[@nielsvandenberg9022]

@@someirishboi6308 THE END IS NEAR

[@LiteDnBFnatic]

Common trend: Imperium losing despite a sound plan and advantage = tactical incompetence Imperium winning despite numbers and technology = sheer unadulterated spite

[@TheMad22]

Is this the warhammer version of rorke drift. What is even more fantastic the guardsman is the British one.

[@kubikkuratko188]

Did the guradsman win?

[@TheMad22]

@kubikkuratko188 If this is the same as rorke drift then yes. You see the British were fighting the zulus an African tribe they were able to encircle a small force of British soliders however despite being heavily outnumbered the British unit won after heavy fighting. I am guessing the zulus are the orks and the guardsman the British unit. As this guardsman type are based on the British

[@technomancer106]

If this is the battle I’m thinking of, the Praetorians lost this battle, it’s a bit more like The Battle of Isandlwana

[@P_I31424]

So....A lot of Praetorians died according to the lore, and the orks- wait I spoiled too much didn't I...

[@TheMad22]

​@@technomancer106 oh OK. I just presumed it was like rorke drift due to the name of the video

[@marcobonesi6794]

Orks attack! Fight back to back! Show them no mercy and fire at will!

[@French_officer_of_1e_Regiment]

An hostile WAAAGH! A new frontier! The end is near! There's no surrender!

[@French_officer_of_1e_Regiment]

The line must hold, their story told, Montar VII controlled!

[@JustaRandomGuy-el7sg]

Later on that fateful day as they head towards the WAAAAAGH

[@blood_angels5096]

Stacking sandbags, fortify, preparations must be swift

[@alaksander8437]

Dakka and Shootas of the horde facing uniforms and lasguns As the lasguns fire, echoes higher, (Beating) Like the sound of drums

[@calebjimenezaleman8303]

"PRAETORIANSSS!!! WE FIGHT TO THE LAST MAN!!!"-Captain Kain

[@grantpark9093]

Oldhammer History Time... I was at Games Day 1997 and there was a massive diorama that took up a large portion at the end of the hall. The Battle of Big Toof River had been set up on a huge desert board complete with a scratch built Gargant, a ork fortress and more buggies than I have ever seen in one place and of course TONS of boyz.. I think it was the first time I saw ork aircraft as well. It inspired me to go home and try to replicate some of what I had seen there in the way of scratch bashing. So glad to see it live on here... it had a big impact on me as a yoof... thanks for such a great video. Hope you do more of the more obscure but important battles in the 40k setting.

[@zombielizard218]

It is a little funny to me that the only reason the Praetorians exist, a regiment that actually got a (limited) model release. Is because a guy thought of the pun "Ork's Drift"

[@aedwynn6474]

I'm old and sad enough to remember the White Dwarf magazine that had the Orkz Drift scenario and battle report. Peak White Dwarf. Was a really fun scenario to play. We used Tyranids and Necromunda gangs (backed up by Space Marines) because we didn't have Orks or Imperial Guard Armies. Fun fact: It's all a big allegory for the real life battles of Islandlwana (Big Toof River) and Rorke's Drift (This one's more obvious).

[@eamoncassells1658]

I am also that old and sad

[@otisred7848]

Hooky got the hell out of dodge. He figured he'd done his duty if he could survive that he deserves to retire

[@alganhar1]

The film did Henry Hooke the dirty. In reality he was a teetotaller, a Methodist preacher, and a model soldier. In fact he had been awarded good conduct pay shortly before Rorke's Drift. His daughters, who were elderly but still alive when the film was made, were so offended by the portrayal of their father in the film they walked out of the premier. The reality was he was no drunken malcontent who 'made good' during the battle. He was a disciplined, courageous and highly competent soldier, and the film essentially shat all over the memory of a remarkable man.... Its why I do not watch it any more.

[@johntheknight3062]

Imagine if they made animated series just like Star Wars: The Clone Wars but in Warhammer and this is made into 4 epic episodes. That would be so so cool

[@Shvetsario]

The geonosis series be like:

[@mrunaltondre6051]

once i learn blender imight give it a try

[@Lazare7782]

Cry’s in hammer and bolters 6$ budget

[@johntheknight3062]

@@Lazare7782 It is just so sad that the best WH contect literally came from some random dudes on KZbin and then GW came, threatened them, stole their stuff and kept producing low quality content.

[@gideonmele1556]

Imagine how long Vraks would take

[@KanuckStreams]

Me looking at the tactical movement of the troops: "Wait... They sent Tallarn cavalry and tanks (renowned for hit-and-run strikes and using their fast moving maneuvers) AROUND the river and then right before an attack, had them ford it through a choke-point? This colonel is a fool."

[@mrmunchkin2181]

Also lack of any air, artillery, or orbital strikes to weaken the camp before an assault.

[@voteforfreedom3725]

Exactly if had artillery fortify the choke point and bomb key targets also leave the wide mouth open as a false escape point can harass the moving army tallarn riders. But I guess smoke of ork industries all.... Not fog of war.

[@luked8873]

Anyone else old enough to remeber reading this battle report in the white dwarf magazine way back when, and yes i remember sanctuary 101 too

[@talenloracus7891]

"Where the last stand was made, And the Imperium saved !"

[@MerekGrimaldus]

Ork boiz attack fight back to back.

[@mcsniper180]

“Back to back, attack, the dead are stacked!”

[@FloofPogg]

The first battle at Big Toof River reminds me of the Battle of Isandlwana, then Glazer's Creek is literally Rorke's Drift

[@jordandowley8471]

First rank..FIRE!! Second rank ..FIRE!! Third rank..FIRE!!

[@Marinealver]

The Praetorian Guard have joined forces with the Laminators Chapter, the day is truly saved.

[@98liquid]

This is Definitely reminding me of that "Zulu" old movie.

[@jamesliu8095]

It's definitely based on the battle of rorkes drift.

[@Troubleshooter11]

Wonder if Captain Caine is a reference to Michael Caine, who played a role in that movie.

[@mihaildimitrov1149]

@@Troubleshooter11 most certainly is. And it's a good touch.

[@blairscartoonshistory7477]

@@jamesliu8095 and the Battle of Isandlwana

[@wardasz]

@@blairscartoonshistory7477 I though about it too, so I specificly checked it out - and no, while the deffence of the farm absolutelly look like a Rorkes Drift, there are no symilarietes between Isandlwana and a battle around the orc camp (beside the fact of fighting againt numerical supperior enemy)

[@stephenwood6663]

A lot of folks have been saying that these battles are inspired by Islandlwana and Rorke's Drift, and they are, but they're forgetting the generous helping of Little Bighorn that's in there (Force Kaz-Ter, anyone?)

[@janhornak5739]

Glad i wasn´t the only one noticing.

[@fsabot19022]

Yup

[@Joseph-xz4vs]

I've always been interested in the lore aspect WH40 and fantasyy way back but never got onto it since I prefer the video styles of invicta, historymarche and the likes where they show how the battle actually happened. Since most WH40k i saw were video essays, I just never bothered but damn am I lucky to have stumbled on your channel when you began the Vraks series. I hope 2024 will be a good year for you and your goals

[@HouseSol.CassandrasComplex]

Such a nice and short little telling. Honestly, this felt most 40k of all the 40k telling so far. Sure there's crazy warp shenanigans and sure there's ooky-spoopy world devourerers. This was just a good old-fashioned tussle of orks v humiez. Orkz did a sneaky. Humans did a last stand and actually won. And there was even a ratling named Hooky who was a hero. Just very 9 to 5. No need to endanger all of reality! The WH universe is already known to be a colossally terrible place. 10/10 More Orcs's plz. ^^

[@Average_GI_Joe]

cant wait for ork wellington to defeat orkpoleon

[@pointly]

No greater courage for a Guardsman than to stand defiant in the face of his enemies with the burning fury of the Emperor in his eyes.

[@iantomlinson1978]

I know that there have been tonnes of zulu style quotes (or renditions of men of harlach). So here is my contribution. "it's a miracle." "If it is a miracle colour sergeant, it's a lasgun, emperor blessed miracle." "And a bayonet sir. With some guts behind it."

[@Tarmenell]

Great work, I appreciate these focused videos. 😎

[@Janovich]

Thank you!!

[@nicolausg7058]

This is Lads where the fun begins. Emperor Save the Emperor !

[@Theloudestmime9]

NOOO FARMER GLAZER!!! Died a fucking legend 💔 Also Hooky is literally the mysterious stranger.

[@technomancer106]

For Emperor and Imperium! For Praetoria!

[@tomyorke3412]

Men of Praetoria, stop your dreaming Can't you see their axe heads gleaming See their warrior pennants streaming To this battle field

[@rickardlejonklou8474]

This will sound strange Janovich, but i don't like 40K that much, but good storytelling is invaluable, and you have "it" you have an ability to tell a story in a exiting way, it reminds me of when i started learning about history at a young age. thank you for your work :D so i'm so sorry for saying this, and i know you are working alone but in the end during the holdout at the farm, wrecks vehicles, hundreds of bodies, but on screen there is no smoke or wrecks, in the big battles i understand we are very high in the "command chain", but when zoomed in at the farm maybe show the carnage? (or is it better to leave that to the imagination?) But i love your work Janovich, don't think for a moment i dislike your work just trying to give suggestions :D

[@Janovich]

thanks and will consider the feedback!!

[@InvaderFelix]

One of my favourite White Dwarf articles of all time was Glazer's Creek, I've always felt that was one of the best battle reports of all time. You just did an incredible job recreating that feeling Janovich, holy Emperor.

[@CollinKillian]

Hooky the ratling, this is obviously a sci fi version of The Battle of Rorks drift. In real life pvt Hook received a Victorian Cross for his actions during the batte..

[@real_entless1301]

I like the serious historical voice narration with the ork terminology

[@PegasusB]

Love the (Michael) Caine reference

[@CalvertErwin]

Rorke's drift : 40k edition

[@itsame8057]

This one action had the most Emperors Aquileia's for valor awarded to one unit in Imperial history.

[@owencarlson-zn3yt]

Currently listening to this why painting my Praetorians. Love the vid, keep it up.

[@crusader8626]

Literally perfect timing for this video. I started painting up my converted praetorians today

[@bythepeopleforthepeople.]

orks: Ditches tactical position* Charges enemy* Fails* Tries 4 more times* Fails* Goes back to tactical position*

[@RPGgoo]

I still remember reading this battle report in White Dwarf as a kid. It was also one of the very few Warhammer things that impressed by dad (an old school WWII wargamer). Amazing work, thank you.

[@cryhavoc999]

I remember seeing the display table for this at a Games Day one year - first time I saw a Baneblade!

[@RedRaiderV]

Amazing; love the guard content

[@Janovich]

thanks so much

[@radomircita9420]

Little Bighorn and Rourke's drift in one? Wow

[@christopherbutterfield8096]

blood bath at orks drift was a warhammer fantasy suplement in 1985ish.. never realised they did a 40k one

[@7thDesertRat]

The original Bloodbath at Orc's Drift was a boxed set for WHFB 2e from the 80s , it was Dwarves vs Orcs same time as McDeath etc. I like this 40k version too! good job.

[@notani3533]

So he doesn't trust the Ork scouts but acted based on the Ork report? He could've just like send his own scout or even making sure the Ork scouts on watch to anticipate treachery. I'm surprised that he didn't get demoted or executed even though he got both Tallarn and Praetorian regiment decimated.

[@Bentheriault1]

I never know what is the next lore video you gonna make, and everytime it is a verry nice surprise. continue the good work, its amazing

[@someweeb4110]

Man this video was an absolute treat. I’ve watched the Vraks and Horus videos countless times at night to wind down. Was so excited to see this, returning for the third night for this one. I really enjoy the length and fluidity of this video. Would love to see more like this, even if it doesn’t have the epic scale of the Vraks videos I think these have a serious potential to blow up and get more attention as their more edible. I only say this to share my piece in hopes of you blowing up off more videos like this. You are incredible at what you do and will inevitably grow with commitment. I’m more thank happy with longer epics being pieces together over time but just my opinion on the potential of these. Thank you for what you do man! You and the voice actor are as deadly a duo as Gav n Bob.

[@Janovich]

Thank you very much :)

[@kerbal666]

I didn't know there was this much lore around what was essentially a diorama. Epic!

[@herbertharris8456]

Wow, this was great, Thank you so much, this is what 40K lore is all about. Thank you again.

[@adamstewart3617]

So happy to see my Praetorian boys getting some love, keep up the great work!

[@fortcastellan1730]

This original battle report was in one of the first White Dwarf magazines I bought, and it's still the battle report I remember most fondly. They guys really put a lot of effort into that write-up....or they were just inspired. Anyways, it was nice to be reminded of it once again. (wanders off to my old magazine shelf)

[@helkdona226]

ORK'S DRIFT (Rorke's Drift by Sabaton starts playing in my head)

[@engine4403]

it feels a bit odd to watch this knowing the very real world events behind it. Lord Chelmsford, the commanding officer leading the war against the Zulus ignored both King Cetshwayo's peace negotiations and the pleas of the British government to end the war quickly in a vain attempt to try and save his reputation. While he did eventually succeed in winning the war he did not do so before letting befall one of the largest military catastrophies in all of both british and european colonial history at Isandlwana. Lord Chelmsford would rightly never be allowed to command troops again and died of a seizure on a billiards table in 1905. Good Riddance.

[@OrroHelhammer]

I cant tell you how happy i am that you aren't the one narrating these, great animations as always

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

God I love backhanded compliments

[@IKMojito]

Thats rude as fuck man

[@geemanamatin8383]

Great video! I always enjoy hearing stories about other famous regiments of the guard.

[@danyael777]

I love you! I hope you will go on to create the less known and old guard stuff. It's such nostalgia for me.

[@ArchonShon]

I knew Janovich wouldn't forget to get me something for Valentine's Day!

[@jamesscalzo3033]

Loved the video @Janovich! Can't wait for the next video man! I remember seeing this in the Fandoms about the Astra Militarum a while back. This part of Warhammer 40K lore is based heavily on the Battle of Rorke's Drift, with the Praetorian Guards being based on the Colonial Era British Troops. I wonder if the Montar System still has to deal with Ork's popping up from the Ground on occasion or something?

[@tba113]

Looking forward to the Battle of Morkadishu.

[@flatheadgg2443]

Believe it or not it actually exists, look up the raid on kastral novem

[@tba113]

@@flatheadgg2443 That's the one I was thinking of, couldn't remember the in-universe name. Thanks!

[@sketchpledge2653]

seeing a new Janovich video is an instant dopamine hit

[@CocoHutzpah]

A serendipitous release, this is. I just re-watched Zulu this past weekend.

[@PB-tr5ze]

The first half of the battle is very reminiscent of the battle of the Little Bighorn.

[@patrickmckay619]

Yesss... best Warhammer channel on youtube hands down

[@AROBASPARK]

OH! This sounds like that battle with the Zulus, can't recall the name of it now.

[@nomad2639]

Very well made, voiced, and done

[@RoboticDragon]

Love it haha so good to do this from White Dwarf and shouting out the remake/sequel they did years later.

[@brettgullery3047]

Absolutely love your stuff. Best content on KZbin in general let alone 40k stuff. Would love to see you cover some Gaunts Ghosts battles at some point

[@GraysonSkogman]

Best Janovich Video EVER. very big imperium fan.

[@samidib10]

Hoping for more of these they are amazing!

[@AVKnecht]

I can see Paul Sawyer's face commanding these orcs. That was one of the best battle reports in all of Wh40ks History.

[@thebighurt2495]

I love mixed regiments. They're such a great source of conflict and story but in constructive ways.

[@happy-ck7ng]

Finally I get to play a WW1 board game! You saved my boredom jano!

[@williamheller6648]

I really enjoyed this one excellent as always you’ve outdone yourself again

[@tacpaws]

Very well told, cut clear and fine to the ear , as Always!

[@FaustianDaydreams]

The implications are incredible and I’m here for it.

[@wolfieinu]

It's interesting that this campaign was seemingly inspired by two different South African battles: the Battle of Blood River, where the Zulu were defeated by the Boers in a similar way to the Imperium being defeated by the Orcs, with especially high casualties being inflicted during the retreat across the river; and Rorke's Drift, obviously, where this time the Imperium stands in for the British and the Orcs for the Zulu.

[@shimazutakuma1031]

i just don't know what went into the Tallarn's head trying to go on full offensive at the very start of the battle, when their regiment is better suited to conducting sabotage, hit and run, and dispersing of enemy forces and then giving a pitch battle... oh well... Warhammer be warhammer i guess?

[@Teyan0n]

I remember this battle report, ahh loved those models. Wish I had picked some up back then :D

[@richardbradley2335]

''Orks to the south sir...tharsands of them'' ......

[@mattgrandich3977]

Subscribed, definitely love the overview battle reports and correct me if I’m wrong but this is from an old White Dwarf Battle Report.

[@TheMemeDynamics]

When I saw "Ork's Drift", I immediately went down rofl

[@KillerOrca]

GW wears their inspirations on their sleeves sometimes.

[@MajorSvenGaming]

If anyone is interested in the white dwarf battle report of Glazers Farm, it's Issue 222.

[@janwitts2688]

Orks Drift... err... I took a wrong turn... was expecting elves and dwarves ..

[@comentnine1574]

4:00 The imperium actually hired Xenos!?

[@powering_unity6150]

It isn't that uncommon for the Imperium to hire mercenaries, or cooperate with xeno factions against a bigger foe.

[@comrade_commissar3794]

The Imperium does that stuff all the time. They constantly work with the Eldar, sometiems the Tau and now necrons

[@MrGoodCat8]

Oh my lord, what I'd give to be able to have a video game at this level.

[@REgamesplayer]

This documentary shows the perils of interstellar war. The main cost of the war is not within the armies, but rather with the transportation. Notice what a small contingent of orks and Imperial forces were fighting. Laughable really. Yet these are the bulk of conflict in W40k. Warfare revolves around 18'th century Imperialism where a small, but elite formation is being sent on confined ships to conquer nations thousands of time larger than troops they have. Forces which Imperium or Orks send to conquer other planets are just the tiny fraction of titanic strength they can gather on their prime worlds. This conflict also is just poorly organized by Imperial commanders. They did not trusted Orks, but went head straight to the combat with countless uncertainties. They deployed a small, mechanized army next to the city and then got surprised that Orks had found out about massive landing ships which signals everyone about you to hundreds of kilometers across. Then Imperial commander dived straight in with his limited forces without even Imperial Navy support. Just with some FTL'less and armless ships. Where was orbital support? Did you knew that Imperial effort could had been destroyed outright in orbit. Really, W40k is the dark universe. A child could had orchestrated a more successful campaign.

[@UGNAvalon]

So, a couple questions: 1) Why didn’t the remaining survivors shoot the war boss in the back when he was on his own (esp if the heavy machine gun was still operational) ? 2) Why didn’t the orks just send a single gargant to missile &/or stomp the farmstead afterward if it was causing them so much trouble? (Or one of their planes)

[@Morgomir09]

Because Orks

[@UGNAvalon]

@@Morgomir09 Guess they didn't have Ghazhgul on their side with an asteroid on hand. ;D

[@merlindadejecacion1560]

It's like in the real world called the battle of rorkes drift

[@blood_angels5096]

This is very clever! Nice work

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Orks drift was from way back in the 80s. It wa a game in the back of a game workshop book / magazine and had a series of card buildings to cut out.

[@dc-101]

rorke's drift by sabaton anyone?

[@comrade_commissar3794]

Absolute cringe, sabaton is literally made for 12 year old children

[@-Oddity]

​@@comrade_commissar3794No.

[@Vrooto]

@@comrade_commissar3794 what do you listen to? rap?

[@comrade_commissar3794]

@@Vrooto Rap is for drug addicts and people who live in ghettos

[@comrade_commissar3794]

@@Vrooto Rap is for literal drug addicts and people who live in ghettos

[@tneal89]

Combination of the battles of Rorke's Drift and Little Big Horn in SPEHSS - Huzzah!

[@YOGI-kb9tg]

I love sone of these old lore battles.

[@jansandman6983]

Everything that happened is Rorke's drift 4000. 🤣

[@gnarkgnarkgnarkgnark1933]

So, if I get it correctly, GW, a british company, just un-ironically copy pasted a page from the Zulu war and put it in a 40K setting. I, gnarkgnarkimus, am shocked.

[@orhallurdaiormarsson2348]

For some reason I have watched this twice.