Rhodesian History Ep 8: Battle of Bembezi

[@fiveromeoromeo5225]

You can listen to John Edmond's Battle of Bembezi here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noTZlpSAi7V0fbM

[@grahambailey6128]

Love all of your videos thank you. I live in the UK and would very much like to visit Zimbabwe can you advise on best places to go. As an ex army man and big fan of your channel battle sight tours would be great. Thanks for any advice you can provide best wishes Graham.

[@Shumbadrinker]

“On the first day of November of 1893, We fought the Matabele at the Battle of Bembezi!” - John Edmond

[@mokopa]

We fought them at the Bonko, 'twas just the other day They laid an ambush in our path - we went another way To capture Bulawayo and stop a fearful war The Sal’sbry Horse, Victoria Rangers and the old Cape Corps On the first day of November of eighteen ninety-three We fought the Matabele at the Battle of Bembezi We formed a laager on the hill at mid-day for to rest We saw an Insukamini regiment towards the west We swung the seven-pounder 'round; let a big one fly And from the east the Amaveni gave their battle cry On the first day of November of eighteen ninety-three We fought the Matabele at the Battle of Bembezi The wild Ingubu with the fierce Imbezu on the right Came charging from the northern bush, they were a fearful sight And near 6000 warriors - we stopped them on the run The bravest of the brave could never match the Maxim gun On the first day of November of eighteen ninety-three We fought the Matabele at the Battle of Bembezi ~John Edmund

[@KernowekTim]

The Rhodesians, amongst others, had learned much from the British annihilation at Isandlwana by the impis of Cetshwayo ka Mpande...... To crush the 'Horns and Head of the Buffalo' successfully, Maxims and Hotchkiss guns were the tools for the job. Massed ranks of men with only raw-hide shields as a means of protection, were doomed. This was a masterful re-count of the Bembezi battle. Wonderful to listen to, with the rain lashing against my kitchen window. Matabeleland 'burned' while Percy 'fiddled'.

[@sanguinemoon9201]

Truly, I love your stories and the history of Southern Africa.

[@h1017412]

Hello 5RR, thank you for your content - from a fellow Rhodie. Your story telling is authentic and engaging, in a way that my kids will appreciate when they start enquiring about our history. Thank you for making these videos and sharing your knowledge, it's so important - especially as time marches on. All the best to you and yours.

[@tjakamonawatataerasmus-see3782]

You narrate a battle like Gerhardt Viviers broadcasted a rugby match in the 1970's. I don't need a tv screen. It's here in front of me. I see it. I can touch them. I can smell them! I can't wait for my next lecture on the History of Rhodesia!

[@annagriffin2865]

5RR: re Crewe’s “remedy” for dysentery - port & champagne. Percy, chancing his arm, classic🤣‼️ Stellar history lesson

[@ric6383]

You're quite an institution for a lot of folk. Keep up the good work 5RR.

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

Thanks again for another great story!

[@cinbellextratempus8153]

Sitting here in Manchester UK with the sun out listening to someone in Africa complain about the cold and wet 🤣🤣

[@whitephosphorus15]

John Edmond’s music is the reason I found this channel.

[@debuzzard]

When you stop yourself because you don’t want to bore us - keep going. You’re not!

[@Jilktube]

Percy seems to have had himself what we might call a “working holiday.”

[@rickb1973]

Percy.....acting as if he's doing good....and in the process, doing quite well.

[@mitri5389]

videos like this maintain the values of what the internet was suppose to be. a source of information for the good of humanity, now its mostly cooperation putting a price on everything... always enjoyed the accounts of knowledgeable and experienced people.

[@barryallison16]

I wear my hat whilst watching your videos . Eagerly awaiting the next !

[@samsquatchnw9660]

funnily enough I discovered this channel because I was watching john edmond music video.

[@rickymherbert2899]

Another great instalment in your fascinating history told as only you can tell it. Very enjoyable and entertaining - Thank you. Yes, I remember those cold, wet Cape Town rain showers from when I lived in Green Point. Even wearing a raincoat I was still soaked by the time i got back from the Water Front. 😀 Keep safe, keep sane everyone and keep on producing such great content. 👍

[@philstaples8122]

You're a good story teller, I enjoyed this.

[@mindexpanding1]

Not a story teller but a legitimate HISTORIAN. Thank you sir.

[@TheBushmanmike]

Percy D Crewe one of the original Greys Scouts.

[@frogsgottalent1106]

It's a real treat to have found your great channel. Thank you.

[@baseballworldwide9439]

Can’t believe I’m just finding this channel. It’s honorable men like yourself who inspire me to always push to be better. Your true legacies will live on forever through works like this. Ik this seems a bit cliche but it’s the honest truth!

[@TheBushmanmike]

Percy's brother Fred was a hero in the Grey's Scouts when in April 1896 he saved Lt Hook from certain death after he was badly wounded and his horse was shot from under him. Fred gave Lt Hook his horse and defended his escape by shooting the leading Matabele in the chest, fighting his way back on foot with the help of covering fire by other Grey's Scouts Rademeyer, Button and "Texas" Long. Fred was put forward for the VC but only received the DSO. Hook was trying to save Baxter who actually did get the VC posthumously in that same action.

[@TheMcraemer]

Rhodes commissioned a painting of this event, but apparently it was not displayed for public viewing. Does anyone have any idea where it is currently housed?

[@TheBushmanmike]

@@TheMcraemer I believe Frank Dadd did the painting and it was hung in a gallery in Durban Municipal Buildings South Africa last it was heard of I am afraid. The other one of the Shangani Patrol, by Allan Stewart, now hangs in a Private Collection in Bournemouth England, not on view unfortunately as I sadly found out when I visited.

[@mannfred1440]

Thank you sir for this amazing video!

[@klatakluner6454]

Keep it up sir I love the vids 🇬🇧🇬🇧👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@GunBreaux]

Always a pleasure to hear your tales!

[@rhodesia1578]

Another interesting chapter of the history of the Rhodesian history ! Thanks Martin for your time and effort you put into your awesome blogs .. I speak on behalf of your audience.. we appreciate them all , fantastic job you are doing . You should teach history . A man of skills and talents . 👌🏻🙏🏻

[@Mr020461]

I always love to hear these stories, always a pleasure to listen to you walk us through it!

[@lloydshoniwa6779]

Very interesting history. Well narrated.

[@marcrobitaille4159]

5RR, Thankyou again, I Truly Enjoy History as Do You. The comments I made are not a slight,,, my experience with Cold in Africa is very limited to the Northern-most Sections of your Continent. Yes,, The Desert can get Cold. Most North American’s do not associate Africa with Cold, as probably most Africans do not immediately associate North America’s Northern Reaches with Hot Summer Days,,, though They do Exist..... ‘Love your Work& Admire the Courage& Resourcefulness of You& your Countrymen & Women. I would Enjoy Going There if Possible,,, ‘also wish I had a Time Machine !

[@banana1618]

another episode of our history, exceptionally well told: thanks Martin.

[@garthrichert5256]

Thank you for wonderful story telling. So interesting and enjoyable.

[@mississippimoondog]

Great video, Mr Edmonds song reminds me of Johnny Hortons Battle of NewOrleans

[@sheepdog1102]

Great story, I really enjoyed this one!

[@pastafiend845]

This is off topic, but could you do a short video on how you guys would sleep in the bush when on patrol? You mentioned in the past that you would much rather have slept in the bush than in any structure when on patrol, which makes sense to me, but I'd like to know the specifics of how to cjoose a place to sleep, what protocols you went through for security, how you kept bugs from getting to you during the night, and what kind of sleeping kit you carried with you on your web gear. Thanks :-)

[@steveobourne4745]

We had lightweight nylon sleeping bags and a nylon "bivvy" which in wet weather could either be zipped around the sleeping bag or used as a lean to shelter, but as they were not actually waterproof, were better used as a ground sheet to keep the mud off of you. I can only speak from experience with B Coy 2RR, if we were not laying in ambush, about an hour before sunset we would identify a "safe" position to bed down, then keep walking for another 5 or 10 minutes before stopping to heat up tea and rations. When the sun had set we would return to the selected position for the night. We operated in 4 man sticks and it was standard procedure to bed down within reach of each other and do 2 hour shifts on guard. As it was very common for the guard system to break down due to someone falling asleep, we were generally given a choice of doing guard or bombshelling, where we would distance ourselves and try and get under a thornbush or other scrub. The theory being that if anyone snored and was discovered by CT's, the others had a chance to react. Nothing you could do about bugs at night, I once had rat or mouse eating the dog biscuits through my pack under my head while in Mozambique - of course I had no idea what it was under my head until daylight.

[@samuelbean9928]

Splendid sir! Thank You and may the lord keep you as well!

[@TheHappyGardener]

Thank you Uncle for the humorous why that you share history without politics or judgment ❤❤❤

[@nd493]

Great delivery, fascinating story.

[@joer9156]

I enjoy these videos so much, thank you.

[@martinryder6910]

29:40 "some looked quite sulky"... I can't imagine why. lol

[@aus71383]

May the Lord make His face shine upon you!

[@MEGR7]

Would love to hear your views on South Africa’s current troubles.

[@pablonieto9693]

Thank you for sharing all these interesting pieces of little known history. Standing by for more. Keep safe.

[@DG-uw6wx]

Can you comment on the " Green Leader Raid / Operation Gatling " Please?

[@hudsonchalmers6504]

Martin, where do you get all this info. I know from your army days your meticulous notes and detail, and your incredible recall of events. I have to look at Helens history to Jog my memory

[@BigHugsFromHell]

The only thing missing from this video was a campfire to listen to it around.

[@marcrobitaille4159]

Always Interesting. But What’s Funny is Hearing Africans,,, White, Brown or Black complain about the Cold... Really. 😉🇨🇦 Keep’em Coming ! ThankYou 🦬👌👍

[@fiveromeoromeo5225]

Marc Robitaille. Hahahaha! You have no idea how cold it can get in Africa. Keep well.

[@amandawatson5931]

Also The Greenstones.

[@rourkesdrift7614]

Not really on this topic, but I recently got scammed. Not only was it an expensive lesson, but I have to admit that there were clues as to what was happening that I just dismissed as odd. I can’t help thinking that if I had been with you in the bush, I would have died, for not listening to that 6th sense.

[@SerpentLord]

Some of this story(video) you won't find on Wikipedia. Goodonya.

[@davidtimmermann7226]

That's an interesting flag, could you speak on the symbolism depicted?

[@itsmeagain8604]

What fascinates me is the Welsh Dragon image on the Rhodesian flag. How is that there ? But yes symbolism is a best kept secret from us all.

[@dhalz4152]

Why did the Matabele hang themselves after the battle?

[@bradleyg7498]

They were likely ashamed that had lost the battle.

[@hudsonchalmers6504]

Freezing Here

[@normiedeathsquad40]

Dude have you got anymore of your stories from your time in 1rr

[@mic-ho1wt]

Where did you get the flag? The ones I see online all seem to be miscoloured to some extent

[@drivernephisson7034]

He was a Rhodesian, so it's likely a original flag.

[@mic-ho1wt]

@@drivernephisson7034 now that i remember, i think in rhodesian history ep 7 he said that somebody had bought it for him at the start, but yeah no idea where from , it wouldnt have lasted so long without yellowing if its nylon so its either a nice material if it was original or just new

[@deddie4645]

What happened to the 3 white men prisoners or kidnapped

[@fiveromeoromeo5225]

d Eddie. Stand by...we haven't heard the last of them.

[@deddie4645]

Hi old friend whare u been

[@fredde90210]

👋🏻

[@Presbiter]

pamwe chete pugnamus amo leo

[@jeremystill5442]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍✌️✌️✌️✌️

[@greenleader78]

Mushi sterek

[@EdgarStyles1234]

KZbin unsubbed me from you!!!! bizarre.

[@fiveromeoromeo5225]

Sue them!!!

[@kenporonin1]

Another great story about early Rhodesia. Thanks for posting these.