More on Alexandra Redoubt

Following up on the query from Jonathan on my previous post, I revisited the area this afternoon and after walking the dog I spent 30 minutes scrambling through undergrowth on the far bank of the Waikato River to get a few images to show the relative height of the hill above the surrounding area. Of the old steps shown in the 19th century illustration, I could find no surviving evidence.  Also looking for the depot at Campbelltown mentioned in the story of how the two VC's were won, I have surmised the location based on a local road called Campbell Town Road.

These images are taken from the bank adjacent to the road out to Port Waikato, which turns away from the river after a short distance. I suspect the drawing was done from further along the bank than I was able to get, without trespassing on farmland or using a boat!

The image below is taken from downriver of the hill, but on the same bank. The redoubt sits on top of the hill behind the fir trees

Below - where images were taken from. Also, I believe the areas marked in orange hatching have been reclaimed/filled in, and this explains why the position looks more formidable in the 19th century, as it would have been surrounded by water on three sides back then.

Below is the approximate location of Camerontown, relative to the redoubt.

Last night, Julian, Rick and I had another run through of "Red Actions". We have our annual wargaming week planned for the end of July this year, and Back of Beyond/Russian Civil War is one of the periods we will be playing, so we want to get a few games under our belts so it is not "the blind leading the blind" when we get the troops out at Tarawera!

Rick and I both brought troops along but Julian had sufficient for the scenario he had planned, and had all the units laid out on the table when we arrived, so they were surplus to requirements. However it was not a total loss, as Julian has retained my RCW figures for a game with the rest of the guys tomorrow at Barry's place, which I am unable to attend - so there may be some images of them on Marks 1866 blog in due course!

Julian set up a pretty simple scenario - better quality Whites with less troops defending a village cross roads from more numerous but lower quality Bolsheviks - talk about type casting!

We played through the game, testing out how some things worked, and getting our heads around some of the intricacies of the rules. Neither side really gained an advantage although Rick destroyed three of my units by the end of the game, both HMG's and one unit of infantry.

Below - initial set up. The Whites were numerically disadvantaged but had an extra HMG, two mortars and a field gun to counter the Bolshevik armoured car and extra troops

The Red advance on the right led by an armoured car

Red cavalry - Julian had only just got these additions based, so had not yet had time to add flock etc

One of Ricks White infantry units in their starting position. All the figures are from the outstanding Copplestone range.

General view of the White defensive set up - cavalry were on the right of this image

Situation after a couple of moves - the White field gun caused me to reposition my cavalry in the cover of the woods, before they were wiped out!

The aforesaid cavalry taking cover behind the woods

The Whites begin a cautious advance 

The White cavalry makes a rapid move to attempt to outflank me

View above the wood in the centre of the Bolshevik line - cavalry and two units of conscript infantry seeking cover from White firepower

Positions after several more turns - the Bolsheviks are pushing forward on the left but the White air force was about to intervene.....

As the White cavalry move left, the HMG in the turret of my armoured car rattles into action

My armoured car did a good deal of damage to the white cavalry, knocking a platoon (base) off each unit, killing the commander and forcing the survivors to pull back into the cover of the forest

The second White cavalry unit makes a tactical withdrawal sans officier!

Meanwhile, the Red cavalry emerge from cover and move right to counter the battered White cossacks

While on the other flank, my conscript cavalry move to outflank the White infantry

The position on the map at about this point in the game - note there is one less Red infantry unit to the right of the central woods - they were wiped out by White artillery fire.

Red infantry enters the woods to confront their White counterparts

The remaining unit of Red cavalry sweeps around behind the White flank - the other unit had been attacked from the air in two successive turns and were in poor shape at this stage

The armoured car advances up the road but its MG fire against Rick's gun teams was ineffective

The White field gun that played an important role in the game

Final view of the Red cavalry facing their White opposite numbers on the Red right/White left flank

Roughly the position of the forces as the game ended in a draw. The White infantry in the centre hardly moved, bus they were defending the road junction, that was fair enough! Note the absence of both Red HMG's, wiped out by White fire.

Rick as usual had some appallingly poor dice rolling, which was lucky for me, as with more luck, the field gun would have taken out several more units - I really must get one of those! In our three games so far, the Reds have never had any artillery support....not that Julian is biased towards the Tsarist forces or anything :). It was a good shake out of the rules and we learned a few more things to keep in mind at Tarawera. Julian is running another RCW scenario on Sunday at Barry's and hopefully we will get in a few more "field days" at his place over the next 6-8 weeks.

Walking the dog through local Military History.

The other day I decided to take our dog Sam for a walk in nearby Tuakau. I was prompted in part by the fact it was around ANZAC Day (25 April) and I recalled a few years ago a speaker at a remembrance service mentioning a VC was won nearby during the Waikato war.

I have copied some info about the redoubt from the net, as well as a couple of aerial images that I was unable to achieve whilst visiting the site.

Alexandra Redoubt at the end of Alexandra Redoubt Road, on a commanding hill 100 m above Waikato River; historic reserve.

The name is after Princess Alexandra of Denmark who married Queen Victoria’s eldest son, the future Edward VII, in March 1863.

Rectangular work c. 50 × 20 m, with bastion defence at two corners covering all sides. A stone path within the parapet is an unusual feature.

Under grass; outstanding condition in public ownership; a surrounding cemetery has destroyed some or all evidence of external buildings and other features; 365 steps to river 

A contemporary view of the redoubt from the opposite bank of the Waikato River - much of the hill seems to have been cleared of vegetation back then; today, it has fully regrown and the staircase in evidence here no longer exists as far as I am aware

Above and below - aerial images showing the redoubt today

 

Following is a brief outline of how the VC's - there were two awarded for the action I recalled, as it turns out - were won. 

On 12 July 1863, as General Cameron led the 12th and 14th Regiments across the Mangatawhiri Stream and the Waikato War began, Colonel Alfred Wyatt marched the 300 men of the 65th Regiment past the Pukekohe East Church on the way to Tuakau to build Alexandra Redoubt. A plaque that stands at the gate of the redoubt cemetery states: ‘This Redoubt, constructed in July 1863 and garrisoned by the 65th Regiment was intended to protect General Cameron’s right flank on the Waikato River and ensure safe passage for the steamer Avon. A detachment from this redoubt was in action at Camerontown.’

Fighting near the redoubt began on the morning of 7 September 1863 as army supplies were being loaded at Camerontown, down river from Tuakau. A large contingent of some 200 Maniapoto warriors attacked the supply party, resulting in the death of several men as they tried to escape by canoe. Gunshots from the fighting at Camerontown were heard by the troops of the 65th Regiment. Captain Richard Swift, the officer in charge, ordered a march on Camerontown by a party of 50 men and officers.

Swift and his men marched seven miles through dense bush to be met by an ambush. The captain was wounded in the confrontation and died that same evening. Command of the party was then taken over by Colour Sergeant Edward McKenna. Fighting continued into the evening and then the men of the 65th set off for the safety of the redoubt. They were met by a large relief party, which had been sent to Tuakau from Queen’s Redoubt at Pokeno by Cameron. In all, approximately 50 Maori are believed to have been killed, while the 65th lost four men and a further four were wounded. 

The conflict, while small in the context of the Waikato War, was notable given the high number of awards given. McKenna received a commission and Victoria Cross. Corporal Ryan was also awarded a Victoria Cross, although he drowned before he could receive his decoration. Privates Bulford, Talbot, Cole and Thomas each received the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The events that occurred in the vicinity of the Alexandra Redoubt took place during a dark time in the history of Tuakau as hostilities between the government and Kingite forces reached boiling point. Local police historian Kenneth Brewer has written that the fortifications and the gravesites there today are a ‘significant feature of the district’s history and a mute memorial to those of both sides who died in the ensuing conflict.’

C/Sgt Edward McKenna, VC

Following are a few of the pictures I took myself of the redoubt and its environs:

Above and below, signage explaining the site and the walking track Sam and I followed

Memorial to soldiers of the 65th Regiment

Next several shots are from the bush walk, giving an idea of the type of terrain the Crown forces had to contend with fighting the native Maori tribes

View out over the Waikato River, which is New Zealand longest, and was navigable for quite some way - the British sent steam gunships by this route to aid in the Waikato War

A memorial to two brothers from the area who were killed in WW1

Plaque commemorating the 65th Regiment, who built and manned the redoubt

Several views of the redoubt, showing the layout and scale of the surrounding ditch etc

Memorial to five soldiers of the 65th Regiment and one of the 14th Regiment

View down the Waikato from the summit occupied by the redoubt, with the Tuakau bridge in the distance

Some more local history!

View from just down the road - the redoubt is on the hill to the right, overlooking the Waikato River.