"DEGUELLO!" The Fall of the Alamo (1 Viewer)

[Capitolron]

Great Job - Thank You, Thank You, Thank You !

 

[UKReb]

Bob,do you think Rorkes Drift has become as famous as it is because of the fact that Isandlwana was such a disaster that the high ups grabbed at Rorkes Drift as a 'cover up' if you will.I read someone somewhere say that although the troops at RD were heavily outnumbered they were well armed,had plenty of ammo and were well entrenched behind mealie bag walls and as a result could well have been expected to hold off a much larger force.Could the fact that there were relatively few deaths indicate that perhaps the defence of Rorkes Drift was more straightforward than we think?.I am not for one second taking away any bravery from those young men who stood firm that day,they did a wonderful job.But could it be they were always going to win?.

Rob

Well Rob there are a lot more Zulu war experts on here than I am although I'm not sure too many look at this thread but I'm sure Joe would give you a more knowledgeable answer.

Although a sterling defence against thousands of Zulu's the amount of VC's for a single engagement was quite phenomenal. And as good a soldier as John Chard was he was just a mere Engineer and not an Infantry officer so your question and "prognosis" may indeed be a valid one.

What surprised me was that Rorke's Drift although well known amongst the old dusty military history professors was relatively unknown to the public at large until John Prebble wrote an article called "Slaughter in the Sun" that was published in Lilliput Magazine in April 1958. Even Endfield and Baker had never heard of the action until they read it in that magazine and hired Prebble to write the script for their movie.

Bob

 

[Rob]

Thanks Bob,i'd also read the public were largely unaware of Rorkes Drift until the film,one film and its now one of the most famous actions in History,funny how it goes isn't it.

Cheers

Rob

 

[The Lt.]

Bob I'd also love to see you do a diodrama of the events that took place on the fields of Isandlwana and there's no doubt in my mind the results of it would be outstanding. Rob you may want to spend some time if you haven't already by visiting www.rorkesdriftvc.com which will provide you with a great introduction to the actual events that took place at Rorke's Drift as well as an introduction to Isandlwana. You can spend hours upon hours on the site visiting variou threads that are availabe loaded with info on the events that took place. I'm no where near as knowledgeable as my Aide de Camp 1879, Damian and Martyn GICOP on the the subject........The Lt.

 

[Rob]

Bob I'd also love to see you do diodrama of the events that took place on the fields of Isandlwana and there's no doubt in my mind the results of it would be outstanding. Rob you may want to spend some time if you haven't already by visiting www.rorkesdriftvc.com which will provide you with a great introduction to the actual events that took place at Rorke's Drift as well as an introduction to Isandlwana. You can spend hours upon hours on the site visiting variou threads that are availabe loaded with info on the events that took place. I'm no where near as knowledgeable as my Aide de Camp 1879, Damian and Martyn GICOP on the the subject........The Lt.

Thanks Joe,i'll check that out

Rob

 

[debrito]

What you mean FINAL CHAPTER, you can’t stop that!!! Just invent something else, we don’t care about Accuracy.

Again my friend supperbe work

Rod.

 

[Spitfrnd]

...Jeff throughout the dio I used dozens of specially commissioned pieces from here and from the States-just using what's available from off the shelf would make it impossible to tell the story as I have done.

There is also a good number of conversions especially with the Mexican troops. As some of the guys on here are only too aware I have a good chum who is an absolute artist in converting with museum standard of painting on anything Napoleonic. So Alamo Mexicans fitted the bill for his particular skill-the Alamo women and kids I bought just before sitting down to have a beer with you last March-they needed quite a bit of converting from Russian peasants into Spanish-but nothing is impossible with this hobby of ours that can't be fixed with some metal putty and Vallego paint .
I'm particularly pleased in how the ladies turned out ranging from expressions of fear to defiance.
...

I have to say that raven haired young cuero showing defiance is un primor. How much of a conversion was she? She seems like someone Sharpe would need to meet.

 

[Wraith]

Fantastic work throughout Reb.
I can only imagine the days and days of work setting it all up. Totally worth it, and you are a fine narrator.

Cheers,
Simon

 

[kilted vampire]

Just when I thought you couldn't get any better! You blew my socks of with the last installment! The first shot so intense with the first person perspective. What was the setting on you f-stop to produce this shot? How many times did you shoot it to get it right? Then the demise of J.B., was scary in it's intensity! Superb! Brilliant! Dead focking brill!

 

[Louis A. Cortez]

I too wish to congratulate you for such a great effort. It was Awesome! The Almao is my all time favorite and I am attempting to do the same with my collection. You have inspired me to continue on my quest. Thank you.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Reb,
I think I'll go watch Billy Bob and The Duke doing the Alamo again.

Cheers
H

 

[Texan]

Reb, As you know I just joined yesterday and I too am an Alamo guy and from Texas. I just read the entire story from start to finish. Saying that was amazing would be an understatement! Simply incredible. If that were in book form, I would buy it. I can't find the words to express how absolutely creative that is. I wish I'd done it, is the best compliment I can give you. WOW!

Mike

 

[Iron Brigade]

The Fight for the Alamo Flag Part II

With the Mexican attack now on two fronts of the Convent the brave defenders were gradually beaten down one by one and annihilated by Torres and his remaining men. He had now fought his way to within grasping distance of the rebel banner.

On the lower level roof Torres was now supported by Lieutenant Damasco Martinez and his contingent of troops. Martinez wearing his distinctive red spotted bandana tied around his head urged his men forward to assist Torres now practically fighting by himself.

Only two defenders were now resisting the Mexican attackers the mortally wounded Squire Daymon and Jesse Bowman a giant of a man who was furiously tangling with two of the wall scalers-having no time to reload his guns Bowman picked up one of the Mexicans over his head to throw him off the roof to the plaza below whilst viciously kicking the other in his leg.

Torres calmly and coldly shot Bowman through the heart.

As Bowman fell to the ground Torres grabbed hold of the Alamo flag

But Daymon was not quite dead yet and with his final effort aimed his last loaded pistol and fired at the Mexican officer who was tearing down their flag.

Martinez saw Torres grab the flag and then fall

Quickly turning he shouted down to his color bearer

"Rapidamete mi amigo que necesito ahora neustros colores nacionales"

Martinez and his color bearer now placed their colors into position watched by the dying Torres who raised his sword in salute to his country's flag. For a brief moment no one now moved on the convent roof-but the flag that now flew in the early morning breeze was red, white and green-bearing the emblem of the angry eagle and serpent of Centralist Mexico.

Martinez having taken the rebel banner from the now dead Torres's hand passed it to his color bearer and told him to go and present it to His Excellency Santa Anna

Down in the plaza Santa Anna's troops paused in their advance and wildly cheered their national flag now proudly flying above the mission. They now all felt victory was indeed close and would surely be theirs. Morale now running high they began to move toward the area where the last bastion of defenders were still fiercely resisting-

The Alamo church!

Cheers "UK Reb":
Most splendid photos of the old Alamo in March 1836!
"Iron Brigade" 3/9/2010

 

[eborris]

I'm waiting for the Custer series before I buy the book.

 

[wds0855]

This series is fantastic. Are you using natural light for the photos? The details are very crisp and clear.

Walt

 

[Halo]

Nice

 

[Denver]

Your Alamo is truly outstanding.
I have working on mine about two month.
You have set a high standard.
It may take me two years more.
Thank you for posting your excellent work.

 

[UKReb]

Back to the Alamo

The air was suddenly filled by the strident sounds of Mexican bugle calls

One of the defenders called out "What is that a charge?"

Bonham answered

"It's a cavalry march. But I'm told Santa Anna fancies it for other uses. He borrowed it from the Spaniards, the Spaniards from the Moors. It's called Deguello and it means Slit-Throat"

One of the Texas Volunteers replied

"Well I'm goin' to see if I can quiet at least one of those bugler's"

Then Crockett appeared on the wall placed his musket down and picked up his fiddle

"Save your powder boys. Reckon I can skin that critter another ways"

With a wry smile he raised his fiddle to his chin and began to play

His lively melody made no attempt to drown out the Deguello. Instead he wove a new melody around the harsh call of No Quarter

For a brief few moments there was no siege, no battle, no war just music floating in the air. The defenders on the wall of the old mission cheered fiddlin' Davy.

It was just one lone Texian fiddle against the massed bugles of Santa Anna's army-when suddenly the Mexican music abruptly stopped.

Crockett murmered

"Well boys surprising what a little harmony can do, ain't it"

Reb

 

[PolarBear]

Bob

I love this latest musical installment. Most of the figures are unknown to me. Are they conversions? The fiddling Davy Crockett is an especially nice touch. I see that he was accompanied by a bagpiper too.

http://www.amaranthpublishing.com/Jammin.htm

A CD of DC's fiddle too!

Happy New Year!

Randy

 

[mikemiller1955]

very nice Bob....this hasd always been one of my favorites...you do it well...