33rd Regiment of Foot

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=33rd Regiment of Foot


caption=
dates=1 July 1751 - 1881
country=UK
allegiance=
branch=British Army
type=Line Infantry
role=
size= 12 Companies
command_structure=
current_commander= Lt Col FJ Castle 1879-1881
current_commander_label= Last Commanding Officer
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label= Last Colonel in Chief
colonel_of_the_regiment= Gen William Nelson Hutchinson 1863-1881
colonel_of_the_regiment_label= Last Colonel of the Regiment
nickname="The Pattern"
"The Havercake Lads"
"The Dukes"
patron=
motto="Virtutis Fortuna Comes"
Latin: "Fortune Favours The Brave"
colors= Red Facings
colors_label=Colours
march= Quick: "The Wellesley"
mascot= none
battles=Dettingen
Seringapatam
Waterloo,
Alma
Inkerman
Sevastopol
Abyssinia
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=The 33rd Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army. In 1881 it was amalgamated with another regiment to become the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). The regiment saw service in a wide range of wars and conflicts, including the American Revolutionary War, the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War, and Abyssinia in addition to garrison duty. The regiment gained note from commanders for its battle record, efficiency, and discipline.

History

It was originally raised in 1702 as the Earl of Huntingdon's Regiment of Foot; during that period of history regiments were known by the names of the Colonel of the regiment. It fought in numerous campaigns across Europe, winning its first battle honour at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, which was the last time a British monarch led the army into battle. Regiments were officially numbered in 1751, and the 33rd Regiment of Foot (1st West Riding Regiment) became the official title. On (1 July 1881), following the Childers Reforms (a continuation of the Cardwell's Reforms of the armed forces) the 33rd was amalgamated with the 76th Regiment of Foot to form the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Halifax Regiment (Duke of Wellington's). This title was intensely resented, by the men of the 33rd. The title only lasted a few months before being changed again on (30 June 1881), in a revised appendix to General Order 41, to Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). It was often referred to as the 'West Riding Regiment, which was the name denoted on the shoulder titles. Further changes moved the parentheses and the title was first changed to Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, then Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding).

On (6 June 2006), the regiment amalgamated with the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire and The Green Howards, all Yorkshire-based regiments in the King's Division, to form the Yorkshire Regiment.

The 33rd itself had a good reputation for its professionalism and capability, which was seemingly unequalled by any other regiment of the British Army for some time. It was because of their professionalism in the field during the American War of Independence, the regiment was given the nickname 'The Pattern'; this then became the standard of soldiering which all other regiments should attain.

American Revolution

The 33rd saw much action during the American War of Independence, with its first engagement at the Siege of Charleston in early 1776, when that town was besieged by British forces. In August of that year, the 33rd were involved in the Battle of Long Island. After heavy fighting which lasted several days, the Americans evacuated their remaining forces to Manhattan. The British were victorious. The British forces suffered about 400 casualties, and the Americans over 2,000. Long Island remained in British control until 1784.

The regiment's next action came a month later, in September at the Battle of Harlem Heights. It was a small skirmish: besides some Hessian troops, the only other British regiment was the 42nd Regiment of Foot, now the famous Black Watch, an equally fearsome and professional regiment. The British force, initially without the 33rd, encountered the New England Rangers, a scouting force sent by George Washington. A small skirmish ensued with the Americans subsequently retreating. Washington then sent another force to lure the British further up the northern plateau, which he held, along with a second force to move around the flank of the British. The British took the bait and advanced further up the plateau. The American flanking force was encountered by the British, which showed them the imminent danger they faced. After some further fighting, the British retreated to a field, where they were joined by the 33rd and a number of Hessian battalions. After further fighting, the Americans retreated.

The regiment was also involved in the Battle of Fort Washington. After that, the 33rd were not involved in a major battle until September 1777, when they took part in the Battle of Brandywine, where the British suffered 550 casualties and the Americans about 1,000. The regiment took part in further action that year, at the Battle of Germantown and at Whitemarsh, where they fought the Americans who had retreated from the fighting at Germantown.

The following year was just as active, with the 33rd seeing action at the Battle of Monmouth, an engagement that became the largest one-day battle of the war. The 33rd was also part of the defence of Newport and Quaker Hill, as well as the Battle of Old Tappan, which occurred in the closing months of the year.

Two years later, in 1780, the 33rd Regiment was besieging Charleston. By 11 May, the American General Benjamin Lincoln began to negotiate terms of surrender. The following day Lincoln, along with over 7,000 American soldiers, surrendered to the British forces under the command of Lieutenant-General Henry Clinton. In August that year, the 33rd were involved at the Battle of Camden. It was a victory for the British. Approximately 324 British were killed or wounded and about 1,000 Americans were killed or wounded, with another 1,000 being taken prisoner.

Guilford Court House

The year 1781 proved to be the deadliest but most successful year for the 33rd. The regiment took part in the Battle of Wetzell's Mill, but the more famous action took place that same month during a battle at Guilford Court House.

On (14 March 1781), Lord Cornwallis, the British commander, was informed that General Richard Butler was marching to attack his army. With Butler was a body of North Carolina Militia, plus reinforcements from Virginia, consisting of 3,000 Virginia Militia, a Virginia State regiment, a Corp of Virginian "eighteen-month men" and recruits for the Maryland Line. They had joined the command of Major General Nathanael Greene, creating a force of some nine to ten thousand men in total. During the night, further reports confirmed the American force was at Guilford Court House, some 12 miles (20 km) away. Cornwallis decided to give battle, though he had only 1,900 men at his disposal.

At dawn on (15 March 1781), before the men had a chance to have breakfast, Cornwallis started for Guilford, arriving there at mid-day. [History of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, (page 69), Brereton / Savoury, ISBN 0952155206 Banastre Tarleton's Light Dragoons had been in the vanguard of the approach up the road and were briefly engaged by Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee's Dragoons (Lee's Legion) some 4 miles (6 km) short of the Guilford Court House. The British 23rd Regiment of Foot sent reinforcements forward, and Lee withdrew, having suffered badly at the hands of Tarleton's Light Dragoons in previous actions at Tarrant's House and Weitzell's Mill.

Unknown to Cornwallis, the Americans were actually deployed in three lines across the Salisbury road. The first, mostly manned by North Carolina Militia units, was behind the fence. To the west of this line were Colonel William Washington's 3rd Continental Light Dragoons and Virginian light infantry. To the east were Lieutenant Colonel Lee's Dragoons. His second, manned by Virginian Militia was about 300 yards to the rear of the first. To the rear of this final line was the court house and General Greene's command post.

After a twenty-minute cannonade, Cornwallis began his attack around 1:30 pm. His left flank, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James Webster, was made up of the 33rd and the 23rd Regiments, supported by the Grenadier company and 2nd Battalion of the Brigade of Guards, (fifteen men from each company of the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards and the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, formed a composite battalion of Foot Guards to be sent to North America. The composite battalion was subsequently split into two battalions). At Guilford Court House, they were then under the command of Brigadier General O'Hara. The Light infantry of the Guards and the German Yäegers (Jagers) remained in the woods to the west. To the right, under the command of Maj-Gen Leslie were the 71st Frasers Highlanders and the Prussian General, Julius von Bose's, Hessians, with the 1st Battalion of Guards in support. Following on were Tarleton's Light Dragoons, plus 1 troop of the 17th Light Dragoons, ready to go where circumstances required.

The British moved forward in line. However, the wooded terrain, the width of the battlefield, and uneven resistance hindered a coordinated advance, and British forces arrived piecemeal at the third line. At the climax of the battle, British Guards and American Continentals engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

The 71st Regiment then came through the woods. The 2nd Battalion of Guards turned and charged back on the Americans, supported by the Grenadiers who had also advanced, pushing Washington's men back into the woods. Over to the left, elements of the 23rd Regiment started to appear, and part of Tarleton's Light Dragoons charged up the road. The Americans turned and retreated, leaving behind their field guns and ammunition wagons. The 33rd Regiment then appeared, having overcome many difficulties on their advance. They had been heavily engaged by the American right flank, first crossing then re-crossing a ravine to consolidate and regroup. They were soon followed by the Light Infantry of the Guards. Cornwallis ordered the 23rd and 71st Regiments with part of the Cavalry to pursue the Americans, though not for any great distance.

The battle had lasted only ninety minutes, and although the British technically defeated the American force, they lost over a quarter of their own men. The 33rd suffered 11 killed and 63 wounded out of a force of 300 all ranks, having already lost 28 men in preceding actions.

Green Spring

The 33rd also fought at the Battle of Green Spring in July of that year. Their last engagement of the war was at the Siege of Yorktown, when they were part of the outnumbered British forces. The British surrendered on 19 October, having little ammunition, food and supplies left. There was also no sign of Henry Clinton's relieving force, which arrived in the Chesapeake Bay on 24 October, far too late to affect the outcome.

India

The 33rd, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel (promoted to full Colonel in 1797) Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, had taken part in the disastrous Battle of Flanders and the retreat from Germany, before their deployment to India. In 1799, the regiment, still under the command of the future Duke, and attached to Nizam's Auxiliary Corps, took part in the Battle of Seringapatam. The regiment was involved in bitter fighting with the Tippu Sultan's warriors. At one point they were repulsed with heavy losses when they attacked a wood, which was strongly defended by the Sultan's forces. The 33rd fought further actions throughout the battle, with the British being victorious, and the Tippoo Sultan was killed. The regiment won a Battle Honour for its involvement in the action. The siege of Seringapatam is featured in the Richard Sharpe novel "Sharpe's Tiger" by Bernard Cornwell.

In 1857, the 33rd took part in operations against the Indian Mutiny, being involved in a number of actions there, notably at Dwarka, which ultimately led to the restoration of stability.

Waterloo

The 33rd landed at Willemstad on (17 December 1814), and worked in conjunction with the Russian contingent under Benckendorff and the Prussians under Bülow the regiment, under the command of Lt-Col Elphinstone. There was a considerable amount of inconclusive manoeuvring before finally action against the French near Antwerp on 13 January, around the village of Merxem. The French were routed at bayonet point with no casualties suffered by the 33rd. By early March 1815, the Regiment was again under the command of the Duke of Wellington, this time at the Battle of Waterloo. They had taken part in the action of the previous day, at the Battle of Quatre Bras. Having taken up positions at Waterloo, the 33rd was part of the 5th Brigade under the command of Major General Sir Colin Halkett, which comprised, in addition the 2nd Bn 30th Foot, and 2nd Bn 69th Foot. The Brigade was part of the 3rd Division under the command of General Count Sir Charles Alten, which was in turn part of I Corps, under the command of William, Prince of Orange.

The 33rd was involved in heavy fighting and at the end of the battle the Regiment's casualties numbered 11 officers and 128 men killed or wounded. The British and their Allies were victorious, but at a price, suffering about 15,000 casualties. The Prussians suffered 7,000 casualties. The French suffered 32,000 dead or wounded, as well as around 8,000 taken prisoner.

West Indies

Having departed from Paris on (23 December 1815), the regiment spent the post Waterloo period, from January 1816 to 1821, in uneventful garrison duties in Glasgow, Guernsey and Dublin. The regiment was able to recruit, re-equip and retrain, gaining the approval of many visiting Generals.

In 1822, the regiment was posted to Jamaica. The West Indies were notorious as the death bed of the British Army because of the high mortality rate from Malaria, Dysentery, Yellow fever and other such endemic diseases. Many thousands of soldier never made it back to Britain. The 33rd was not to escape its harsh environment. Within two months, 3 officers and 49 other ranks had died. By the end of the tour in 1832, 11 officers and 560 NCOs and men had died from diseases. They arrived in Portsmouth in March 1832 with a command of 12 officers and 240 other ranks. 142 had opted to remain behind, having married and taken up residence with their families, and transferred to the 22nd (Cheshire) and the 84th (York and Lancaster) Regiments.

Crimea

The 33rd had been renamed the 33rd (The Duke of Wellington's) Regiment. The title was granted on (18 June 1853), by Queen Victoria in honour of the iconic 1st Duke of Wellington, who had died on 14 September the previous year.

At the Battle of Alma, bitter fighting took place, with the 33rd being part of the Light Division under the command of Sir George Brown. The British advanced up the slope towards the Russian positions. The British formations became intermingled, turning into a mass of soldiers, rather than the professional, neat formations used on parade. As they charged, numerous Russian troops came down the slope to meet them. The British halted and fired, causing so many casualties the Russians were forced to retreat. The British line reorganised and moved up the slope towards the Great Redoubt, with the 33rd being the first to attack the defence works. The 33rd suffered heavy casualties in the hand-to-hand combat that ensued.

The British forces prevailed in taking the objective. However, Russian forces advance on the Great Redoubt to counter-attack. An officer shouted to the British soldiers not to fire, claiming them to be French, despite the fact that they were not. Other British officers soon contradicted him, ordering the men to fire at the massed ranks of soldiers advancing on their position. The soldiers were confused, and the British officers soon decided the prudent option would be to get back down the hill to safety. The Russians failed to pursue, mostly because some French artillery pieces were firing a few shells in the direction of the Russian forces. The Guards Division, comprising the most elite infantry regiments of the British Army, advanced and crossed the river. However, the Scots Guards were shattered when retreating soldiers from the Royal Welch Fusiliers, who had been attacked by a mass of Russian soldiers, crashed into the Scots Guards and caused chaos amongst the formation. The Russians seized the moment, launching a mass bayonet charge resulting in heavy hand-to-hand fighting. The Scots Guards suffered 200 casualties and were forced to retreat.

An unknown officer ordered the Grenadier Guards, who were preparing to meet the advancing Russian forces, to withdraw. The officer commanding a company of the Grenadiers ordered them to reform to meet the advancing Russians. They poured a large amount of fire into the Russian troops, causing many casualties. The British then began to advance, and the Russians retreated. The Great Redoubt was once again in British control. On the right flank, the Highland Brigade—just two lines deep—advanced whilst firing, which was an unusual manoeuvre in those days. The Russians soon fled, and victory was assured. The British forces suffered 2,000 casualties, the French 1,000, and the Russians 6,000. The 33rd received a Battle Honour for their actions during that battle.

At the Battle of Inkerman, the 33rd were again involved in some bitter fighting, in which the British infantry advanced despite heavy losses and a strong defence by the Russians. The fighting was fierce, at times some soldiers resorting to attacking their enemy with the butts of their guns. The British suffered some 2,357 killed or wounded, and the French lost about 939 soldiers. Russian casualties were immense with some 11,800 killed or wounded.

The 33rd was involved in the Siege of Sevastopol, which lasted for 11 months. By 1856, the war was over but at a high price. The British had lost approximately 22,182 dead and 18,280 wounded, out of a total force of over 97,000. The majority were lost not because of fighting with the Russians, but to disease. In total, the Allies lost over 160,000 dead and the Russians lost over 450,000.

Abyssinia

: Main|1868 Expedition to AbyssiniaThe 33rd were part of an expedition sent to the East African nation of Abyssinia, now known as Ethiopia after several European citizens had been taken hostage by the self appointed 'King' Emperor Tewodros II in 1864. In March 1866 a British envoy had been despatched to secure the release of a group of missionaries who had first been seized when a letter Tewdros II had sent to Queen Victoria, delivered by an envoy (Captain Cameron), requesting munitions and military experts from the British, had gone unanswered. They were released; however Tewdros II changed his mind and sent a force after them and they were returned to the fortress and imprisoned again, along with Captain Cameron.

The 33rd was committed to Abyssinia in October 1867 and embarked on (21 November 1867) arriving at Annesley Bay on 4 December 1867; but did not disembark until the 7 December due to the chaos on shore. [History of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, (page 184), Brereton / Savoury, ISBN 0952155206 Thousands of mules had been sent from Egypt and other countries before adequate arrangements had been made to feed and water them. Initially two companies of the 33rd went ashore to capture and contain the mules and condensed sea water was pumped ashore from a warship and then carried by hand to makeshift wooden troughs. A base camp was set up at Zula where officers celebrated Christmas day with local chicken and a plum pudding made from pounded ships biscuits.

Having left Karachi during the Indian winter the 33rd were still dressed in 'Waterloo-red full Dress Tunic and khaki Drill Trousers. The Serge was quickly changed for the more appropriate Khaki Drill jacket and also a white cloth covered Cork Helmet called a 'Topi'. The troops had been issued with the new breech loading Snider-Enfield Rifles the previous year. This new rifle had increased the soldiers fire power from one round per minute to ten rounds per minute.

Lord Napier arrived in early January 1868 and the expedition started from the advance camp at Senafe at the beginning of February. It took two months to reach their objective. The advancing British forces route took them through rough terrain traveling by way of, Kumayli, Senafe, Adigrat, Antalo, to the west of Lake Ashangi and on to Dildi before finally arriving via the road King Theodore built through the Chetta Ravine to get his heavy artillery to Magdala.

Comprising some 12,000 British and Indian troops, beside Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers, the field force consisted of:

British: The 3rd Dragoon Guards, the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), 33rd Regiment of Foot (1st West Riding Regiment). Six companies of Infantry from the 45th (Sherwood Forresters) and a Royal Navy Rocket battery. The Armstrong Artillery Battery, complete with elephants carrying their Guns, joined the expedition on the Plain at Talanta, just 12 miles from Magdala. Towards the end of the campaign the 26th Cameronians also arrived.

Indian:
23rd Punjab Regt Bengal Native Infantry (Pioneers), [http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Galleries/main.php?g2_itemId=633 27th Bombay Native Infantry (1st Baluch)] , [http://www.regiments.org/regiments/southasia/lists/ia1859by.htm No 1 Company of Bombay Native Artillery] , [http://www.regiments.org/regiments/southasia/art-eng-sig/sm-mad.htm Corps of Madras Sappers and Miners] , [http://www.regiments.org/regiments/southasia/art-eng-sig/sm-bom.htm Corps of Bombay Sappers and Miners] .

Before the forces could actually attack Magdala, they had to get past the plateau at Arogye, which lay across the only route to Magdala. It certainly looked formidable to attack. The British could see the way barred by many thousands of warriors camped around the hillsides and up to 30 artillery pieces.

The British did not expect that the Abyssinian warriors would leave their defences to attack them and paid little regard to their defensive positions as they formed up to deploy. But the king did order an attack, with many thousands of foot warriors armed with little more than spears. The 4th of Foot quickly redeployed to meet the charging mass of warriors and poured a devastating fire into their ranks. When two Indian infantry regiments also fired on them the onslaught became even more devastating. Despite this the Abyssinian warriors continued their attack, losing over 500 with thousands more wounded during the ninety minutes of fighting, most of them at little over 30 yards from the British lines. During the chaotic battle an advance guard unit of the 33rd Regiment overpowered some of the Abyssinian artillerymen and captured their artillery pieces. Remaining elements of the Abyssinian forces then retreated back to Magdala.

In his despatch to London Lord Napier reported: "Yesterday morning (we) descended three thousand nine hundred feet to Bashilo River and approached Magdala with First Brigade to reconnoiter it. Theodore opened fire with seven guns from outwork, one thousand feet above us, and three thousand five hundred men of the garrison made a gallant sortie which was repulsed with very heavy loss and the enemy driven into Magdala. British Loss, twenty wounded"

The following day as the British force moved on to Magdala Tewodros II sent two of the hostages on parole to offer terms. Napier insisted on the release of all the hostages and an unconditional surrender. Tewdros refused to cede to the unconditional surrender, but did release the European hostages. The British continued the advance and assaulted the fortress (The native hostages were later found to have had their hands and feet cut off before being sent over the edge of the precipice surrounding the plateau). [History of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, (page 189), Brereton / Savoury, ISBN 0952155206

The bombardment began with mortars, rockets and artillery. Infantry units then opened fire, covering the Royal Engineers sent to blow up the gates of the fortress. The path lay up a steep boulder strewn track one one side of which was a sheer drop and the other by a perpendicular cliff face, leading to the main gateway, known as the Koket-Bir, which consisted of a thick timber doors set in a 15 foot long stone archway. Each side of the gate was protected by a thorn and stake hedge. After this gate was a further uphill path to a second fortified gateway, which lead onto the final Plateau known or the 'Amba'

On reaching the gate there was a pause in the advance as it was discovered the engineer unit had forgot their powder kegs and scaling ladders and were ordered to return for them. General Staveley was not happy at any further delay and ordered the 33rd to continue the attack. Several officers and the men of the 33rd Regiment, along with an officer from the Royal Engineers, parted from the main force and, after climbing the cliff face, found their way blocked by a thorny hedge over a wall. Private James Bergin, a very tall man, used his bayonet to cut a hole in the hedge and Drummer Michael Magner climbed onto his shoulders through the hedge in the gap and dragged Bergin up behind him as Ensign Conner and Corporal Murphy helped shove from below. Bergin kept up a rapid rate of fire on the Koket-Bir as Magnar dragged more men through the gap in the hedge. As more men poured through and opened fire as they advanced with their bayonets the defenders withdrew through the second gate. The party rushed the Koket-bir before it was fully closed and then took the second gate breaking through to the Amba. Ensign Wynter scrambled up onto the top of the second gate and fixed the 33rd Regiments Colours to show the Plateau had been taken. Private Bergin and Drummer Magner were later awarded the Victoria Cross for their part in the action. [London Gazette 28 July 1868]

Tewodros II was found dead inside the second gate, having shot himself with a pistol that had been a gift from Queen Victoria. When his death was announced all opposition ceased.

External links

* [http://www2.army.mod.uk/yorkshire_regiment/ MOD Yorkshire Regiment Website]
* [http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/tourism/museums/wellington.html Regimental museum]
* [http://www.33rdfoot.org Reenactment unit portraying the 33rd in the American Revolution]

References