11 mars 1845 - Kororāreka (Russell) was destroyed
Description:
-The destruction of the town was a consequence of Hone Heke’s fourth and final attack on the flagstaff atop Maiki Hill.
- A well-organised force of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine warriors attacked in three groups
-Before dawn when Kawiti’s taua (war party) attacked the armed marines and sailors who were stationed ashore. The attack was a diversion.
-Hone Heke and his men killed the few soldiers and set to work upon the flagstaff.
-It took hours to cut down the flagstaff because the lower section was sheathed in iron. Meanwhile, marines and sailors were fighting Kawiti and his Ngāti Hine warriors at the southern end of the bay. It was a brutal hand-to-hand engagement with many casualties on both sides.
-British officers feared that Heke and Kawiti intended to attack the town itself. They ordered the evacuation of pākehā civilians to the ships anchored in the bay.
-By the end of it, Kororāreka lay in ruin and around thirty men were dead. Each side probably suffered about the same number of casualties, many of which occurred at the beginning when flagstaff was taken.
Ajouté au bande de temps:
The Northern War
The Battle of Ruapekapeka was the last of a series of clashe...
Date:
Les images:
![]()
Geo:
