DIE SKIETINSIDENT I DIE KRYGSGEVANGENEKAMP TE TRICHINOPOLY, INDIE, 1902

Abstract

The shooting incident in the prisoners of war camp, Trichinopoly, India, 1902 On 3 April 1902 the sentries of the prisoners of war camp at Trichinopoly fired on the Boer prisoners of war. A few of the POW's were wounded; some later died. Until now there have existed two totally different explanations for the causes of the shooting, as well as the number of casualties. On the Boer side it was said that the sentries shot at them without any provocation and that 13 Boer prisoners of war were wounded of whom six later died. The British investigation into the shooting placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Boers and mentioned that only four were wounded of whom two later died. The diary of Stephanus Francois Hugo, up till now unknown to historians, gives a new perspective on the causes of the shooting.

Op 3 April 1902 het die wagte van die krygsgevangenekamp te Trichinopoly op die Boerekrygsgevangenes geskiet. 'n Aantal van die Boere is gewond van wie sommige later beswyk het. Tot op datum bestaan daar twee uiteenlopende verklarings vir die oorsaak van hierdie skietery, asook vir die ongevalle wat die resultaat van hierdie skietery was. Van Boerekant word beweer dat die wagte sonder provokasie op die Boerekrygsgevangenes geskiet het en dat 13 gewond is van wie ses later beswyk het. Volgens die Britse ondersoek na die voorval word die skuld vierkantig op die opstandige krygsgevangenes geplaas. Volgens hierdie ondersoek is vier van die Boere gewond van wie twee later aan hul wonde beswyk het. Die dagboek van Stephanus Francois Hugo, tot nou toe onbekend aan historici, bied 'n nuwe perspektief oor die verloop van gebeure wat tot hierdie skietinsident aanleiding gegee het.