Fijian fighting methods

Old fort gives clue to Fijian fighting methods

From SUE WENDT, in Suva While cutting a logging trail into the interior of Vanua Levu (some time ago) workmen came across the remains of an old Fijian fort. After recent investi gation, museum officials believe it to be the product of musket warfare in the mid-19th century.

Mr. Fergus Clunie, who spent four days in July inspecting the fort, said the find was helpful in establishing a better understanding of Fijian military tactics as they were 100 years ago. The site is at Uluitana, deep in the rugged densely forested ranges south of the Dreketi River, about 12 miles inland from the main road at Dreketi.

Mr. Clunie reported that the fortifications ran up a ridge and con sisted of a ditch and a thick stone wall complex. Incorporated into the most easily approached wall were what appeared to be three rifle pits.

The fort was quite extensive and must have required a large labour force to build, yet it did not seem to have protected any permanent habitations. The only sign of these were found well outside the defences and were capable of housing only a small population.

This suggested that it may have been one of a chain of similar struc tures from which a series of delaying actions could be fought by a com bined group of defenders from several settlements.

“They would disappear into the bush as one position was taken, to appear behind the ditches and thick walls of another, which would in turn have to be stormed with similar disappointing results,” Mr. Clunie said. A small, scattered population banding for war could thus wear down a larger force.

This suggested sophisticated tactics, as the defenders could retain their mobility while still fighting from behind prepared positions. This would have a marked effect on the settle ment pattern and horticulture of the particular area.

Mr. Clunie said that similar tactics were used in the hill country of Viti Levu in the campaigns of the 1870’s, though perhaps not in quite such a developed form.