With Johannesburg and Pretoria falling so easily to the British, many Boers from the old Transvvaal/ZAR decided to lay down their arms and return to their farms.
The Boer Generals had to do something to reverse this sense of despondency so three attacks were planned for 11 July 1900 – Silkaatsnek (near the current Hartebeespoort Dam), Onderstepoort (north of Pretoria), and Dwarsvlei (near Hekpoort).
All three were significant ‘victories’ for the Boers and a huge embarrassment to the British Commander in Chief, Lord Roberts, as the British were reporting back to the U.K. that the war was over.
Dwarsvlei is considered as a ‘mini Colenso’ as two Victoria Crosses were awarded to the soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders for their gallantry in saving the guns.
