On the morning of 27 February 1900, the British plan was a final assault on a number of hills on the outskirts of Ladysmith. Major-General Barton was to take Pieters Hill, the most north-easterly of the three. Colonel Kitchener was to take the centre Hill (Railway Hill), and Colonel Norcott was to help Major-General Hart who was still fighting on Inniskilling Hill.
Colonel Parsons on Hlangwane, with 90 pieces of artillery, kept up a heavy bombardment on the hills before the attack commenced. The Boer General Botha remarked that it was the first time that the British force had operated as one.
Pieters Hill was the most stubbornly defended. By early evening it appeared that the Boers were on the retreat.
This was Majuba day, a victorious day in Boer history – but word had probably been received of Cronje’s surrender.
