by Allan Gordon | Jan 6, 2021 | Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
Platrand is a long strategic hill (about 3 km in length) on the south side of Ladysmith which overlooks the town. It was recognised by both the British and the Boers as a critical section in the town’s defences. The eastern portion of the hill was called Caesar’s...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 29, 2020 | Anniversaries, Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
Helvetia was a major ‘stop-over’ for coaches travelling from Pretoria, Lydenburg and Lake Chrissie in the 1890’s, and consisted of a trading post and hotel. During the South African War (1899-1902) the British established a major base on the site. This base consisted...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 25, 2020 | Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
The Battle of Tweefontein, which was a farm 35 km east of Bethlehem in the Free State, is also known as the battle of Groenkop and Christmas Kop. Late in 1901 Boer General de Wet had based himself in the northeastern part of the Orange Free State. At the same time...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 15, 2020 | Anniversaries, Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
Colenso is a town 20 km south of Ladysmith and commanded a strategic rail and road link from the coast. Early in November 1899, with Ladysmith under siege, the Boers occupied the hills to the north of the town and a few weeks later started an advance on the town, just...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 13, 2020 | Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
Nooitgedacht was a farm in the Krugersdorp District, about 35 km south east of Rustenburg. Major-General Clements, who was active in the area, decided to set up camp at the base of the Magaliesberg Mountains, with the highest point of the range, directly above his...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 11, 2020 | Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
Magersfontein was a farm about 20 km south of Kimberley. The Boers, anticipating a bombardment on the high ground on the farm, entrenched themselves at the base. On the afternoon of 10 December 1899, the British artillery bombarded the hills on Magersfontein, without...
