In the meantime, down in the Free State the British ‘siege’ on Cronje’s laager was in place. Had the British learnt from the Boers?
Roberts had proposed a withdrawal as too many British troops were engaged in the so called ‘siege’. However, to do so would have allowed Cronje to escape.
Instead, the British embarked on a heavy bombardment of Cronje’s laager, which included wives and children.
