The siege of Mafeking lasted seven months from when the town was surrounded at the outbreak of the South African War in October 1899.
The British garrison which was in the town was commanded by Colonel Baden-Powell and totalled about 2 000 men. The Boer forces under General Cronje numbered 8 000.
Late on 16 May a relief column under Colonel Mahon broke through the outer defences of the Boers and by the early hours on the following day the siege was over. (See blog for 12 May)
