Battle of Colenso
| date | December 15. 1899 |
|---|---|
| place | Colenso , Natal , South Africa |
| output | Victory of the Boers |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
| Commander | |
| Troop strength | |
| 21,000 | 4,500 |
| losses | |
|
143 killed |
6 killed |
Talana Hill - ElandslaAGEN - Modder River - Stormberg - Magersfontein - Colenso - Spion Kop - Paardeberg - Ladysmith - Sanna's Post - Mafeking
The Battle of Colenso took place on December 15, 1899 in Colenso , Natal , South Africa , between British and Boer troops.
Inadequate preparation and education - combined with incompetent command of the troops - led to a severe, even humiliating British defeat.
background
Shortly after the outbreak of the Boer War, Redvers Henry Buller was appointed commander in chief of all British troops in South Africa on December 6, 1899. He divided his forces and sent units to the western and central fronts. He himself took command of the largest part of the troops to lift the siege of Ladysmith with him . The Boers, in turn, decided on November 13, 1899, with 2,000 men, under the leadership of Piet Joubert and Louis Botha to go further south of Natal. They wanted to sabotage the railway line in the south in order to slow down the advance of the British.
Two days later, a train with 164 officers and men from the Dublin Fusiliers and the Durban Light Infantry, under the command of Captain Haldane, left Estcourt in the south of Natal. In the town of Frere, the British learned that some Boers were behind Chieveley. The British later identified 50 Boers in the area and decided to return to Estcourt.
On the way back the train was shot at by the Boers from Ladysmith. The engine driver tried to escape, but the train derailed due to its high speed in a curve. The British then improvised, detached the defective wagons from the locomotive and continued the journey to Estcourt.
This success motivated the Boers. They passed Estcourt on both sides, then parted in Highlands to destroy telegraph lines . As a result, the British division in Estcourt was isolated and could not contact the nearest division in Mooi River. Between November 17 and 21, 1899, the British Major General Henry Hildyard , who was in command at Estcourt, tried to drive the Boers out of the Willow Grange area, but with no real success.
His next plan was to take control of the Boers in a surprise attack that night on Brynbella Hill, which is halfway between Estcourt and Mooi Rivers. On November 22nd, British units left Estcourt, but they got caught in a violent thunderstorm and it is said that many soldiers were struck by lightning. When the battle broke out, the Boers were dominant thanks to rich reinforcements, with four deaths on their side and 78 on the British side.
On this front the Boers - after some raids and explorations in the Cape Province - had withdrawn to Colenso on the north bank of the Tugelas in view of the strong British forces . There they dug in, blocking the road and rail line to Ladysmith.
British plans
Since Buller lacked wagons and draft animals and could not avoid the position, he decided to launch a frontal attack along the railway line.
One brigade was to cross the Tugela at a ford three kilometers upstream and another was to occupy Colenso itself. On their right, cavalry and mounted infantry were to take Hlangwane Hill. This is located south of the Tugela and was occupied by the Boers, who threatened the right flank of the British. Two other infantry brigades were kept in reserve.
The battle
On the morning of December 15, the first brigade advanced in close formation towards the ford. However, the local guide - who spoke no English - led them to a false ford at the head of a bend in the river, where it was a good target for the Boers. The Boers opened fire, killing or wounding 500 British soldiers before the brigade could withdraw.
As the second brigade advanced on Colenso, two field batteries came within range of Boer gunfire. The British gunners had to withdraw after heavy losses.
The cavalry on Hlangwane Hill was also unable to advance because of strong resistance. Although Colenso was now occupied, Buller decided to abandon the battle. Several volunteers were killed while trying to retrieve the abandoned cannons. Among them was Field Marshal Roberts ' son , Lieutenant Frederick Hugh Sherston Roberts. Four soldiers, including Roberts posthumously, were awarded the Victoria Cross , Great Britain's highest award for outstanding valor in the face of the enemy, for their service.
After the battle
Although replaced by Lord Roberts as commander-in-chief, Buller remained in command of the troops in Natal .
Buller's foray into Ladysmith ended in disastrous defeat at the Battle of Spion Kop . He then returned to Colenso and fought the passage over the Tugela after taking the Hlangwane hill in ten days of arduous battles. Ladysmith was horrified on February 28, 1900 .
See also
Web links
- http://pinetreeweb.com/conan-doyle-chapter-11.htm Arthur Conan Doyle: The Great Boer War . London 1902, Smith, Elder & Co., Chapter XI The Battle of Colenso (English)
- www.britishbattles.com on the Battle of Colenso (English)