Battle of Vaal Krantz: 5 February 1900

Once again troops, artillery and cavalry arrive to reinforce Buller’s Imperial army. His next attempt to break through the Boer defences was going to take place under the command of General Clery. With three Pontoon Bridges thrown over the Tugela river, Gen. Clery, will endeavour to take the hill Vaal Krantz. The Boers will be trapped in their trenches by the artillery, and this massive artillery attack will enable the infantry to cross the Tugela river, and establish the final break through to relief the besieged town of Ladysmith.

The gun battery that was established on Swartz Kop was relied on for the crossing. Pulling the guns up these steep slopes of the mountain became an annual event in Ladysmith. Two teams, one from the SA defence force, and one from the British Artillery would compete to pull the gun up in the fastest time.

Buller took over the command from Clery. The Boer gun epaulements had been skilfully cut into the Northern slope of the mountain, and the elevation was too much for the British guns, and when the Boer artillery came into operation, Buller had to withdraw.
 

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