Operations on the Tugela Hights: 5 February 1900 – 27 February 1900

Operations on the Tugela Hights, and the final break through the Boer defences: This magnificent battle which started in the first week of February and lasted until March 1900, was the largest military movement of the British on foreign soil until that time. Eight Brigades attacked simultaneous over a vast area, covered with a maze of hills. Four Irish memorials alone, over an area of over 6oo square kilometres is stark evidence of the huge casualty rate suffered by this massive army.

At the start of the British attack Gen Louis Botha was absent, on sick leave. The Boer commando’s, outnumbered ten to one, were suffering losses and had to fall back. When Gen Louis Botha came back to resume command, his military genius kicked in. He used these maze of hills and valleys with great ingenuity to build their defences. The different brigades ever so often would find themselves at a dead end, in a devastating cross fire. He used his guns, outnumbered 20 to one, with such skill that they caused more damage to the enemy than what they with the greater numbers could achieve among the Boer ranks

In the end the 2700 commando’s, in spite of inspiring enthusiasm and encouragement from their great General, succumb under the pressure of numbers, had to give way. Moral received a devastating blow when dispatch came in that Cronje, with 4000 Burgers surrendered at Paardeberg. The final break through came, and relief came for Ladysmith after four months of suffering and death.
 

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