Elandslaagte Battlefield

The second battle of the Anglo-Boer War was fought here on the 21st October 1899. The Boers had occupied the station the previous night and the GOC Natal Field Force, Lt Gen Sir George White VC, ordered Maj Gen Sir John French to dislodge them and restore the communications between Ladysmith and Dundee.

A classic conventional battle took place, commanded by Colonel Ian Hamilton, resulting in a crushing defeat of the Boer force commanded by General Jan Kock, who was killed in the battle.  The image shows shell damage to the Ladysmith Town Hall.

Co-ordinates: Battle Ridge: S28° 25.537’ E29° 58.742’; Boer Hollander Corps Memorial: S28° 25.370’  E29° 58.771’; British military cemetery: S28° 25.461’  E29° 58.952’.