Battle of Willow Grange

Battle of Willow Grange
Part of the Second Boer War
Hospital Wagon bringing in the wounded from the fight
Date 23 November 1899 Location Willow Grange, Natal 29°06′15.5″S29°55′39.0″E / 29.104306°S 29.927500°E / -29.104306; 29.927500 (Battle of Willow Grange) Result Boer Victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	South African Republic (Transvaal)
Commanders and leaders
Walter Kitchener	Piet Joubert
Strength
3,000	2,000
Casualties and losses
115 killed, 49 wounded	2 killed, 2 wounded

The Battle of Willow Grange, which took place on 23 November 1899 at Willow Grange, south of Estcourt, saw the Boer forces under General Piet Joubert defeat the British forces. The battle was fought in adverse weather conditions; lightning struck, killing one civilian and knocking two others unconscious, and also killed six horses. Additionally, one British soldier was struck by lightning. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} This was the furthers Boer advance in the war, and afterwards, General Joubert would retreat, as reinforcements led by General Buller had arrived in Mooi River.

Background

The Boers had been advancing from Ladysmith since 1 November, ^[5] and on 3 November, took the town of Colenso. From there, they continued to advance south, and split their forces into two, one heading towards Frere, and the other heading towards Weenen. ^[6] At this point, the Natal Field Force was split into two, with the main body of troops besieged at Ladysmith, and a force of around 2,000 stationed at Estcourt, waiting for reinforcement from General Buller. ^[5] On 15 November, the Boers ambushed a British armored train, resulting in the capture of Winston Churchill. From there, they continued to advance south, bypassing Estcourt, and stationing themselves on the hills overlooking the railway line at Willow Grange. ^{[6] [1]} By 21 November, the British had seen the Boer position, and began preparations to dislodge them.

Battle

On 22 November, the British moved out from Estcourt under the command of Col. Walter Kitchener. They marched to the Boer position, and waited to attack at night. At midnight on 23 November, the British began their attack, however a lighting storm started, making the conditions adverse for both sides. ^[3]

Casualties

The British forces lost 115 soldiers, with 49 wounded, while the Boer forces had two soldiers killed and two wounded. ^[1]

References

1. Grobler, Jackie (2004). The War Reporter: The Anglo-Boer War Through the Eyes of the Burghers. Jonathan Ball. ISBN   978-1-86842-186-2.
2. "Battle of Willow Grange - Battlefields Route". 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
3. admin (2007-04-07). "The Battle of Willow Grange". SafariKZN. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
4. "Willow Grange Battlefield - Drakensberg Experience". 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
5. Spencer Churchill, Winston (May 6, 1900). "London to Ladysmith via Pretoria - Chapter 5". Wikisource. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
6. Conan Doyle, Arthur (May 1902). "The Great Boer War - Chapter 13". Wikisource. Retrieved 2024-10-04.