Battle of Stormberg

Talana Hill - Elandslaagte - Modder River - Stormberg - Magersfontein - Colenso - Spion Kop - Paardeberg - Ladysmith - Sanna 's Post - Mafeking

The Battle of Stormberg was a battle in the Second Boer War. She was the first defeat of the British in the so-called Black Week, as within a week three British associations of irregular Boer forces were defeated.

Prehistory

The British plan for the action against the Boers States stipulated that a division under General William Gatacre should secure the area south of the Orange Free State. Gatacre but had to send troops into the also threatened by the Boers Natal. He therefore reached his application late and with reduced troop strength. Meanwhile, the Boers had already attacked from the Orange Free State the important railway junctions De Aar and Stormberg.

Gatacre learned on December 8, the loss of Storm Mountain and decided to take an immediate counterattack. 1,800 soldiers were taken by train on December 9, according to Molteno, the last railway station before Storm Mountain, which was still in British hands. From there they were to attack the Kissieberg, a hill that dominated the Boer positions. Since due to the rush no time for reconnaissance was left and preparations were made rashly, the troops were already exhausted when they reached Molteno.

The Battle

Morning December 10 When the British reached the Kissieberg, opened a small Boer position with three cannon fire. Actually, the British would have to bypass the Kissieberg to force the Boers to retreat, as about half of the British infantry without command undertook an assault on the hill. However, they found the hill from this side due to steep rocks impregnable. British artillery opened fire, but only hit their own troops.

The remaining British soldiers began to retreat in disorder. Gatacre issued out an order to retreat to Molteno. Meanwhile Mounted Boer reinforcements had arrived and attacked from two sides. The retreat of the exhausted British were met by mounted infantry and artillery, with two guns were lost. Only in Molteno Gatacre noticed that 600 men had been left behind on the Kissieberg. Hopelessly cut off they were forced to surrender.

After the battle

The Boers were the opportunities that arose from them Gatacres defeat, not initially realize. When they tried it later, British reinforcements had already arrived and the area had secured to Molteno.