The Battle of Colenso was fought during the Second Boer War (1899-1902) between Britain and the republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. In an attempt to relieve the siege of Ladysmith in northern Natal, British troops under General Redvers Buller clashed with Boer forces along the south bank of the Tugela River.
Buller’s force included twelve 15-pounder guns of the 14th and 66th Field Batteries under Colonel Charles Long. At 0600 hrs the batteries deployed less than 1000 yards from the Tugela riverbank, exposed and with no support from their accompanying naval guns which had fallen behind.
Here we see the gun crews in action, taking heavy rifle and shell fire from concealed Boer positions across the river.
In the background can be seen the riverbank and the Boer-held hill known as ‘Fort Wylie’.
After almost an hour of constant firing, the crews had taken heavy losses and struggled to locate their targets. Having used up their ammunition, the survivors were forced to take cover in a small donga behind them. Buller then called for volunteer teams of horses and limbers to save the guns, but only two could be recovered. The remaining guns were captured after the battle, costing Buller nearly a third of his available artillery.
By Ibrahim Zamir
Empire of History 