The Siege at Elands River Post
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/0/1/23011522/2845326.png?345)
According to The Light Horse Organisation: "The Siege at Elands River Post, in which Australian Troops played a major part in, was one of the most remarkable engagements of the Boer War." The siege began on the 4th and ended on the 16th of August, 1900. When news received from General Carrington confirmed the Elands River garrison was still holding one week after it had been decided to "leave them to their fate". In this battle the about 500 of the British Empire fought against 2,000 - 3,000 South African Boers. The British Empire was made up of a about 300 Australians, almost 200 Rhodesia's (now called Zimbabwe), 3 Canadians and 3 British.
In the first two days of battle all of the British Empires horses and cows had been killed by 17,480 of the enemies shells. Each day of the siege that followed was similar with the Boers commencing fire at 6:00 am and ceasing at dusk. The snipers continued during the day. Each night the allies would send out water parties to the river as their position did not have a water supply. During the battle, 12 British, Australian, Canadian and/or Rhodesian's were killed and 34 had been wounded.
The Battle of Elands River was an important battle as it was located on a commanding bit of territory and any side who won this battle would have a much, much better chance of winning the Boar War. Winning the battle of Elands River greatly effected the British Empire's territorial fight in the Boer War.
The Battle of Elands was one of the first of many times that the Australians helped out the British in fighting their wars. It was also the true birth of the Australian war spirit, the never say die attitude that we are truly known for.
In the first two days of battle all of the British Empires horses and cows had been killed by 17,480 of the enemies shells. Each day of the siege that followed was similar with the Boers commencing fire at 6:00 am and ceasing at dusk. The snipers continued during the day. Each night the allies would send out water parties to the river as their position did not have a water supply. During the battle, 12 British, Australian, Canadian and/or Rhodesian's were killed and 34 had been wounded.
The Battle of Elands River was an important battle as it was located on a commanding bit of territory and any side who won this battle would have a much, much better chance of winning the Boar War. Winning the battle of Elands River greatly effected the British Empire's territorial fight in the Boer War.
The Battle of Elands was one of the first of many times that the Australians helped out the British in fighting their wars. It was also the true birth of the Australian war spirit, the never say die attitude that we are truly known for.
Breaker' Last Battle
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/0/1/23011522/777632.jpg?940)
On his return to Africa in April 1901, Lieutenant
Morant joined an
irregular unit called the Bushveldt
Carbineers (BVC). The BVC unit was made up of about 320 soldiers, of that, almost
40% were Australian’s. The BVC was raised in South Africa, to fight the Boers
in Northern Transvaal on their own terms. No unit was more feared by the Boers
than the Bushveldt Carbineers.
On August 5, 1901, Captain Hunt and 17 Carbineers raided a Boer farmhouse and found four times as many Boers as expected. During the attack both Captain Hunt and Sergeant Eland were killed.
Captain Hunt, was wounded, then killed and mutilated. His neck broken, his face stamped upon with nailed boots and his legs slashed with a knife. His body had also been stripped completely of clothes.
After the battle the BVC established a post in the farmhouse about 140 km north of Pietersburg, which they renamed Fort Edward.
This battle was important as it was when Breaker and the other soldiers committed their war crimes. Morant exacted his revenge by executing Visser, who was the Boer soldier found wearing Hunt's clothes, and some other Boer prisoners. A German missionary named Hesse was also killed after Morant had suspicions about his motives in speaking with Boer prisoners.
Seven Carbineers, including Lieutenants Morant, Peter Joseph Handcock and George Ramsdale Witton, were charged with shooting Boer prisoners and the German missionary.
These executions changed the Australian war image forever. It showed the rest of the world that the Australians were ready for full guerrilla warfare. It was also another example of the Australians backing up the British in their wars.
On August 5, 1901, Captain Hunt and 17 Carbineers raided a Boer farmhouse and found four times as many Boers as expected. During the attack both Captain Hunt and Sergeant Eland were killed.
Captain Hunt, was wounded, then killed and mutilated. His neck broken, his face stamped upon with nailed boots and his legs slashed with a knife. His body had also been stripped completely of clothes.
After the battle the BVC established a post in the farmhouse about 140 km north of Pietersburg, which they renamed Fort Edward.
This battle was important as it was when Breaker and the other soldiers committed their war crimes. Morant exacted his revenge by executing Visser, who was the Boer soldier found wearing Hunt's clothes, and some other Boer prisoners. A German missionary named Hesse was also killed after Morant had suspicions about his motives in speaking with Boer prisoners.
Seven Carbineers, including Lieutenants Morant, Peter Joseph Handcock and George Ramsdale Witton, were charged with shooting Boer prisoners and the German missionary.
These executions changed the Australian war image forever. It showed the rest of the world that the Australians were ready for full guerrilla warfare. It was also another example of the Australians backing up the British in their wars.
References
"Breaker Morant." South Australian History. South Australian History, n.d. Web. 2 May 2014. <http://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/breakermorant.htm>
"Breaker Morant." South Australian History. South Australian History, n.d. Web. 2 May 2014. <http://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/breakermorant.htm>