Battle of Graspan: Difference between revisions
←Created page with '{{Infobox military conflict | conflict = Battle of Graspan | partof = the Second Boer War | image = Battles of the nineteenth century (1901) (14782267695).jpg | image_size = 300px | caption = The Battle of Graspan as seen from the railway station | date = 25 November 1899 | place = near Ensiln, Orange Free State | coordinates = {{coord|29...' |
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| caption = The Battle of Graspan as seen from the railway station |
| caption = The Battle of Graspan as seen from the railway station |
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| date = 25 November 1899 |
| date = 25 November 1899 |
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| place = [[Siyancuma Local Municipality| |
| place = [[Siyancuma Local Municipality|Near Ensiln]], [[Orange Free State]] |
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| coordinates = {{coord|29|24|58|S|24|22|19|E|type:event_region:ZA |display=title |name=Battle of Belmont}} |
| coordinates = {{coord|29|24|58|S|24|22|19|E|type:event_region:ZA |display=title |name=Battle of Belmont}} |
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| result = British victory |
| result = British victory |
Revision as of 02:04, 15 November 2023
Battle of Graspan | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Second Boer War | |||||||
The Battle of Graspan as seen from the railway station | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
United Kingdom |
South African Republic Orange Free State | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Lord Methuen | Koos de la Rey | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
8,000 16 field guns |
2,000 5 field guns | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
20 killed 165 wounded | ~200 killed |
The Battle of Graspan, also known as the Battle of Enslin, was an engagement in the Second Boer War near the Enslin railway station at Graspan kopje. The battle took place on November 25, 1899 between British forces led by Lord Methuen and Boers led by Koos de la Rey.
After the Battle of Belmont, Lord Methuen's force advanced up the railway in armored trains. On November 24th, the train was shelled by Boer artillery in the nearby hills, deraling it. Methuen then decided to engage the Boers in order to continue his advance, with a subsequent assault on the next day[1].
Battle
In the morning of November 25th, the 9th Brigade headed north towards Graspan kopje. A Boer pom-pom fired on the British advances, along with four 75mm Krupp Guns. The artillery fire killed 5 British regulars and two horses, in response the British fired their 12-inch naval guns[2], quickly silencing the Boers. After the artillery engagement, Methuen heliographed the Coldstreams and Grenadiers to advance from Belmont to Graspan.
After the Guards had made their way to Graspan, they along with the Northamptonshires and Northumberland Fusiliers advanced up the railway towards the kopje. As they advanced towards the Boer positions, the British opened fire on the Boer positions under the cover of the grass and rocks[3]. Dashing advances were made by the British until they reached the hill. Some of the Boers retreated from their concealed positions during the British charge, making them easy targets for the advancing troops. Eventually the British surronded the Boers, causing them to retreat to the Modder River in droves[4].
Aftermath
After the battle, Lord Methuen's force continued advacing up the railway towards Kimberley. Eventually on November 28th, his forces would engage with a much larger Boer army at the Battle of Modder River. Methuen would win, but take many casualties. Metheun's advance would be halted, however, after the disatrous defeat at the Battle of Magersfontein.
- ^ "RMA HIGHLANDS". rma-highlands.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "South African Military History Society - Journal - OFS Artillery at Graspan". samilitaryhistory.org. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "Battles of Graspan (also known as Enslin)". www.britishbattles.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "Battles of Graspan (also known as Enslin)". www.britishbattles.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.