Battle of Elandslaagte 21st October 1899
Game was in 15mm scale, rules used were Victorian Steel, we decided that the game should be 6 turns and if the Boers manage to hold out they could then fall back and escape at the rear of the hieghts, the British had to push hard againsted the heights and try to stop the escape.
Rules worked very well with the period and it was interesting to game for the first time the Boer war of 1899, more photos on the main website in the gallery
http://grimsbywargamessociety.webs.com/Boer General Johannes Kock and staff at the battle of Elandslaagte
host imagesThe British forces were about 3,400 strong, comprising
1st Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment
Half of the 2nd Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders
Half of the 2nd Battalion, the Manchester Regiment
The 5th Lancers
One squadron of the 5th Dragoons
The Natal Carabiniers
The Imperial Light Horse
2 Field Batteries
The Natal Field Battery"
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Commander of the British force John French head towards the entrenched Boers on the heights
upload an image"The Boers( the advance guard of Kock's column) occupied two kopjes, or heights, their principal camp being between these kopjes in the saddle between them, the artillery (2 guns) being entrenched on the lower of the two heights. They were about 1,400 strong. At about 4.0 pm, the British artillery opened from a position 4,400 yards from the Boers and prepared the attack for the infantry. This artillery preparation was deemed sufficient in about half and hour, and General French decided to make the infantry attack, the artillery moving up to its second position at 2,250 yards from the Boers, finally supporting the advance at 1,950 yards."
The Heights where General Kock made a stand againsted the 3000 british
free image hosting"The Devonshire Regiment attacked in front, advancing over perfectly open ground. Three companies were deployed in first line on a front of 380 to 500 yards, furnishing their own supports. The other four companies remained in reserve in single-file columns at 50 paces interval, the latter being increased when the Boer artillery opened on them.
The two guns bombard the British advance, during the game it cause havoc within the ranks and produced gaps between the ranks, and under the Victoria Steel rules the orders to regroup slowed the British advance.
free image uploadingGeneral Kock left flank await frustrated as most of the attack was at the center and right flank.
When the regiment arrived at about 1,200 yards from the enemy's position, Major Park, commanding the first line, halted it and opened fire, the only protection for the men being low ant-hills. the advance was continued, and, after a few volleys executed at a halt, the line was reinforced by the supports, and again advanced. In spite of the hail of bullets, the line moved on without a break, unhesitatingly, to within 750 yards of the enemy, and there remained lying down for a full half-hour, exposed to artillery and infantry fire, awaiting the signal for the final assault. Their khaki uniforms and the approaching darkness probably saved them from destruction.
General Ian Hamilton gets the order to try and encircle behide the heights and cut off the line of retreat.
From General Kock position he has the advantage to watch every British move.
Meanwhile, a flank movement was executed by the Manchester Regiment, which, after passing the guns, was joined by a dismounted squadron of Imperial Light Horse, the Gordon Highlanders following in support. The movement was over the lowest of the chain of heights, turning the left flank of the Boers. On arriving at the foot of the hill a heavy storm broke forth, and when it was over, the Gordon Highlanders found themselves among the rocks covering the crest of the hill, and exposed to the enemy's fire.
The British get to the foot of the hieghts and manage to suck in the Boers as the casualties mount up within the ranks, General French could see the Boers were pulling more men from there flanks in support of the center.
The supports then entered the line, filling up the interval between the columns. A small plateau was then crossed, next a depression between the hills, and finally a steep slope had to be scaled, but in spite of the difficulties and losses the line steadily advanced to within 600 yards of the enemy. the ground was entirely open as regards trees, but covered with stones and wire entanglements.
Artillery rain the Boer center, even though they were entrench Kock was having problems with his force and began falling back
The colonel, Dick Cunyngham, of the Highlanders, had been twice wounded, and h alf the officers were laid low, when Colonel Hamilton ordered a trumpeter to sound a charge, which was taken up by all the other trumpeters, and Drum-Major Lawrence jumped to the front and placed himself at the head of the line, playing the national air.
The 5th Lancers make the move to the rear of the heights.
The entire line now advanced.
At 6.30pm the Boer's position was taken, two of their guns being captured. The 5th Lancers were sent in pursuit. The Boers lost 100 killed, 108 wounded and 188 prisoners, including General Kock and Colonel Schiel (commanding the German volunteers); the British lost 6 officers and 49 men killed, 29 officers and 178 wounded and 10 men missing "
November 26, 2013, 10:41:30 PM