DISASTER IN NAMAQUALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16199, 8 October 1914, Page 5

DISASTER IN NAMAQUALAND.

MOUNTED RIFLES AND ARTILLERY AMBUSHED. TWO SQUADRONS SURRENDER. GERMAN COMMANDER BEHAVES WELL. LONDON, October 6. (Received Oct. 7, at 11.15 p.m.) Renter's correspondent with the Namaqualand expedition cabled on October I details of fighting leading to the surrender of two squadrons of the Ist South African Mounted Rifles and a section of the Transvaal Artillery. The advance guard occupied a water' hole approached through a narrow defile. The Germans had apparently retired, but when the party outspanned for the night 2000 Germans, with 10 guns, attacked them from surrounding kopjes and seized the defile. The fight continued the following morning. Every Transvaal gunner was killed or wounded. (Received Oct. 7, at 11.45 p.m.) Meanwhile the main force made desperate efforts to rescue the advance guard. Two squadrons suffered heavy casualties from inachinc guns in attempting to force a second entrance to the valley. By noon the British ammunition was exhausted. The party then destroyed the guns, while the riflemen kept down the enemy's fire and then hoisted the white flag. The German commander complimented the Soiith Africans upon their gallantry and the accuracy of their gunfire. He treated the prisoners well and buried the British dead with the honours of war.