EXCITING TIMES RECALLED

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1929, Page 15 (Supplement)

EXCITING TIMES RECALLED

NEW ZEALANDERS IN WAR WORK IN OVERSEAS CAMPAIGN. DASHING EXPLOITS ON THE VELDT

(By J. A. Shand, New Zealand War Correspondent, Boer Campaign). Copyright.—All Rights Reserved. No. 11. Before the New Zealanders left the vicinity of Colesberg, in Northern Cape Colony, on their sensational advance northward®, one of the highest compliments ever paid to overseas mounted forces was their inclusion in General French’s “Flying Cavalry Brigade,” when they were associated with such famous cavalry regiments as the Ist Lifeguards, the Household Cavalry, 6th Dragoons, fit i Dragoon Guards, 10th Hussars, Scots’ Greys, and 16th (Queen's) Lancers. The New South Wales Lancers and some of the Queensland Mounted Rifles were also included in this composite. cavalry brigade, which was to be engaged in one of the most important missions of tho campaign, viz., tho relief of Kimberley. Few know that tho besieged “diamond city was tho goal; the secret was well kept. It was on tho cards that there was to be a movement towards the north, but the general opinion was that Hopcstown and Magcrsfontcin were the ultimate destinations. Christmas of 1899 and tho New Year of 1900 proved uneventful, but the following months were full of sensational happenings. On February 9th, 1900, the Nev Zealanders bado farewell to Arundel and Slingersfontein, and with some of tho best cavalry regiments in the world set out on.the great adventure. And 1 it proved successful. The Boers were taken by surprise, and, with the assistance of General Lord Methuen (who had previously met with a serious reverse at Modder River and Magcrsfontcin), who engaged tho enemy simultaneously with the advance of the cavalry on Kimberley, General French was enabled to carry out a splem. d flanking movement; then, by clever strategy aand faultless disposition of his forces, dash on and relieve tho beleaguered city on the evening of ’ Thursday, February 15th. The relieving forces were received with frenzied enthusiasm, the New Zealanders sharing in tho honours. General Methuen’s forces were quickly on the heels of the mounted men, and tho subsequent meeting with tho great Cecil Rhodes and Colonel Kekewich (who was in command of the defending forces) was ono of the most dramatic episodes of tho campaign. CRONJE’S SURRENDER. There had- also been sensational happenings in another sector of tho campaign close to where the New Zealanders worj operating. After inflicting heavy losses' on tho British forces at Modder River and Magcrsfontcin, tho Boers, under General Cronje, had taken up strong positions along the banks of’ the Modder River, Tho famous Highland Brigade under General Sir Hector Macdonald (“Fighting Mac.,” as his men loved to call him) had suffered many casualties, and tho enemy, stimulated by its successes, were confidently waiting for the attack, relying on their apparently impregnable position to protect them from shell and rifle-lire. An overseas force — tho gallant Canadians—however, helped materially to force tho issue, for over-, night, almost on their own responsibility, they crept to a danger.ous ’vantage point, and when tho general attack was made in the morning, they were in such a commanding position that they raked tho Boers with deadly fire. Tho British troops displayed unexampled bravery in this dcspchito engagement, and Cronje, realising that defeat was inevitable, surrendered on February 27th, 1960, with the best part of 8000 burghers. “It is fate,” he said, resignedly; “’tis better ' to surrender than see my men feeding tho vultures of tho veldt.” This great British victory, together with the relief of Kimberley, had a farreaching effect. The Boers now realised that their immense fighting front, once an advantage, had become a menace. Imperial and Colonial troops were pouring into various ports, British troops, including New Zealand contingents (the second, with Major Cradock in command, had arriv. were disposed north, south and west and their activities were such that the enemy’s Intelligence Department, formerly effective, became a negligibri quantity. General Buller, on the Ladysmith side, made a determined attack on tho Boer position in jiorth-wcst Natal, raised tho seigo of Ladysmith, and drove the enemy from tho heights of tho Drakensberg ranges. This was on February 28th, 1900. CAPTURE OF BLOEMFONTEIN. Tho New Zealand troops which took part in the relief of Kimberley were not long to remain inactive. Soon tho forces under General French turned their faces eastward, and tho advance towards ' Bloemfontein, tho capital of tho Orange Free began. The surrender of the Boer forces under Cronje left the 100 miles between the city of diamonds and the capital comparatively free of enemy troops, and there was very little opposition to tho British advance until they were within striking distance of Bloemfontein. Hero some big guns and “pompom” batteries camo into action, but were soon silenced by the British artillery, and tho entry into Bloemfontein followed. Some of the “pom-pom” gunners, on being captured, proved to be mere boys, and had evidently been detailed to “man” the guns while their elders made good their escape. The man who officially handed the keys of Bloemfontein to Lord Roberts (who with Kitchener had taken the supreme command) was the lion. George Fraser, a native of South Africa, who had been educated at the Inverness (Scotland) Free Church Institution, and later at Marischal and King’s Colleges, Aberdeen. Ho was a son of tho Rev. Colin Mackenzie Fraser, had married a relation of President Steyne, but had little enthusiasm for tho Bocrs ? cause. Ho informed mo that 'ho had relations in New Zealand, and was curious to know if any of them were members of tho Colonial forces in South Africa. He was amazed at the splendid typo of fighting men who were coining from British colonies all over tho world, and said the New- Zealanders were “fine fellows.” I had several conversations with Mr. Fraser, and found him a courteous, well-inform-ed gentleman. IN A “HOT CORNER.” Just prior to tho occupation of Bloemfontein tho New Zealanders dropped in lor a rather warm time, and again gained jmstinted praise, not only for the cour- i

ageous manner in which they fought, bv ’ for the skilful manner in which they extricated themselves from most dangerous positions. At Osfontcin, before Bloemfontein, they succeeded in outflanking a largo Boer force, while at Fricfontcin they were subjected to heavy shell-fire, but bravely “stuck it” until the cavalry under General French succeeded in turning the enemy’s position. It was subsequently ascertained that in this engagement tho Boer forces numbered 8060, and tho New Zealanders were extremely lucky in escaping with but few casualties. Other Colonial forces were not so fortunate, tho Victorians losing heavily, Colonel Umphelby, a splendid officer, being one of those mortally wounded. The Second New Zealand contingent, under Major Cradock, were engaging the Boer forces in the centre of Cape Colony while working up to the main columns. After the formal occupation of Bloemfontein Lord Roberts despatched tho following typical cable message to the British Government: “By the help of God and the bravery of Her Majesty’s solI have taken possession of Bloemfontein.” NEW ZEALANDERS CAPTURED. Shortly after the occupation of Bloemfontein tho New Zealanders met with disaster, due to faulty scouting of those at tho head of a convoy in charge of Prince Adolphus of Tcek (a captain of the Life Guards), a brother of our present Queen Mary. Major-General Broadwood had ordered the convoy to proceed to a given destination. Mounted troops acted as escort, and four batteries of Royal Horse Artillery were with the column. When Koornspruit was reached a withering fire came from three sides, and it was apparent that the British troops had walked into an ambuscade. With Roberts’ Horse the New Zealanders fought gallantly, though outnumbered by six to one, and taking advantage of what cover was available, managed to hold off tho main body of the enemy until reinforcements under Major-General Colville arrived. Another portion, of the New Zealanders was not so fortunate, being completely surrounded and eventually captured, seventeen N.C.O.’s and men falling into the Boers’ hands. Sergeant “Billy” (now Captain) Pitt managed to got some of tho New Zealanders away in a Cape cart, and ho also saved important headquarters’ correspondence. The New Zealand and other prisoners were taken to Winburg, a Boer position CO miles north of Bloemfontein and then on to Pretoria. The captured men were: Quarter-master Borland (Christchurch), Sergeant Harris (Wellington), Privates Claude Jewell (Auckland), Miller (Heretaunga), Pope (Waikato), Tarrant (Auckland), Valentino (Hawcra), Wyllie (Alexandra), Butters (Wellington), Catherall (Hastings), Cossar (Canterbury), Franklin (Rangitikei), Heenan (Southland), Prosser (E.lesmorc), Palmer (Hawera), Waldie (Wellington), and Powell (Wanganui). In justice to the New Zealand forces engaged, it should be stated that the disaster was . duo to imperfect scouting, for which none of the overseas forces are h .d responsible. ROUGH RIDERS’ BAPTISM. Before the general advance northwards commenced there was a long* and irrit ting delay, due to the Boers again concentrating in tho vicinity of Wepener, and making determined attacks on Colonel Dalgety’s portion of the Colonial division (commanded by .General Brabant), penned up in that town. Here the ,i ii rd Contingent (“Rough-riders”) under Major Jowsey, had their baptism of fire. It was Sunday, April 22nd, 1900, at Boesman’s Kop, where the New Zealanders carried out a cleverly-executed flanking movement, the success of which greatly assisting the advance of General Brabant’s column moving up on the relief of Wepener. Together with some of Brabant’s Horse they succeeded in outflanking tho enemy on the eastern slopes of kopjes almost on the Basutoland border. The Boers opened up a heavy fire on the New Zealanders, who, however, showed cleverness and gallantry, and their attack was so determined that the Boers were routed. Genera: Brabant was thus enabled to push on with more expedition, and when Wepener was relieved, and Colonel Dalgety’s brave little band liberated, General Brabant complimented Major Jowsey and his men on their splendid work.

GREAT ADVANCE NORTHWARDS.

Tho flight of tho Boers northwards after tho relief of Wepener opened'up tho way for tho great advance northwards from Bloemfontein. This commenced on May 1, 1960, when the Third Division under Lieut.-G'eneral PoleCarcw, Seventh Division under Lieut.Gcncral Tucker, and tl.o Colonial Brigade (which included the New Zealanders) under Major-General Hutton, surprised and captured Brandfort. The New Zealanders were entrusted with some important work on this occasion, and never made a mistake. They were ti. first troops to enter Brandfort on May 2, and the next morning saw them off to tho Vet River, where the Boers were reported to be concentrating. Here the Boers opened a 'heavy artillery fire, and the general advance was momentarily checked. Again the Colonial brigade was to tho fore, and, dashing to the light, they succeeded in again turning the Boers’ flank, while tho Imperial and other troops struck at the centre and left. The Zand RivGr was reached. The New Zealanders, New South Wales mounted men, and the Canadians again won high commendation from Lord Roberts for their dashing and daring exploits. On again, position after position being won until the country north of the Zand River was occupied by the British forces, and on May 12 Lord Roberts made a victorious entry into Kroonstadt. FLIGHT OF THE BOERS. Tho days passed quickly, for the advance was so rapid that time, as well as the Boers, seemed to bo on the wing. Tho southern bank of tho Vaal River was reached on tho night of May 24th (The Queen’ birthday) after tho hardest trek of tho campaign—from Kroonstadt, which was captured after some fighting—and Johannesburg, tho golden city of tho Rand, became the next objective of tho victorious British forces. From this point the Boer’s opposition strengthened, and some determined fighting ensued in the direction of Potchefstrora on tho left, in the centre, while tho cavalry and mounted infantry executed cleverly planned flanking movements. When the scarped sides of the Magaliesbcrg ranges camo into view we all knew that before us lay the’ famous Witwaters Rand, the richest goldfields in the world, and its wonder city, Johannesburg. On the evening of May 30 wc saw tho rugged lines of the mountains fringed with tho smoke from the British lyddite shells, and noted the steadily decreasing opposition from tho Boer artillery. The attack was pressed home, and the following day saw the

formal occupation of tho splendid city by the British forces, under the great leaders, Lord Roberts and his Chief of Staff, Lord Kitchener. THE FALL OF PRETORIA. In these latter operations the New Zealanders (First, Second and Third contingents) played their part; they had proved themselves to ho true soldiers of th Queen. They were now self-reliant, courageous, and wonderfully resourceful in every emergency. Indeed, so valuable ha 4 the colonials proved themselves — this, of course, applied to all the overseas forces — that the Imperial Government offered to bear portion of the expense of equipping other contingents. It was with pride, therefore, that wo received news that New -Zealand was sending more men, and that the Fourth and Fifth contingents had already departed from our island home across the seas. But there were stirring times ahead. The British troops were held in Johannesburg only long enough to allow the necessary formalities in connection with the occupation to be concluded, and disposition of forces arranged; then, on to Pretoria, the capital city of the Transvaal, the homo of President Paul Kruger

(who had fled the country with, it was reported, three millions in gold, and sailed for Holland from Lorenco Marquez, tho port of Portuguese East Africa), and the seat of Radzaal, the Boer’s stately House of Parliament. Standing on one of the commanding heights of the Maga-lie-berg ranges, one witnessed heartstirring scenes as the victorious British Army, now truly representative of the great Empire on which the sun always shines, poured out from the northern entrances of the handsome city. Scouts, cavalry screens, mounted infantry, artillery heavy and light, more cavalry, more mounted infantry, divisions of infantry, ammunition and supply columns — no wonder the astonished Boers shouted: “Almighty, all is lost; they come from the foui- corners of the earth.” BOER’S BACK TO WALL. But though the British Amy moved rapidly towards its goal, tho Boers moved faster. While they had no heart for close combat with the advancing thousands who spread over the high veldt like swarms of locusts, they were by no me is defeated. There were the wild bush veldt, the open spaces, the sluits, kopjes, dongas and bergs, from

which they could still fight. The siege o. xTetoria was scarcely worthy of the name. Tho guns on the forts offered but feeble resistance to the great army .which enveloped Pretoria; thousands of burghers had’ streamed through the valleys on the north, and north-east; most of the available food had been commandeered, field commissariats hastily but capably arranged; money and valuables had been either removed or secreted. The British Army swept aside all opposition as one would brush off insects with a fly-whisk, and moved steadily towards its objective. Long range guns spoke at Intervals; some of the more fanatical commandos stuck to their posts; there was a desultory firing from some of the protecting kopjes. But Preto ■’ . did not lend itself well to a longsustained resistance, and on June 5, 1900, the white flag appeared, and the city was spared from bombardment. Thus three important cities of varying b undoubted beauty had capitulated within the short space of three months, viz, Bloemfontein, on March 13. Johannesburg, on May 31, and Pretoria the capital of the Transvaal, on June 3. Kimberley, Ladysmith, Wepener and Mafeking had in turn been relieved, so that tim year 1900 had oneneek most. ... ns.

auspiciously for tho British Empire and its army. That great little leader Lord Roberts (“Our Bobs,” as his men loved to call him), and his herculean, taciturn Chief of .Staff, Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, had changed the whole complexion of the war, and tho British nation was shouting as with one voice, “Victory is ours.” A GUERILLA CAMPAIGN. But it was to be sadly disillusioned. The end. .s not yet. Many weary and disappointing months of fighting were ahead —a guerilla campaign which was to cost millions before the stubborn foe threw down his worn arms, and cried “Enough!” And in this extraordinary series of “Partridge drives,” as they were aptly termed, tho gallant New Zealanders were to experience their greatest disaster on the South African fields of battle. Details of this and other sensati' nal episodes, including the plot to abduct Ix>rd Roberts, th.? court-martial, and the subsequent shooting of the principal offender, and., tho shocking tragedy of the Bush-Veldt C*rbir.eeru (for which a British ofllcer was court-martiallcd and shot); will be given in the third and concluding articife- i'