General Louis Botha`s Second Expedition to Natal September October 1901

During August 1901 General Botha gathered the commandos of the eastern and south-eastern Transvaal and with a force of more than 1 000 men threatened the towns of northern Natal. On 17 September Bothas force clashed with Colonel H. Goughs Mounted Infantry at Blood River Poort. Gough and his men were overwhelmed and most were taken prisoner. This action served to warn the British Command at New-castle of the Boer approach. Troops were deployed along the swollen Buffalo River and prevented Bothas entry into Natal. Botha then moved southwards and established his head-quarters on a farm in the Babanango District. From here he launched simultaneous attacks on the Zululand frontier posts of Itala and Fort Prospect during the early hours of 26 September. Although he had actually failed to raid British territory Bothas expedition showed that the burghers in the field were still militarily significant. The expedition was also successful as a diversion, drawing thousands of British troops away from their pre-planned operations on the Highveld. Dr Moore has written a scholarly, well-documented and at the same time well-written account of this unknown aspect of the Boer War. The book is illustrated by expertly drawn maps and rare photographs.

Hardcover. English. Historical Publication Society. 1979. ISBN: 0. 112 pp with maps and black & white photographs. Good with worn dw in protective plastic. Book No: 2505542