Colenso Gun Site

It’s December 1899 and the Second Boer War has just begun. It hasn’t been a good week for the British forces and it’s not about to get any better. Colonel Long leads a detachment of artillery troops towards the Colenso Koppies, too close to the enemy trenches. Although Boer leader, Botha, would have liked to reserve his fire until the infantry were within rifle range, he could not wait any longer when he noticed the enemy guns begin to unlimber and his team opened fire. Within half an hour, all 12 Armstrong guns had been silenced and were later captured by the Boers. 6 Victoria Crosses and 28 Distinguished Conduct Medals were won trying to save them, but they only managed to get 2 of the 12.