The Distant Roar Of A Long Tom.

 

Aiming the Long Tom at Mafeking.

Our Forts Need Guns!

The Long Tom was a siege gun of French manufacture, made at the Schneider & Cie works in Le Creusot , Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region of eastern France. The gun was a 155mm (6") monster that could hurl a 43kg (94lb) shell some 9.88km (6.1 miles).

The propellant cartridge was a canvas bag of black powder and it shot one of three types of shell. The explosive shell containing MC30 explosives, a shrapnel shell with a percussion cap or a time fuse, during the early days of the war this timer did not work very well causing all sorts of problems, and finally when things got really sticky, case shot, this turns the artillery piece into a giant shotgun!

After the abortive raid into the Transvaal by Dr Leander Starr Jameson and his men in 1896, the Transvaal government, under the leadership of Paul Kruger, had built four forts around Pretoria. These forts were called Klapperkop, Schanskop, Daspoortrand and the superbly named Wonderboompoort. Four Creusot 155mm Long Toms were purchased to be housed in the forts along with 4,000 explosive, 4,000 shrapnel and 800 case shot shells.

Two years later these defensive guns were to have their offensive baptism of fire when the second Anglo-Boer War broke out on the 11th October 1899.

To The Front!

On the 12th October the Boers invaded Natal and Cape Colony, in Natal the natural reaction was to drive straight for Durban and capture that very important port, but the Boer high command had other ideas. With the scattered British forces on the back foot the Boers soon surrounded the towns of Ladysmith (Natal), Kimberley and Mafeking (Cape Colony).

With these towns now totally cut off from outside British help the Boers needed some devastating firepower, and so the four Long Toms headed south and west to the war. One went to harass Mafeking, while the other three made their way to Ladysmith, Kimberley, for the moment, would be spared the ominous sound of an incoming 94lb shell. 

A Long Tom attracts crowds at Pretoria station.

Keeping up with the movements and the actions of the Long Tom is made rather difficult due to the British habit of calling the 75mm Krupp field gun which fired a 18kg (40lb) shell a Long Tom. When the first shells started to fall on Ladysmith from Lombard's Kop they were fired from these guns, in a newspaper report they were referred  to as "Klapperkop Toms" some would be destroyed by counter battery fire from the British positions within Ladysmith.

Ladysmith.

By the 3rd November a Creusot 155mm Long Top was positioned on Pepworth Hill (Rietfontein Hill), during heavy fighting around Lombard's Kop several British regiments were compelled to retreat under fire, even with the British guns putting down a barrage under which the troops could withdraw, the Long Tom on Pepworth Hill caused severe casualties amongst the exposed British.

Within the week a second Long Tom nicknamed "Puffing Billy" had been positioned on Bulwana Hill, this gun soon began dropping shells into the besieged town, without, apparently, doing much damage. Meanwhile the British guns had severely damaged a 40lb gun on Hepworth Hill.

Luckily for the British garrison the Long Toms were not smokeless, a cloud of white smoke heralded an incoming shell, several buildings were damaged by their attentions, and there are many stories in contemporary news reports of the narrow escapes experienced by the defenders.

On the 27th November a third Long Tom was positioned on Middle Hill.

Even with three Long Toms, and many artillery pieces of various calibres dotted around the hillsides, well dug in troops and a stranglehold on the town, Ladysmith still proved a tough nut to crack. On the defenders side they had around 12,500 men, the Boers nearly 21,000. The British had been bolstered by many units coming in from those early battles in Natal, which included a 4.7" Naval gun and some 12 pounders.

The British relief force under General Buller was being held back on the River Tugela, several attempts would be made to breach the Tugela line but they all ended in defeat, the humiliation of "black week" would be hard to bear, but I'm jumping ahead. The occupants of Ladysmith could communicate with Buller through searchlights and heliographs, but for all intents and purposes, they were on their own.

When a burst of a Long Tom was seen, the 12 pounders would open up on that area of hill with shrapnel rounds, hoping to dissuade the crew from returning to the gun, or better still, make the Boers train new crews. It was reported on the 8th December that the crew of the Pepworth Hill Long Tom had indeed been killed, but like many of these reports, it was hard to verify, and probably referred to a Krupp gun or just wishful thinking.

White puffs of smoke from the Long Tom on Pepworth Hill.

But the shelling continued anyway, although in a haphazard way, the time between shells was quite varied, although relatively ineffective some hit home, one shell destroyed an ambulance killing a member of the Naval Brigade, a mule was decapitated and another poor animal eviscerated, also many buildings were damaged.

The Boers then decided to move the Long Tom from its position on Pepworth Hill to another location on Gun Hill, next to Lombard's Kop north east of Ladysmith. From this new position the gun was able to "pepper" the area held by the Manchester Regiment wounding many and even breaching a sanger. A Gordon Highlander was also wounded before a torrential rainstorm hit curtailing Long Toms fun.

A report in the Daily Telegraph & Courier on the 11th December brought a bit of hope to the British reading public, it told of a daring raid on Gun Hill. 

"The most brilliant piece of work that has been done during the siege was accomplished at an early hour this morning. A column, composed of Light Horse and Natal Volunteers, and supported by British Regular Cavalry, went out last night under the command of General Sir Archibald Hunter.

R Danes, Cassel's History of the Boer War

Before dawn broke they attacked Gun Hill near Lombard's Kop, carried the position, and blew up three guns, including a 6" Creusot piece and a howitzer, and captured a Maxim-Nordenfelt quick firer (pom-pom). Our gallant little force left the town before ten o'clock last night, and took up position near the foot of Lombard's Kop.

About two o'clock this morning the advance began. The troops got past the Boer picket in the darkness, and were charging several hundred yards up the hill when the pickets awoke. A sentry hailed 'Wie gaat daar?' (Who goes there?), and getting no reply, he fired his rifle and then ran off shouting, ' Willem, Hans, Marteens, fly! The rooineks are upon you!'.

Penny Illustrated Paper - Saturday 23rd December 1899

The Boers around the guns fired several volleys at the advancing troops and then fled, dismayed, down the opposite side of the hill. Our men seized the guns without opposition.

Our engineers and men of No.10 Mountain Battery blew up the heavy guns with guncotton, and carried off the Maxim-Nordenfelt. The Boers had built a splendid emplacement on the top of the hill, but they bolted before our men like rabbits, leaving everything, even their private letters, behind them.

One of these epistles said they had bombarded Ladysmith for a month and nine days, but the rooineks were going about unconcernedly, and if the town was to be taken the Boers must do it at a terrible loss of life.

R Danes, Cassel's History of the Boer War

Our troops brought the breach block of Long Tom, together with the rammer, sponges, sights, friction tubes, and other fittings of the weapon. All the guns on the hill were quite destroyed, and are now utterly useless for offensive or defensive purposes.

The whole operation, counting from the moment the order to charge was given, was carried out in three quarters of an hour, with the loss on our side of seven men wounded. This magnificent piece of work has evidently filled the Boers with dismay, as their guns on Mount Bulwana have practically been silent all the day, and the success of the attack cannot fail to have an immense effect upon the morale of the Boers.

At daybreak a smart skirmish took place between the 18th Hussars, the 5th Lancers and the enemy to the north west of Ladysmith, near Pepworth Hill. Our cavalry had been covering the attack on the guns that night. The Boers thought that all our troops were engaged at Lombard's Kop, and tried to get near the town, but the movement was checked in capital style by the cavalry and our infantry on Long Hill.

The fighting was over at about six o'clock.

Our total loss for the whole morning's work was four killed and seventeen wounded, which may be regarded as trivial in view of the brilliance and importance of the feat performed by our troops, which has inflicted severe loss upon the enemy and has given the garrison increased confidence".

One Long Tom down, three to go, or so they thought!

For the other two Creusots it was business as usual, reported on the 30th December was the news that Long Tom shells had killed five Natal Carbineers, one Royal Engineer, wounded three men, killed several horses and smashed the turret on the Town Hall. To add to this misery an intercepted Boer telegram stated that the Long Tom blown up on Gun Hill had been sent back to Pretoria, it was now back in service and heading for the front.

A Long Tom Position at Ladysmith.

The siege dragged on with still no hope of relief, the relief force under General Buller had suffered three devastating defeats while trying to cross the Tugela, this was Black Week, the names Colenso, Stormberg and Magersfontein would haunt the British army.  At Ladysmith there were more unconfirmed reports of Boer gunners being killed but the guns still fired, rumours were everywhere, apparently six more Creusot 155mm Long Toms were landed from France and despatched to Pretoria, despite the blockade, tall stories indeed but it did not help morale.

Published in Pick Me Up on the 6th January was this little ditty;

"Long Tom was very generous,

He'd shell out by the hour;

He gave a lot to Ladysmith

As long as he'd the power;

But now he cannot pay his shot,

His aim is now not trusted,

The British paid him back a lot,

But poor Long Tom is busted."

One of the Empire's famous sons was also holed up in Ladysmith, on the 29th January Dr Leander Starr Jameson was reported wounded by a splinter from a Long Tom shell and found himself in hospital. The shelling seemed to be getting worse and more bad news from Buller, a big defeat at Spion Kop, the Tugela was still not breached, Sir Redvers Buller was beginning to be known as Sir Reverse Buller!

News from Ladysmith was much the same as usual, buildings damaged more men killed and now Dr Jameson has a fever. On the relief front another attack, this time at Vaal Krans.

Trouble On The Tugela.

The battle of Vaal Krans was another attempt at creating a bridgehead on the north bank of the Tugela just a few miles east from the last effort on Spion Kop. Having taken a Long Tom from Ladysmith and dug in, the Boers were ready.

Boers Heave A Long Tom Up Spion Kop.

According to the Daily Mail; 

"The kopje on Vaal Krantz, taken on Monday, is of a large range, and is important as being the last of the hills on the road to Ladysmith, with the exception of those encircling the town. The Boers who occupied Spion Kop and Doorn Kloof on either side possessed excellent artillery positions.

Early on Tuesday morning our artillery recommenced firing, and the Boer ordinance promptly replied with an enfilading fire from a Long Tom on Spion Kop, and from a smaller gun and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt on Doorn Kloof.

Our engineers had placed three pontoon bridges across the Tugela, and the Boer artillery tried to smash these. Though active for a time, the Boer fire was eventually silenced, but desultory rifle fire continued all day, our infantry steadily advancing."

This all sounds like it's going to plan, the infantry pressed forward up the hills, the Boers replied with shrapnel rounds, pom-pom and rifle fire, it was hard going. A Long Tom shell exploded near General Bullers position but caused no casualties, the Boers changed position of their artillery often to confound the British gunners.

The road to Ladysmith was covered by Boer artillery and there was no shifting them from their positions. The exposed infantry and cavalry would be at the mercy of Long Tom and his friends, to carry on would be madness and very costly in lives, and so it was decided to withdraw yet again.

The door to Ladysmith was closed, the siege continued.

London Daily Chronicle, Monday 5th February 1900;

"What To Do Under Fire.

Trooper F. Whitby, 10th Hussars, writes to his brother at Edmonton describing how hardened one gets to the flying bullets. He says: 'Myself and other remount take it in turn to go out with the boss. He is a very daring fellow, and takes you out in some very dangerous places. He does not stop for shot or shell.

Nobody can describe the feeling when the bullets are coming all around you like hailstones, with an occasional shell from a Long Tom. You look round after the dust has passed, and find three or four of your comrades and horses have gone down. You think to yourself, 'I wonder who's next?' But you take no notice, simply press your spurs into your poor horse, grind your teeth, grip like iron, hold up your sword, and go on like mad.'"

A week after the reverse at Vaal Krans Buller was again looking at Colenso, beaten there before, he did recognise that this was the most important crossing of the Tugela, this was the rail crossing. With this vital crossing in British hands the relief of Ladysmith would be a forgone conclusion.

The key to unlock the Boer line of defense was a hill called Hlangwane, during the earlier battle for Colenso being unable to take Hlangwane was a disaster for the British and caused the British into a humiliating withdrawal.

This time would be different, first the hills to the south were taken, feigning attacks kept the Boers busy while other hills soon fell into British hands, these hills were now full of artillery with a commanding range across the Tugela. A Long Tom began shelling positions on Hussar Hill, but the British 12 pounders silenced it. The position on Hlangwane became untenable for the Boers and they withdrew. As soon as Hlangwane was captured it was fortified with artillery and a pontoon was thrown across the Tugela, the Boer line had, at last, been breached.

The situation was still very dangerous, the Boers occupied all of the high ground on the way to Ladysmith, and the British would have to cross them to reach their goal. Numbers wise, to attack defensive positions in this way the attacking army should have at least a 5:1 ratio in men, Buller had at his disposal a ratio of 4:1, the British had to be careful.

Unfortunately the British rushed onward and at Hart's Hill, Wynne's Hill and Horseshoe Hill they ran into well defended Boer positions and paid a very dear price. Buller could not afford another disaster, but as luck would have it a gorge just north of the present pontoon bridge location would enable soldiers to cross and get into an attacking position without the Boers seeing them. The artillery was also brought up without any mishap.

On the left flank Sir Charles Warren (of the Whitechapel Murders fame) and his 5th Division attacked Pieter's Hill, Railway Hill then Hart's Hill, meanwhile Lyttelton's 4th Division hit the Boer centre and right flank under the protection of a creeping barrage, one of the earliest instances of this tactic.

Botha did not see this coming, but his men put up a deadly defence. The attack on the centre and right stalled, it was reinforced but still it got no further. Up in the hills the attack was moving slowly, Pieter's Hill was first to fall and after a magnificent bayonet charge and a very accurate artillery bombardment Hart's Hill fell. Botha had had enough, even from Ladysmith they could see Boer waggons heading north.

The Boers were gone and the Long Toms had gone with them, Ladysmith was relieved on the 28th February 1900. 

The Relief of Ladysmith

Mafeking.

Meanwhile over in Mafeking the Long Tom there was nicknamed by the British "Big Ben", the attack on Mafeking began on the 13th October 1899 and soon descended into the monotony of a prolonged siege.

General Cronje with the Mafeking Long Tom

According to the Black & White, Saturday 16th June 1900;

"There was very little alarm in the town, although the quiet of the early days was invaded by the rumbling of wagons as they were drawn to their appointed stations, and by the noise of the erection of barricades and the fortification of buildings. In addition to these works upon the eastern facings of the town, forts were constructed at convenient points along the entire perimeter of the defences.

As a consequence, we anticipated the arrival of the siege gun with a greater feeling of curiosity than of anxiety, and after experiencing its fire for six months it is quite evident that the most extraordinary feature of the siege is the absence of any very excessive damage from the projectiles of this one gun. 

The shell of this Creusot gun is some eighteen inches in length, and it's weight when fully charged is a trifle below 100 pounds. The gun has a range of just short of 9,000 yards - a somewhat high velocity, and a wide area of destructive capability. It has flung almost 1,500 pounds of metal into the town; and although it has wrecked numerous houses, killed many unfortunate people, it has not enabled the Boers to capture Mafeking.

Indeed, the presence of the Creusot gun in the Boer lines has been the direct cause of a somewhat heavy fatality among them, since so soon as their fire became too injurious, we bombarded its emplacement, or sniped its gunners. There have been many funerals in the Boer camp from this cause; and since it still hurls into the town its daily compliment of ammunition, it may be that we shall be organising once more sniping forays against Big Ben.

Long Tom "Big Ben" At Mafeking.

The effects of the first bombardment in which this gun participated were not very terrible; and although it destroyed several buildings with its huge projectiles, it did not succeed, fortunately, in killing anyone. 

The casualties from Big Ben have not been many, and it has secured more victims in the native stadt than amongst the white population. At times, however, the town would be alarmed and agitated by a rapid sequence of fatalities, brought about by the indifference of people to the consequence of shell fire".

As the relief force was drawing near the Boers decided to give the taking of Mafeking one last try with 240 men under the command of Field Cornet Eloff. He attacked through the native stadt under the guidance of a British deserter, they soon broke through and took over the police barracks on the edge of town. Some native huts had been torched by the Boers to alert their comrades above where they were, but the garrison had also seen the flames and were also alerted.

The native police belonging to the Barlong tribe cut off the Boer line of retreat. The Boers were now in three groups, Godley's B and D Squadrons of the Protectorate Regiment attacked the Boers in the stadt and they surrendered after a sharp engagement, they then drove off the second group of Boers, who mostly managed to escape. Eloff and the Boers in the police barracks surrendered later that night as their position was hopeless.

This last fling had cost the Mafeking garrison 12 dead 8 wounded, the Boers suffered 60 dead and wounded, and 108 captured. Finally a flying column of British and Canadians from Lord Roberts column reached Mafeking on the 17th May 1900 and the 217 day siege was over.

The Relief of Mafeking sparked celebrations all over Great Britain.

Again, just like the three Long Toms at Ladysmith, the fourth gun had disappeared with the Boers, their ability to move these steel monsters was astonishing. One British soldier remarked in the Star;

"Their odyssey over the steepest mountains looks so improbable.....with twenty pairs of oxen, or even the arms of the Boers alone, they have spent many a night in hoisting 'Long Tom' up the most precipitous heights. In the laagers a power all but supernatural is attributed to him."

Kimberley.

Kimberley was the second biggest town in Cape Colony, on the 14th October 1899 the Boers laid siege to it. Holed up in Kimberley was the larger than life Cecil Rhodes who barracked the press and politicians to hurry up with the relief and get this over with. The garrison commander Colonel Robert Kekewich was less hot headed and got on with making sure the position was viable.

The garrison only had six 2.5" mountain guns and a battery of 7 pounders, so with the lack of heavy artillery in his mind Kekewich had the engineers at De Beers design a gun to hurl a large shell into the Boer positions, something the existing arsenal could not achieve.

The result was Long Cecil, this gun had a bore of 100mm (3.9"), and could hurl a 13kg (29lb) shell 6km (3.7 miles). On the 21st January 1900 Cecil was fired for the first time on Boer positions, which had been thus far, untouchable.

Long Cecil, built at the De Beers workshops by George Labram

The Boer response was to bring up the newly repaired Long Tom from Pretoria, This was the Creusot that had been attacked at Ladysmith, the end of the barrel had to be shortened due to explosives damage, this shorter Long Tom was nicknamed "The Jew".

This newcomer to the siege caused consternation amongst the inhabitants, used to small calibre artillery that just meant a quick dive for cover, this monster made any cover above ground useless. Cometh the hour, cometh the man as the saying goes, Cecil Rhodes had a plan, Kimberley was a mining town, so let's use the mine as a shelter, genius!

Cecil Rhodes Sign For Using The Mine Shafts.

Where old Tom was positioned it took 17 seconds for the shell to travel into Kimberley, not a lot of time to sprint down a mine shaft, but at least there was some warning.

The Chief Mechanical Engineer at De Beers in Kimberley was George Labram, Labram was an American from Detroit, during the siege he was indispensable, he designed and, with his team, built two armoured trains, Long Cecil (the aforementioned artillery piece) and made ammunition in the workshops. He also assisted in bolstering the defences at Kimberley, created the emergency water supply and even refrigeration for storing food.

Unfortunately for Labram just as the British relief force was nearing on the 9th February, a Long Tom shell hit the Grand Hotel where he was staying, and killed him. Even at his funeral, which for safety reasons was held at night, the Boers tried to shell the procession. Labram's family were well compensated for his loss, which shows his importance to the defence of Kimberley.

Relief came by the way of the biggest cavalry division ever assembled in British military history, approved by Field Marshall Roberts (Bobs) and commanded by Major General John French. On hearing that the Boers were using a Long Tom at Kimberley Roberts ordered French to relieve Kimberley at all costs.

The plan was to feign an attack on the left, which encouraged the Boers to sent troops there while the center force would head towards Graspan with the cavalry guarding the right. The cavalry soon ran into Boer opposition at the Modder River and engaged, but at the last moment they wheeled left and charged to Klip Drift taking the Boers completely by surprise and routing them. Pausing a while to allow the horses to recover and the infantry to catch up, they then set off at a murderous pace towards Kimberley.

The main force under Roberts pushed on towards Bloemfontein, for French the road to Kimberley was dead ahead, the Boers held the high ground and poured rifle and artillery fire down onto the horsemen below, but the speed those cavalrymen were going nothing could stop them. The cavalry had crossed 120 miles (193km) in four days under fire and they reached Kimberley on the 15th February, ending the siege. Kimberley was the first of the besieged towns to be liberated, Rhodes could finally stop shouting.

But where was Long Tom?

The Shortened Long Tom, Nicknamed "The Jew".

French's cavalry didn't tarry long, they were soon ordered to cut off the Boer retreat and capture Long Tom. French and Roberts harassed the massive Boer waggon column, finally they gave battle at Paardeberg, the resulting fight cost both sides dearly, but Cronje's Commando was decisively beaten and over 4,000 prisoners were taken, but alas, no Long Tom.

Chasing Tom.

With the three sieges over the Boers still had all four Creusot 155mm Long Toms at their disposal, despite all the attentions the British could muster. On Buller's front the Boers under the command of Louis Botha had dug themselves in at Laing's Nek, just as they had in the first Boer War in 1880.

Laing's Nek was on Buller's march to Volksrust, from there the plan was to swing up to Pretoria and meet up with Roberts. The Boers held the high ground, they had dragged a Long Tom onto Pogwane Hill, and also blown up the railway tunnel.

Laing's Nek Railway Tunnel

As the British advanced a Long Tom shell burst nearby causing a little panic but no casualties. The next day Buller offered the Boers a chance to surrender, it was refused.

According to the St. James's Budget, Friday 15th June 1900;

"This morning the Middlesex Regiment, and the South African Light Horse moved to occupy Yellow Boom and Van Wyk, heights to our left rear commanding the pass. The movement resulted in a brilliant success.

The enemy on the heights were completely surprised. Riding rapidly along the old road, the scouts of the South African Light Horse gained Yellow Boom, to find 30 Boers lining the walls. One squadron raced up the left spur, and another followed the road. They were at once hotly engaged, but were soon reinforced by the rest of the regiment, and seized Yellow Boom and a part of Van Wyk.

By this time 600 to 1,000 Boers were in the fighting line, while the Long Tom enfiladed us, and made good practice. Thanks, however, to the South African Light Horse, who were excellent at taking cover, our men were able to hold their own until the Middlesex Regiment came up.

The remainder of Van Wyk was then taken at a rush. The enemy made a desperate attempt at recapturing the heights at sundown, under cover of burning grass, which was blowing in the faces of our men. The Boers moved close up to us and fired through the smoke, but again retreated as further reinforcements came up, the heights were then secured."

The Four Toms.

Two months later Buller had orders from Roberts to march towards Belfast, from Middleburg French and his cavalry had travelled towards Belfast stopping at Wonderfontein, this was where Bullers force would be supplied from.

Waiting for Buller, up in the hills around Belfast, sat the Boers. On the 18th August it was reported that;

"There are indications that the Boers have quit Belfast, and retired upon Dalmanutha, and thence to Machadodorp. A messenger from Machadodorp reports that the Boers are strongly fortified at that place with many guns. They have mounted a Long Tom upon a railway truck, which is disguised to represent lumber."

According to the Globe, Monday 27th August 1900;

"The chief position of the Boers is a strong semi circle of mountains passing around Belfast. The ridges are guarded by spurs, only approachable through morasses. The position has a frontage of 25 miles. The enemy, who are well entrenched, are firing occasionally, and all day their Long Tom is shelling".

What the British failed to realise was that there were seven commandos and the ZARPS (South African Republic Police) dug in all across that semi circle, with three Long Toms and the forth now in a railway truck. That was approximately 7,000 men and 20 guns. It would be a mammoth task to dislodge them.

British Troops Advance Under Long Tom Shell Fire

On the first day of the battle (21st August) Bullers right flank came under heavy fire which cause significant casualties for the British, falling back they tried again the next day. During the night the Boers had been reinforced, again the fight lasted all day with no ground being taken.

Coming up on the left flank from Middleburg infantry and cavalry pushed up onto Geluk Plateau and faced two commandos, the British were raked with artillery fire including two Long Toms, despite this they managed to win and hold the position. During that night four Naval guns were brought up onto the plateau, the next day they exchanged fire with the two Long Toms, one Long Tom shell landed among the Natal Field Force causing six casualties.

On the 26th the heavy guns were still duelling, one shot from a Naval gun managed to kill or wound a Long Tom crew, therefore silencing it. On the left cavalry under French surprised the Boers causing panic, many left, dragging a Long Tom with them, by the end of the day most of the high ground was in British hands.

The last effort in the battle of Bergendal was played out on the 27th, a salient was formed with ZARPs dug in, after a deluge of shells from the British guns the position was stormed and taken. Once again, as if by magic, the four Long Tom guns were gone.

Long Tom Pass.

The boers were in a fighting retreat towards Lydenburg, the British advance soon reached the town, but as soon as they did so two Long Toms positioned on the high ground near Spitzkop opened up on the town.

Buller wasted no time and immediately ascended the pass to silence the Creusots for good. The Boers repositioned the guns to a pass known as the Devil's Knuckles (now called Long Tom Pass), according to the Star, Monday 17th September 1900;

"The troops bivouacked last night under Mauchberg, the highest peak in these mountains, east of Lydenburg. The mounted infantry discovered twenty tons of foodstuffs hidden in a kloof.

Today the Gordon Highlanders advanced down the precipitous steeps of the Mauchberg. The enemy fired Long Tom from a height 7,000 yards away, in a direct line. When the Boers saw our infantry advancing they retreated. Strathcona's Horse thereupon galloped forward over the hill upon which Long Tom had been posted."

Goodbye Tom.

Boer commandos were eventually forced back to the Portuguese East Africa border (now Mozambique) at Komatipoort. From there rumours were heard about the demise of a Long Tom.

The Army and Navy Gazette posed an interesting question on the 22nd September 1900;

"Where are the Long Toms? The Long Toms that played such an important part during the earlier stages of this campaign? Utterly demoralised as he now is, the burgher is as clever at carrying off his heavy artillery as he was six months ago. 

That they are buried, with stores of ammunition and rifles, is more than likely, and while there whereabouts remains a mystery there can be no real peace in the Transvaal. One of the conditions of the return of the 15,000 Boers in our hands should be the production of the buried artillery."

On the 25th September proof of the destruction of one Long Tom was reported in the Globe;

"General Pole-Carew reports that they have found at Komatipoort one Long Tom 98 pound gun destroyed; and it is believed that another gun has also been destroyed there. Three hundred rifles were also found, as well as 30 boxes of small arms ammunition; 40 Long Tom shells, and 130 boxes of other shells."

A second Long Tom was destroyed lest the British take, it at the Letaba River on the 18th October. But this still left two in action.

Globe, Wednesday 13th February 1901;

"Boers attacked the British garrison at Lydenburg last week, sending a few shells from a Long Tom gun placed on a neighbouring height, accompanied by long range rifle fire. The attack was, however, not serious.

The enemy still have plenty of Long Tom ammunition. The British 4.7 gun, which they captured some time ago, is reported to be in a laager near Dullstroom, but they have no ammunition for it."

This Long Tom was "The Jew", the British finally caught up with it near Rietfontein, on the 16th April it fired a few rounds at the British positions, then the Boers blew it up, so it wouldn't fall into British hands.

British Soldiers with the Remains of The Jew.

The final Long Tom headed over to Pietersberg, when the British took the town on the 8th February 1901, the gun was taken to Feeskoppie and placed on a hillside. The British were never far behind and when Colonel Grenfell's men approached the crew of the Long Tom fired of a few rounds, then blew it up, the last roar of Long Tom was heard on the 29th April 1901.

Long Tom Pass.

The Bushveldt Carbineers 1901 - 1902.

The Bushveldt Carbineers 1901 - 1902.

The guerilla phase of the Anglo-Boer War was in full swing when the British high command had an idea to raising a corps of horsemen who could fight the war as the Boer did. This irregular unit was born in February 1901, The Manchester Courier of the 25th February said;

"Bushveldt Carbineers Ready,

Pretoria, Saturday. The locally formed corps of Bushveldt Rifles, which is to be called the Bushveldt Carbineers, has now been equipped, and is in camp. It will shortly take the field.

The corps includes 200 refugees from Pietersburg, and it's strength is expected to reach 500."

Major Lenehan, the Australian Commander of the new BVC.

The new corps were soon in action as this report from the Gloucestershire Echo states;

"Raid Near Pretoria,

March 20.

For some time past the Boers west of Pretoria have been quiet. Last night, however, a number swooped down on a farm and raided a few cattle. Twenty men of the Bushveldt Carbineers tracked them this morning to Scheerpoort, 15 miles to the west. 

The Boers allowed them to come within 400 yards and then opened fire, killing one man. The others got away."

One very important task done by the Imperial forces was convoy escort, whether it was an overland expedition with horses and oxen, or on a vulnerable armoured train. The supply lines had to be kept open, and the Boers were experts at disrupting them.

The Sydney Morning Herald, 30th May 1901.

"Plumer's Camp, Pietersburg, April 11.

As we moved northwards the 2nd Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders followed to garrison the places which the mounted men occupied. Part of this battalion came by trains, which they guarded; others guarded the ox-convoy following on with supplies.

Leaving Warmbad thus held by infantry we marched out of camp on Monday, April 2nd. We expected to be reinforced by the new Victorian contingent before leaving Warmbad, but the veterinary department condemned a great proportion of their horses, which had come straight from the ship, and they were not able to join.

However, the Bushveldt Carbineers, a small body composed almost entirely of English refugees from the Pietersburg district, arrived to scout for the armoured construction train.

The convoy travelled in the rear, different units being told off from time to time as baggage guard, and following on those was the supply column. We reached Nylstroum without incident on April 3rd. We were the advance guard for that day.

A guard was sent over to the Landdrost's office, and many rifles were soon given up or collected. Most of these were at once destroyed. After we had been in the town some sniping shots were fired at some of the troopers from a kopje. 

The 2nd South Australia Contingent, sitting front right is Corporal Harry Morant.

The Queenslanders went up to find the enemy, and after locating the spot from which a solitary marksman had been firing they poured a volley into it and an old burgher got up and lifted up his hands in token of surrender. He had made his protest at our entry, but he did not wish to go so far as to lose his life, and he was just in time to save it.

The Boers had blown up a great quantity of ammunition. When we saw and heard the explosion in the morning we thought it might be the railway; but although the railway was intact at this point, two attempts had been made further back to blow up our construction train. These attempts only partially succeeded.

Some of the empty trucks and a Red Cross car, which, fortunately, was also empty, were shattered, and a second attempt destroyed part of the front of the locomotive; but the Royal Engineers proved equal to all that was required in the matter, and the Bushveldt Carbineers dashing out discovering the convoy of the train wreckers. This they successfully attacked, and took waggons, oxen, and a good number of prisoners. 

And so the railway was now ours from Pretoria to Pietersburg. Trains are going to and fro, taking down prisoners and refugees and bringing up stores. Telegraph communication is complete, and railway staff officers officiate at each place."

Carrying on their report on this action The Sydney Morning Herald of the 5th June stated;

"Pietersburg, April 15.

In my last letter I mentioned that after the armoured construction train passed Potgiters Rust it was partially blown up twice, and on the second occasion the Bushveldt Carbineers dashed out and captured the convoy of train wreckers and 11 prisoners.

I have since learnt that these prisoners were required by Captain Fuller, R.E., who was in command of the train, to point out where the rest of the mines were laid. Their reply to this was the usual Dutch evasion, 'Ne ferstan', 'Don't understand.' 

A BVC Slouch Hat Badge.

But Captain Fuller thought they did understand, and he put them in the first truck following a couple of empty ones. Their journey must have been a very uncomfortable one. Soon it was interrupted by a terrific roar. 

A mine had exploded, and they were all hurled out of the side of the permanent way, with nerves shaken, although they had no broken bones. The broken trucks were now less of protection for them, and they were willing to go ahead and remove the mines, which no doubt they had helped to lay."

The make up of the BVC was quite diverse, mostly made up of British and expats living in South Africa, it also had a large Australian contingent (around two fifths), and also "joiners", Boers who now fought against their old comrades.

BVC Troopers with a dead or wounded Boer.

On the 30th May the irregulars pulled off a great victory, the St. James's Gazette of the 17th June takes up the story;

"News has reached here of successful work done by irregulars. Parties of Kitchener's Fighting Scouts and of Bushveldt Carbineers surprised a Boer laager on the banks of the Pienaars River on the 30th May.

The approach to the laager was sheltered by timber country, and the Carbineers made a detour. Kitchener's Scouts attacked the laager on three sides, and a stubborn fight ensued. After maintaining a steady fire the Boers lost heart and fled precipitately, leaving their dead and wounded on the field.

The whole of their waggons, 7,000 head of cattle, and 40 men were captured. The surprise party had no guns, and their success was entirely due to their rifle shooting. The Boers lost 27 killed and 86 wounded. Our casualties were 5 killed and 21 wounded. The enemy lost largely in mules and horses."

With widespread news of the ghastly concentration camps, and the policy of denying the Boers shelter and food by burning Boer friendly farms, the devastation of which could be seen all around, it is hardly surprising that revenge was on the cards. But, it must be remembered that the Boers were just as guilty of farm burning, many loyal farmers had their properties destroyed. In the Boer invasions of Cape Colony and Natal in October 1899 the looting, burning and wanton vandalism even sickened some of their Boer comrades.

The Sydney Morning Herald, 15th July 1901.

"Instead of indignation in regard to shooting by Boers of British wounded at Vlakfontein, Anglophobia has been aroused in the German press, which states that Great Britain is reaping what she has sown, and the Boers' action was in retaliation for farm burning."

The BVC on the veldt, Lieut. Morant is 3rd from the left.

There was something quite rotten at the core of the BVC, a ruthless streak by men with power such as Intelligence Officer Alfred Taylor who was not averse to shooting people out of hand, the locals referred to him as Bulala (killer), and officers who were willing to carry out orders to the letter, like Lieutenants Handcock, Morant, Witton and Picton.

In July Handcock and Taylor were responsible for the murder of six Boers who were coming in to surrender, they were waving white flags and were unarmed. One was a sickly old man, another a 12 year old boy. The oxen the Boers were herding were then taken to Taylor's farm in Rhodesia, around 30 miles away. A Boer "joiner" called Van Buuren had witnessed the murder of the six Boers, and had made his disquiet known. Taylor ordered Handcock to include him in a patrol and kill him, Handcock shot him three times when he was alone with him.

Ugly rumours were spreading about unconfirmed killings and sexual misconduct within the BVC. Captain Hunt claimed that after a visit to Kitchener's headquarters in Pretoria, he was told by Kitchener's secretary, Colonel Hamilton, that no Boer prisoners were to be taken, and he protested when patrols brought them in.

It would seem that many patrols either weren't told to kill prisoners, they chose to ignore the order, or the order never existed, but still many prisoners were being brought in safely.

Then something happened that was to change the BVC forever.

Daily Express, 19th August 1901.

"Bushveldt Carbineers Captain Killed.

The following casualty list was issued on Saturday night from the War Office.

Bushveldt Carbineers - Captain Percy Frederick Hunt, 148 Sergeant Frank Elands; killed, Darvels Kloof, Northern Transvaal, August 6th; A. Maderose, killed, Groenvlei, August 10th."

Handcock.  Morant.  Dr Johnson.  Hunt.  Taylor.  Picton.

Walthamstow and Leyton Guardian, 30th August 1901.

"Captain Percy F. Hunt, a nephew of Mrs Saulez, of Moulsham Vicarage, a promising young officer, who had just given up an excellent position as head of the police at Pretoria to join the Bushveldt Carbineers for the sake of being at the front, was killed in action on 5th August, at Daivel's Kloof, Northern Transvaal."

What actually happened to Captain Hunt would take on great significance, Hunt was planning to attack Field Cornet Viljoen's commando at his farmhouse, as he had been harrassing none Boer farmers.

Warned against attacking without any preliminary reconnaissance, Hunt decided to attack anyway. Hunt's troops were made up of Bushveldt Carbineers, a Boer defector called Tony Schiel who brought with him around 300 irregulars of the local Lobedu people.

The plan was to launch a two pronged attack against the farmhouse at night, the farmhouse had around 40 Boers in it. With one group going round the back, Captain Hunt led the attack to the front. The Boers knew the attack was coming and as soon as they saw movement, they opened fire.

Within a few moments all hell broke loose with bullets whizzing both ways, in the exchange Captain Hunt was shot in the chest, and Sergeant Elands was killed trying to reach him, the attackers also lost a few of the Lobedu warriors. In the farmhouse Field Cornet Viljoen, his brother J. J Viljoen, and G. Hartzenberg were also killed. Both sides then retreated and the dead were left where they had fallen.

When the troopers finally returned to the farmhouse they found Captain Hunt's body had been stripped, his neck was broken, hobnailed boots had stomped on his face, and his legs had been slashed with a knife.

The Grave of Captain Percy Hunt.

The death of Hunt haunted the officers of the BVC, they believed that the Boers had mutilated his corpse and stolen his uniform, stripping uniforms from prisoners, the wounded and the dead was a regular occurance, and as the war progressed many Boers were virtually indistinguishable from British soldiers. 

On the 11th August Intelligence had reached the BVC that the Boers were going to burn the farm of the Reverend Reuter for being pro British, Morant led a patrol out to track the Boers, first passing the now abandoned Viljoen farmhouse and picking up some Lobedu warriors to help in the hunt.

In the evening the Boers were spotted at camp, for some reason Morant ordered his men to fire while they were some way out, about 2000 yards, this gave the Boers time to make their escape, some say this was an act of cowardice on the part of Morant.

The Boers rode off but left behind a man called Floris Visser, Visser was captured and questioned about Boer movements and the death of Hunt, Morant told Visser that if he answered truthfully he would live, if he lied, he would be shot. A court martial was convened with Morant, Handcock and Picton, even though Visser had told them everything he knew the "court" found him guilty and he was shot by firing squad, Picton gave him the coup de grace.

This was followed on the 23rd August by the murder of eight Boer and Dutch prisoners, before they were shot a passing missionary recognised one of the men. The missionary was a German called Rev. Heese, within the week he too was found shot along the Pietersburg road, Boers were blamed, Handcock would later admit responsibility.

On the 5th September Lieut. Hannam ordered his troopers to open fire on a wagon train coming in to surrender. This was actually full of women and children, two boys aged 5 and 13 were killed and a 9 year old girl was wounded.

Soon after this murder on the 7th September another atrocity was committed, this time three Boers coming in under the white flag were met by Morant, Handcock and several other troopers, they were Rolf Van Staden and his two sons. They were disarmed and shot out of hand. 

Later, Morant was sent out to capture the Irish-Boer Field Cornet Kelly, Morant's patrol caught them completely by surprise and Kelly was captured and brought in unscathed, Morant was congratulated and he went on two weeks leave.

Meanwhile back at the BVC headquarters at Fort Edward, 15 members of the BVC signed a letter to the British Army Commander at Pietersburg, written by Trooper Cochrane, a former JP from Western Australia, it listed out the murders committed by their officers, it is a tough read. In six numbered paragraphs each killing is described. They explained that they felt they could not send the letter to their commanding officer Lenehan as they thought he might be complicit in the crimes. Arrests were made.

The men of the BVC were disgusted with their officers, Corporal Sharp stated "I would walk 100 miles barefoot to serve in a firing squad to shoot Morant and Handcock."

After the initial hearing the prisoners, Morant, Handcock, Witton and Picton, were clapped in irons and transported under heavy guard to Pretoria for trial. Picton was released without charge, but Morant, Handcock and Witton were found guilty of murder. Morant and Handcock were sentenced to death by firing squad and Witton was to be imprisoned for life.

Harry 'Breaker' Morant    Peter Handcock    George Witton   

The trial is still very controversial, many believe the outcome was a fete accompli, "scapegoats of Empire" as George Witton said. The night before they were executed Morant and Handcock wrote a confession letter to the Rev. Canon Fisher, it read;

"To the Rev. Canon Fisher, Pretoria.

The night before we're shot 

We shot the Boers who killed and mutilated our friend (the best mate I had on Earth).

Harry Harbord Morant         Peter Joseph Handcock.

The Confession.

Another confession of Morants was his engagement to Captain Hunt's sister, he became engaged on a trip back to England with Hunt, this was a lie, Hunt was signing official papers in Pretoria at the time Morant said they were back in Blighty. 

Major Thomas

Major Thomas did a sterling job in defending the accused, he was placed in an impossible position but he did his job to the best of his ability. A young colonial officer facing officers several times above him in rank, he put to them a version of events that he hoped would avoid the inevitable. This was not the first time Australians had come before a court martial and received a sentence of death.

Aberdeen Press and Journal, 2nd October 1901.

"Australian Soldiers Sentenced To Death.

The local newspapers have published letters from South Africa, stating that three members of the 5th Victorian Contingent had been sentenced to death, afterwards commuted to twelve years' penal servitude, for mutinous conduct towards General Beatson, who commanded at the time of the Wilmanseust disaster, and who is alleged to have called the Australians 'white livered curs,' the matter was raised in the House of Representatives today, and the Premier asked a question to be put tomorrow."

Witton     Thomas     Morant      Handcock

But what of this character Morant?

Born in 1864 in Bridgewater, Somerset, Harry Morant (actually Murrant) emigrated to Australia in 1883, he always maintained that he was not an Australian, when asked in 1923 his defending council Major Thomas stated "Morant was not an Australian, he was an Englishman, who came to this country for the 'colonial experience'."

He was, as the Australians call, a larrikin, he got into trouble with the law on several occasions, stealing and passing dud cheques. He lived a life of being just ahead of his creditors, always looking over his shoulder. Although married he left a string of broken hearts all down the east side of Australia.

He was a natural horseman, he could tame a wild horse and ride horses other people would not go near. Because of this "horse whispering" he gained the nickname "Breaker", using this name he wrote poetry for The Bulletin, and incredible prose it was. Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, one gentleman said "Those who knew him best will spurn any suggestion that he can possibly have been guilty of shooting anyone in cold blood, as his faults were those of a warm hearted man, not of the criminal."

The larrikin bushman was a very different man to the Bushveldt Carbineer Lieutenant, his last piece of poetry was written the night before his execution and published in The Bulletin on the 19th April 1902 under his pen name The Breaker, it was entitled;

"Butchered To Make A Dutchman's Holiday

In prison cell I sadly sit

A damned crestfallen chappie!

And own to you I feel a bit -

A little bit - unhappy!

It really ain't the place or time

To reel off rhyming diction -

But yet we'll write a final rhyme

Whilst waiting cru-ci-fixtion!

No matter what "end" they decide -

Quick-lime or "b'iling ile," Sir?

We'll do our best when crucified

To finish off in style, Sir!

But we bequeath a parting tip

For sound advice of such men,

Who come across in transport ship

To polish off the Dutchmen!

If you encounter any Boers

You mustn't really loot 'em!

And if you wish to leave these shores,

For pity's sake, DON'T SHOOT 'EM!

And if you earn a D.S.O.,

Why every British sinner

Should know the proper way to go

is: "ASK THE BOER TO DINNER!"

Let's toss a bumper down our throat, -

Before we pass to Heaven,

And toast: "The trim-set petticoat

We leave behind in Devon."

At its end the manuscript is described -

The Last Rhyme and Testament of Tony Lumpkin -"

At 5.00 am on the 27th February 1902 George Witton was allowed to say goodbye to his comrades, and at just past 6 o'clock the two men were led to the firing squad. While facing the men of the King's Own Cameron Highlanders, Morant and Handcock refused the blindfold, just before the final order was given Morant called out "Shoot straight, you bastards! Don't make a mess of it."

The grave of Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock.

George Witton was taken by train to Cape Town, then on to Great Britain where he was to serve out his sentence. He was taken to Lewes and then on to Portland, the war ended on the 31st May 1902, Witton would serve 28 months, being released on the 10th August 1904.

George Witton on his release.

After his release he went back to Australia, settling in Lancefield, Victoria. His anger at the trial was still boiling away, in 1907 he published his book "Scapegoats Of Empire", on release the book was criticised for telling half truths or just plain lying!

The debate rages on. 

The Bushveldt Carbineers did carry on, the vast majority of its personnel were not killers, but soldiers fighting a war in the best way they could, they played by the rules such as they are in battle. The regiment was retitled as the Pietersburg Light Horse, and they desperately tried to put those dark events behind them.

The court martial of Morant, Handcock and Witton has spawned many books and even a movie, their names will never be forgotten. For my own two shillings worth, I think the trial should have been done by the Australian Army, not the British, after all the Federation of Australia had occurred on the 1st January 1901, and as a self governing country they should have had the power to try their own soldiers. Maybe it could have ended differently, maybe not.