Battle of Diamond Hill
Diamond Hill, east of Pretoria, South Africa
What happened
British forces under Lord Roberts fought Boer commanders including Louis Botha and Koos de la Rey. After the British took Pretoria, the Boers held a line of hills about 29 km east of the city. On the first day mounted troops fought on both flanks without a result. On the second day infantry took Diamond Hill, and the Boers retreated north the next day.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The battle ended the Boer threat to Pretoria and to Roberts's eastern flank. The Boers turned more and more to guerrilla warfare.
What came next
Botha led the guerrilla campaign and signed the peace of Vereeniging in 1902. In 1910 he became the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa.
Did you know?
According to Ian Hamilton's memoirs, the war reporter Winston Churchill risked his life to signal that the summit was the key to victory.
Timeline
- 5 June 1900The British capture Pretoria.
- 11–12 June 1900Battle of Diamond Hill.
- 1902Treaty of Vereeniging.