Battle of Talana Hill
Talana Hill, Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
What happened
A British brigade under Sir William Symons fought Boer forces under Lucas Meyer and 'Maroela' Erasmus. Before dawn the Boers took the hills above the coal-mining town of Dundee. The British attacked Talana Hill head-on and reached the top after hard fighting, and the Boers withdrew. Symons was mortally wounded during the attack.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The first shots of the Second Boer War were fired here. British troops are said to have worn khaki uniforms in battle for the first time here.
What came next
The British could not hold Dundee and marched 103 km in four days to reinforce the garrison at Ladysmith. Boer forces held Dundee for seven months.
Did you know?
Mahatma Gandhi was later tried in the Dundee courthouse for civil disobedience.
Timeline
- 1882The town of Dundee is laid out.
- 20 October 1899Battle of Talana Hill.
- October 1899The British fall back to Ladysmith.
- May 1900Dundee is relieved.