Battles & Campaigns · 1900
Battle of Vaal Krantz
Vaal Krantz, near the Tugela River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
What happened
Buller tried to cross the Tugela River at a ridge of small hills called Vaal Krantz to relieve besieged Ladysmith. After three days, his position was too cramped to bring up his heavy guns. His council of war agreed to try somewhere else.
Why it matters
It was the third failed British attempt to relieve the Siege of Ladysmith, after Colenso and Spion Kop.
What came next
Buller's fourth attempt, the Battle of the Tugela Heights from 14 February, finally relieved Ladysmith.
Did you know?
Vaal Krantz is a few miles east of Spion Kop.
Timeline
- 15 Dec 1899Battle of Colenso.
- 23–24 Jan 1900Battle of Spion Kop.
- 5–7 Feb 1900Battle of Vaal Krantz.
- 14 Feb 1900Battle of the Tugela Heights begins.
- 28 Feb 1900Relief of Ladysmith.