TOPIC:

A town in the OFS, 50 miles north west of Ladysmith, which provided a commando for the OFS forces.



By August 1900, the town was in British hands and was subsequently used by Lt Gen Rundle as the basis of his operations.

‘A blockhouse recently erected near Harrismith

A new and excellent system of blockhouses has been inaugurated for the protection of the railway lines in South Africa. Some are constructed of solid stone, rendering capture almost impossible, but most consist of wooden frames supporting galvanised iron sheets four inches apart filled with gravel. These are able to stop either Mauser or pom-pom bullets. The new mode of defence is very economical, releasing for active operations over six thousand men. Our photograph us by a British officer.’

The Graphic 8 June 1901