De Wet attempted, unsuccessfully, to crush a British and Cape Colonial force but 16 days of fighting produced no decision and de Wet withdrew in the face of a large relief force.

5 km from Wepener, Orange Free State (South Africa). (South Africa)

Christiaan de Wet surrounds and attacks a British force under Col. Dalgety. This is something of a 'grudge match', because the British force consists largely of Cape colonial units including Cape Afrikaners, whom the Boers consider as having no business taking up arms against their Republican 'brethren'. This may explain why De Wet expended so much time and fruitless effort in trying to take the position. After 16 days and many unsuccessful attacks, De Wet is forced to withdraw in the face of a much larger British relief force.

This fruitless siege distracted De Wet from the main purpose of his offensive - to cut off the British supply lines leading to Roberts's main force in Bloemfontein. This enabled Roberts to eventually resume his offensive and move on Pretoria, capital of the ZAR.

Reference: 'The Anglo-Boer War: a chronology' by P.G. Cloete.

[Entry provided by Chris Smith of the Heilbron Commando - see Links]

Boer Republican forces

Number engaged :

6,000

Casualties :

36 (0.60%)

British colonial forces

Number engaged :

1,895

Casualties :

178 (9.39%)