”Come on lads, Charge!” Possibly frustrated by a day of long range sniping at an all but invisible enemy, Colonel Wilford led a company of his Glouster Regiment on what was to prove to be a suicidal charge against prepared Boer positions. A short time later, Wilford was dead and the Glousters have suffered heavily, losing their Maxim gun as well as a number of men, killed and wounded.The Battle of Rietfontein came about as a result of General White’s fear that Boers advancing in an easterly direction from the Orange Free State needed to be checked before they could pose a threat to Brigadier Yule’s column that had left Dundee two days earlier. The Boers, under Commandant Prinsloo, took up positions on a low range of hills overlooking the railway line from the west.
The fairly large British force could only approach the Boer line on the enemy right where they had placed their only artillery piece. This, together with steady and accurate rifle fire prevented the British from getting to within striking distance of the Boers. Despite this, they could and did succeed in their objective which was simply to block any possible Boer move to the east. In the light of this, Colonel Wilford’s charge did not make sense although he was possibly reacting to orders from a more senior officer.
At 15h00 White received news that Yule’s column was largely out of danger. The attack on the Rietfontein Hills was immediately called off and the force withdrew to Ladysmith.
Who won the battle? As with Talana, it is not an easy question to answer. Both sides claimed victory and it is perhaps best left at that. Less than a week later, the outcome of the next battle would be in no doubt at all.
Audio : Ron - "snapshots" on the Battle Of Rietfontein
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