Battle of Magersfontein

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The Battle of Magersfontein was a major engagement of the Second Boer War in December 1899, where Boer forces decisively repelled a British advance toward Kimberley.


Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf battle
military engagement
alsoKnownAs Slag van Magersfontein
artilleryUsedBy British Army
belligerent British Empire
Orange Free State
South African Republic
United Kingdom
campaign Kimberley relief expedition
casualties heavy British casualties
light Boer casualties
commander Koos de la Rey
Lord Methuen
Piet Cronjé
conflict Second Boer War
country South Africa
date 1899-12-11
endDate 1899-12-12
followedBy Battle of Paardeberg
geographicalFeature Magersfontein kopje
historicalPeriod late 19th century
location Northern Cape, South Africa
near Magersfontein, Cape Colony
notableConsequence enhanced reputation of Boer commanders Koos de la Rey and Piet Cronjé
lowered British morale during Black Week
notableUnit Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Black Watch
Highland Brigade
Seaforth Highlanders
objective Relief of Kimberley
partOf Black Week
precededBy Battle of Belmont
Battle of Graspan
Battle of Modder River
primaryOpposingForce British infantry and artillery
primaryWeaponry Mauser rifles used by Boer forces
result Boer victory
British advance on Kimberley repelled
significance contributed to British reassessment of tactics in Second Boer War
demonstrated effectiveness of Boer trench tactics
startDate 1899-12-11
strategicGoalOfBoers defend approach to Kimberley
strategicGoalOfBritish break Boer defensive line south of Kimberley
tacticalFeature Boer trenches dug at foot of Magersfontein kopje
British night march and dawn attack
tacticalOutcome British assault failed to dislodge Boer positions
British infantry caught in close-range rifle fire
theatre South African theatre of the Second Boer War


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