What Happened At The Battle of Colenso 1899? - Boer War

The Battle of Colenso was the third and final battle of the Black Week fought during the Boer War, South Africa 1899.

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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In just one hour the proud British Army was humbled by the Boers losing over 1100 men killed, wounded and captured.
Even worse, from a military honour perspective, was that the Boers were able to capture 10 British field guns.

Chapters
0:00 The Boer War
2:53 Battle of Colenso
5:32 Loss of the Guns
8:19 The Irish Brigade
9:50 Hildyard’s Advance
11:13 Saving the Guns
14:10 British Defeat
16:30 Victoria Crosses
19:20 The History Chap

Once more poor planning, poor reconnaissance, and uninspiring leadership had humbled Queen Victoria’s army at the battle of Colenso.

7 Victoria Crosses were awarded to men who had tried to save the British guns from capture.

Related Videos:

The Boer War (Summary)

The Battle of Stormberg

The Battle of Magersfontein

#thebattleofcolenso #battleofcolenso #boerwar

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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[DavGv]

"We have had an Imperial lesson./It may make us an Empire yet." Rudyard Kipling - The Lesson. Fascinating videos about Black Week, thank you. Tragically, what were seen as heavy losses in 1900 would become 'normal wastage' in WW1.

[SNP-]

My grandfather was awarded the Military Medal for saving a bogged down cannon from no- man's land under heavy enemy fire near Ypres in 1915 during WW1. He was a Sergeant in the Royal Horse Artillery from 1914 - 1919.
RIP Dearest Grandad. ❤

[andreww]

I was an Australian RAR reservist for 20 years, served with 2/3 Field Regiment, 105mm Howitzers, (Tobruk defence honour berfore my time), During my training I couldn't sit or lean on the wheels of the guns to rest, it was tantamount to sitting on the colours, I'm not surprised at the fervour in this story to save the guns at all costs!

[AndrewTheMandrew]

Greetings from across the pond. It’s interesting to hear and read about a war we don’t get taught about in school here in America. Thank you for all you do on British history, and thank you for putting videos out, I truly appreciate it.

[gerhard]

Very interesting. I am from the Netherlands and i was born and lived inthe Colensostraat here in the Netherlands. The neighborhood is called Transvaalbuurt and buurt means neighborhood. The whole neighborhood was built between 1901 and about 1905. All the streetnames refer to the Boerwar (boer means farmer in Dutch. Oe is pronounced like the o in "do" and the ou in "you"). We have Paul Krugerkade, Paul Krugerstraat, Pretoriaplein ( plein means square), Tugelastraat, Generaal Cronjéstraat ( longest shopping street in the Netherlands), Generaal Joubertstraat, Generaal Bothastraat, Generaal de la Reijstraat, Generaal de Wetstraat, President Steijnstraat, Paul Krugerpark is since the 80s called Nelson Mandela park: there was much resistance from us in the neighborhood to rename all streets and we won from the city council.

[simonnoble]

Thank you very much, i love hearing these history stories ... Cheers Simon 🤩

[andrewsteele]

Thank you, I have really enjoyed the series, and so much so that I have forgotten to comment, cheers

[foolsgold]

I didn't think it was possible, but these videos are getting better and better, Thank you.

[patrickbarrett]

A stunning retelling of the action to retrieve the guns. Exceptionally well done. Thank you. 👏🏻

[WillDove-mg]

Just subscribed! A very well researched and presented channel! Zulu was my favorite movie growing up, so all this fascinated me!

[edthilenius]

I tried an experiment. I'm a big fan of yours, and I am enthralled by your narration of the Battle of Colenso. However, on my 3rd viewing of this story, I put down the tablet viewer, and set it to where I could only listen to it. With a glass of good scotch whiskey, I started from the beginning. It's absolutely amazing to use a different way of receiving the news of this battle. Again, no visuals, only audio recording. One's mind begins to take on the geography of the Tugela basin and river. Next the units with their positions began to find their places in my mind as the story grows. I could almost hear the little boy's bugle sounding the advance. I could almost hear the "crack" of a Mauser bullet whizzing by. Please give the History Chap another perspective on this story and just use your imagination as he weaves his historical tale. "Three huzzahs and a tiger!"

[thomasfennell]

Excellent presentation History Chap! Thank you for posting the battle of Colenso. Your skillful presentation gives a first person witness to the battle, which gives a clear understanding of how the battle unfolded. Thoroughly enjoyable l am certainly looking forward to more videos.

[raymondrichards]

A truly delightful video. Full of accurate information and highly entertaining. Probably a descendant of Bullow of Colenso was Major Donald Bullough who was a Chief Officer of the Essex Ambulance Service in the 1980s.

[Ed-wqgl]

Golly this is a good video! well done chap!

[fredazcarate]

Brilliant work once again Sir. Your description of the Battle Of Colenso was ribbiting. Kudos Sir!

[iamnotarobot]

Yet another superbly presented clip.
I'm really enjoying this Boer War series Chris and eagerly await and savour each new episode.
Bravo.

[yavapai]

Just found your channel and can’t get enough. Very well done videos with in depth detail. Thank you for your efforts.

[jonathanmawdesley-thomas]

Another superb presentation, thank you Chris .

[reynardthefox]

Truly Black Week
But the men were such inspiring heroes, who in spite of bad situations and poor commands, gave their all for their comrades and their honour . Cheers

[jimmyrafferty]

My Grand Da was there in the Connaught Rangers.