First Boer War
Boer Warriors target British colonial troops in an anbush
The First Boer War (Afrikaans: Eerste Vryheidsoorlog, literally “First Freedom War”), also known as the First Anglo-Boer War or the Transvaal War, was a war fought from 16 December 1880 until 23 March 1881 between the United Kingdom and the South African Republic (also known as Transvaal Republic; not to be confused with the modern-day Republic of South Africa).
Armed Boer Warriors (Afrikaner fighters) during the First Boer war
Boer soldier during the First Boer War
Battle of Majuba Hill
The Battle of Majuba Hill (near Volksrust, South Africa) on 27 February 1881 was the main and decisive battle of the First Boer War. It was a resounding victory for the Boers and the battle is considered to have been one of the most humiliating defeats of British arms in history.[1] Major-General Sir George Pomeroy Colley occupied the summit of the hill on the night of 26–27 February 1881. His motive for occupying the hill remains unclear. The Boers believed that he may have been attempting to outflank their positions at Laing’s Nek. The hill was not considered scale-able by the Boers for military purposes and thus it may have been Colley’s attempt to emphasize British power and strike fear into the Boer camp.