The Battle of Stormberg South Africa 1899 Boer War

The Battle of Stormberg 1899, was one of 3 disastrous British defeats in the same week during the Boer War 1899-1902.
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Nearly 3,000 British troops were killed, wounded or captured during a 5 day period which the press named "Black Week."
This video is part of a series that I am compiling about the Anglo Boer War.
Here are some others:
A Summary of the Boer War
• Boer War, South Africa...
The Jameson Raid 1895
• The Jameson Raid, Sou...
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The British defeat at Stormberg was as much of their making as it was a Boer victory.
A lack of accurate maps or intelligence along with little experience of night time manoeuvres lead to the British getting hopelessly lost.
The brave attempts by the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Rifles to storm the mountain held by the Boers ended up in them being shelled by their own artillery.
All the while, accurate Boer rifle fire was taking its toll. Over 100 of the British force of 3,000 were killed before the order to retreat was issued.
Even at that stage, the chaos continued with many of the British troops on the mountain failing to receive the order. They were left on the hillside, as the British retreated.
Finding themselves 8 miles from safety, with Boers surrounding them and with water supplies diminishing in the African sun, they surrendered.
The British defeat at Stormberg cost them over 100 killed and wounded and nearly 600 taken prisoner.
it was the first of three costly and embarrassing defeats that the British were to suffer in "Black Week".
The British commander, General Gatacre, had been a rising star in the army but within months found himself back in England and within 5 years his career was over.
Chapters
0:00 Boer War
3:48 Redvers Buller
6:20 General Gatacre
8:30 Battle of Stormberg
10:55 Black Week
12:18 The History Chap
#battleofstormberg #blackweekboerwar #thebattleofstormberg1899
#militaryhistory #boerwar #historyofsouthafrica
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/ thehistorychap
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 KZbin 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.

[@87tinman]

thank you for these boer war videos , As a south african I can say they do not teach you this in school

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you are enjoying. Thanks for watching.

[@shaunspies1108]

We used to be taught, prior to 94.

[@foolsgold9993]

"No plan survives contact with the enemy" Thank you for the lesson.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Absolutely. Interesting how some military leaders can turn it to their advantage and how others fall from grace.

[@JamesThomas-gg6il]

I remember the battle, mostly because of the friendly fire incident of taking down all of the senior officers. I enjoy your enthusiasm in your presentation. Thanks chap for another great video.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks, James. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Look out for my next video (please subscribe to my channel).

[@briandubois-gilbert8182]

As a history buff, I thoroughly enjoy and follow your channel’s content. May I suggest this for your future coverage: the Indian Rebellion of 1857 aka the Sepoy Mutiny. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks for your kind words. Planning to do Indian/Sepoy mutiny this year.

[@theodoresmith5272]

He is very very good. He is very even and fair in his dialogue. He sets the story clearly before giving us the main part. I like his choices of subjects to cover.

[@the5thmusketeer215]

@@theodoresmith5272 Aye, unequivocally seconded. 🤝

[@reggafoor7339]

Your writing about the Boar forses⁹ĺ

[@73HE]

It wasn't a sepoy mutiny or even 1st war of independence but a Jihad next year same time Google for a book coming out 1857 1st War or Jihad

[@edwardvillate2112]

I've lived in SOUTH AFRICA, in the 70's and the AFRIKANER are still formidable SOLDIER'S, when you have a POPULATION that starts HUNTING & using weapons since childhood, there fantastic marksman by the time there adults,.....

[@TheHistoryChap]

Indeed. I lived there too.

[@petermaas4455]

I never knew anything about the Boer Wars. It’s really interesting. Mainly because of your kind of telling the story

[@TheHistoryChap]

Peter, thank you for your kind comment. Next video will be from that war - the Battle of Spion Kop. When the British manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!

[@jeffsmith2022]

I am beginning to believe that there were no British commanders involved in the Boer War who had the slightest idea of what they were doing...

[@mjxw]

They entire British military had spent the previous 50 years fighting inferior opponents equipped with (often vastly) inferior weaponry. Even in Crimea, fifty years before, they'd had a relatively large technological advantage. It's not too surprising that they weren't able to adapt instantly their tactics to the new challenges.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Agreed. And don't forget that their previous tactics had served them well so I guess there was a level of both complacency and inability to think out of the box.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Rather like mjxw has commented, their biggest problem was that they weren't used to fighting European enemies using the latest weapons and totally different tactics to, say, the Sudanese army the year before.

[@shaunspies1108]

It is because of this war, and very slow lessons learned by the later 4 major wars, it was learned the area / terrain knowledge is key. Why? Because the residents know how to navigate their home turf, and use their terrain to their advantage. This is why most modern Army's train on foreign soil, to gain some of that experience, and hopefully garner some of the local tactics. The French Foreign Legion most probably best exploits this type of training across the globe.

[@fredazcarate4818]

Thank you Sir for the brilliant mini documentary. Kudos!

[@TheHistoryChap]

More to come about "Black Week".

[@fredazcarate4818]

@@TheHistoryChap Thank you Sir! I am looking forward to seeing what you have in store for Black Week. 👍

[@Dav1Gv]

As usual an excellent presentation. My main interest is WW1 and the ACW so I would find any videos about them interesting.

[@TheHistoryChap]

World War 1 definitely on the cards. Please subscribe to my channel so that you don't miss them.

[@cameronbrown9080]

Great video today thanks for what you do it's much appreciated and enjoyed

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for your kind words. I enjoy doing them too!

[@davidjacksonjackson3212]

Another very good enjoyable history lesson, it is a shame that the incompetent officer class was carried on into the first world war.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks David, I'm glad that you enjoyed. The Boer War did highlight a lot of shortcomings in the British army. A culture of complacency had built up due to fighting "native" armies who tended to bunch together and charge. The Boers fought completely differently and it took a while for the British to catch on.

[@nathanappleby5342]

Some British officers who fought in the Boer War, like Sir Douglas Haig, Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien and others would go on to fight in the First World War with competence, even if it was at a high cost. one of the incompetent officers to be carried into the First World War was Sir John French, commander of the BEF, who in the Boer War, commanded the Cavalry Division. He was good with horses, but bad with armies.

[@davidmcintyre998]

Its a British tradition to badmouth our officer class but in truth the armed forces have always been able to learn and adapt what Black Week really shows is just how good the Boers really were, we were not fighting a second eleven.

[@welshwarrior5263]

Well told and kept interested at all times. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed. Plenty more coming your way.

[@Kickinthearse923]

Addictive presentations - thank you Sir!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for your support.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Brilliant, I really enjoyed the video, cheers

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you. Check out my latest one from "Black Week" - the British defeat at Colenso kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX2cdomLgbdomMk

[@robg5958]

Thanks once again Chris for another excellent and insightful presentation. The Boer War is fascinating and sadly, I feel, under represented on history channels. Keep up the good work!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you, Rob. Plenty more to come (the story from Colenso almost makes Stormberg look well organised!)

[@stigg333]

great history lesson, it would seem that the quote "lions led by donkeys" fit the bill here as well?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Unfortunately so....wait until I tell the stories about the other battles in Black Week. Colenso will make your mind boggle!

[@waukivorycopse2402]

It's rollicking good stuff, H.C. Keep it up, old bean.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Will do. Thanks for watching.

[@ljchampion7952]

Fantastic stuff

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@jlemaire9418]

Bro, did you do this video on a Dutch Angle for literal historic effect? That's wicked cheeky. 100A+

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@lokischildren7862]

Any plans to do a video on the Boxer rebellion

[@TheHistoryChap]

YesI have but probably towards back end of this year. Please subscribe so you don't miss it when I release.

[@jessebartlett2325]

Good afternoon, I was wandering if you had watched the short video by the Redcoat military history on who captured the first French eagle during peninsular war? It does have some links to the Boer war.

[@simonkevnorris]

That sounded like a real shitshow. Having to climb up that steep hill and be fired on by you own artillery.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Not the last time. Always reminds me of Operation Tiger at Slapton Sands in 1944.

[@rupertmcnaughtdavis3649]

Will be in the Stormberg area this week.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Enjoy.

[@josh656]

Boers: We’ve found a ton of gold. England: Helloooooo neighbor

[@TheHistoryChap]

Ha ha

[@harryshriver6223]

A shame such a colorful, beloved and well-meaning man such as Buller met with such a tragic fate as tomorrow the rest of his days . He should be remembered for the totality of his career not one minor engagement, one has to remember that the Boers are nothing to be tangled with, they were very well-armed and knew the terrain like the back of their hands much to the dismay of the British. I think you did both sides justicia, carnale, me encanta.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Whilst the totality of someone’s career should be the way that we remember them and judge them, it’s normally either the one Highpoint or one low point that makes the difference

[@shaunspies1108]

Very good series, thank you. May I point out, Afrikaans is made up of 3 main languages: - Dutch: Settlers - German: Prussian / German mercenary's - French: Hugenotes Thus we use the German adjective " Die " = the The chair Die stoel - Afrikaans De stoel - Dutch Just 1 example. Our sentence construction also differs to that of Dutch, sometime almost English, to the word count.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for sharing. My Afrikaans lessons were a long, long time ago.

[@roysimmons3549]

Amazing how the British never win a battle but never lose a war.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very interesting observation. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidedbrooke9324]

Appalling tactics and well deserved defeats, but revenged later. Happens when you refuse to learn how tactics change in warfare. The Spartans, French, in fact everyone used to winning don’t change.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Agreed, David. Check out my latest video about the next debacle in Black Week:kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaXcfpVua8hoaM0

[@itsnotalwaysblackandwhite8624]

After watching a number of these videos, have to ask the question “Did the British win any battles at all❓”.

[@TheHistoryChap]

In fairness, the British have their fair share of victories although they took a while to come in the Boer War.

[@wouterkraay6996]

In my hometown IJmuiden was always a big support for the boers in that days and some boer generals where welcomed as big hero s nowerdays the dutch and British are good friends so useless war then.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I always think that war is a waste of life when I visit military cemeteries.

[@ottomeyer6928]

if the boors were so anti English why did they fight Germany in both world wars?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Some of them sided with the Germans.

[@davidmcintyre998]

It does seem unlikely also how Jan Smuts had a lot of clout and respect in Britain if i was you i would look up the peace treaty that ended the war, its a lifetime study but two good pointers to this aspect of human nature are the Romans who could be devastatingly ruthless but did not impose their Gods on the conquered but would ask who do you worship and when told would ask can we build a temple and worship your God,a clever move, the Nazis after driving the Soviets out of the Baltic States did not fly the respective flags of these States alongside the Swastika nor did they tell the Soviet people they had come to liberate fellow Europeans from the Communist yoke but made it clear by their actions they were intent on genocide, not a clever way of winning people over.