Battle of Zand River

Battle of Zand River
Part of the Advance on Pretoria
British troops crossing the Zand River
Date 10 May 1900 Location Sand River, South Africa
Belligerents
United Kingdom  Canada	South African Republic  Orange Free State
Commanders and leaders
Frederick Roberts John French Ian Hamilton Reginald Pole-Carew Charles Tucker	Louis Botha
Strength
11,000	~800 Boers
Casualties and losses
250 officers and men

The Battle of Zand River was an engagement between the British forces under Lord Roberts faced a Boer defensive position, led by Louis Botha.^[1]

By 6 May, the British had advanced north from Bloemfontein, and began their advance on Transvaal. About 130km north of Bloemfontein, they came across a Boer defensive position at Sand (or Zand) River.^[2] The Boers had blown up the railway bridge, forcing the British to ford the Sand River. ^[3] The Boers had overextended their defense line, going at about 20 miles.

On the morning of May 10th, the British began the engagement, and prepared to cross the Sand River. General French began moving his cavalry onto the left flank, and engaged the Boers. His cavalry pushed northwards, and was considerably closer to Ventersburg Siding than before. General Broadwood led his cavalry up the center right along the railway, and engaged the Boer rear. He had made it much closer to Ventersburg than French. The infantry began crossing in the center, with Lord Roberts advancing center left, and Ian Hamilton advancing center right. ^[4]

The Seventh Division crossed the river, and the Boers opened fire as they did so. Once the Seventh Crossed, the Sussex regiment stormed an important kopje with minimal casualties.^[5] British Infantry and artillery pounded the ridges, and by noon, they had taken the ridges. Cavalry then attempted to head towards Ventersburg Siding, however they ran across a strong Boer rear position, and was repulsed even after French's reinforcements arrived.^[4] The Boers then attempted a counter-attack from the rear right flank, however mounted infantry repulsed them. By evening, the Boers had retreated northwards, and the British continued their advance on May 11.

^[6][5]

• 
  Full map of the crossing and battle
• 
  Ian Hamilton and General Broadwood's operations at Zand River