The camp of the 3rd King's Royal Rifles on the evening of February 4.
Plan of attack on Vaal Krantz.
Lie of the Land.
[Feb. 4-5, 1900.
The serious attack, however, was to be made from near Potgieter's Drift. Between Spion Kop, to the west of the drift, and Doorn Kloof, a yet higher summit which rose from the Tugela to the east, ran a comparatively low ridge, fronting Spearman's Hill and Zwart Kop. The left and western end of the ridge, known as Brakfontein, commanded the broad tongue of land which ran up from Potgieter's Drift in the direction of Ladysmith. It was strongly defended by four lines of Boer trenches, so constructed as to give complete cover against the British fire. Though demonstrations had been made against it during the week of battles, it had been found too strong for serious attack. But the right and eastern end of the ridge, known as Vaal Krantz, and rising just above the curve of the easternmost of the two inverted ⋃'s which the Tugela hereabouts describes, was not so strong. It was a bare, rocky, razor-backed ridge with comparatively flat ground to the east, over which ran a road to Ladysmith. Still further to the east rose Doorn Kloof, as it was somewhat incorrectly called, Doorn Kop being the real name, the highest mountain on the Tugela line and also the most irregular in outline—a picturesque tangle of peaks and watercourses and wooded valleys, affording the best of shelter to the Boers. Against Vaal Krantz General Buller determined to make his real effort; while once more demonstrating in the direction of Brakfontein. On February 4, instructions were issued to the leading officers. The Brigade to which General Wynne had just been appointed was to make the demonstration against Brakfontein, supported by General Coke's Brigade, by thirty-six field guns, the howitzers, and the position guns. The artillery was gradually to withdraw during the demonstration, and to come into action against Vaal Krantz. General Clery's Division, composed of the Second Brigade under General Hildyard and the Fifth Brigade under General Hart, with the Fourth Brigade under General Lyttelton temporarily attached, was to take position halfway up the eastern inverted ⋃, as if it intended to join in the attack on Brakfontein, but instead of doing so was at the appointed moment to build a new bridge over the Tugela and advance against Vaal Krantz. General Lyttelton was to storm this position after a thorough artillery preparation, when the guns were to follow him and take post on Vaal Krantz ridge, while the First Cavalry Brigade under General Burn Murdoch, composed of the 1st Dragoons, 13th and 14th Hussars, and A Battery of Horse Artillery, was to press up the road which ran under the Vaal Krantz ridge towards Ladysmith, breaking in upon the Boer rear. Lord Dundonald with the rest of the mounted men was to guard the British right from any counter-attack. Such was the plan, and it offered good promise of success. Now for the execution.
IN CAMP: GETTING DINNER READY.
OFFICERS' MESS: PREPARATIONS FOR BREAKFAST.
Another crossing of the Tugela.