1900 1901 1902 The Battle of Elandslaagte (21 October 1899) took place during the Second Boer War, and was one of the few clear-cut tactical victories won by the British during the conflict.

De Kock's forces consisted mainly of men of the Johannesburg Commando with detachments of German, French, Dutch, American, and Irish Boer foreign volunteers.

Arriving shortly after dawn on 21 October, French found the Boers present in strength, with two field guns.

In the poor visibility and pouring rain, the British infantry had to face a barbed wire farm fence, in which several men were entangled and shot.

[4] Sir George White rode out from Ladysmith to observe the action, but left French in command as to not interrupt on his autonomy.

[5] Some small parties of Boers were already showing white flags when General Kock led a counterattack, dressed in his top hat and Sunday best.

[6] He drove back the British infantry in confusion, but they rallied, inspired by Hamilton (and reportedly, a bugler of the Manchesters and a Pipe Major of the Gordons) and charged again.

As the remaining Boers mounted their ponies and tried to retreat, two squadrons of British cavalry (from the 5th Lancers and the 5th Dragoon Guards) got among them with lances and sabres, cutting down many.

During the battle the Hollanderkorps suffered 9 fatalities, including Herman Coster, along with fellow officer Cars Geerts de Jonge and seven soldiers: P.J.