TOPIC:

Map of the Brickfields

Source: Baden-Powell of Mafeking by J S Fletcher

Topographical sketch showing the British and Boer Positions

The officer in Mafeking who sent this sketch gives the following summary, up to November 15, of the siege which has been so gallantly withstood, under the skilful direction of Colonel Baden-Powell: The siege began on October 13 when a small force of British Irregulars, police and townspeople took up the defence under Imperial officers. The town and native town contained about 7,500 native inhabitants and 1,000 whites. The enemy's force consisted of around 8,000 men with 9 guns which surrounded and bombarded the place. The garrison made several vigorous counter-strikes by which they discouraged the enemy from pushing home any attacks. The British losses up to November 15 have been 2 officers and 17 men killed, 4 officers, 32 men, 2 women and one child wounded. The enemy's losses have been over 100 killed and 370 wounded.

The accompanying sketch map explains the relative positions of the forces. The flags shown are red Cross flags which have been persistently fired upon by Boer guns. The convent, in particular, is now a wreck. The crossed swords show scenes of engagements up to the date names - in each of which the garrison came off victorious.



Source: The Graphic, 3 February 1900

The women's laager in Mafeking

The Boers persisted in shelling the part of the town in which the women's laager was situated, in spite of the Red Cross flag that floated over it. A trench round the laager was used for the women and children to shelter in when the Boers fired on this quarter of the town. Our phot is by the Rev W H Weekes, Rector of Mafeking.



The Graphic, 16 June 1900

Images from J Angus Hamilton's book:

The Colonel at work



Major Lord Edward Cecil



Outposts and entrenchments, southern front



Headquarters



Cannon kopje

Images from J Angus Hamilton's book:

Major Godley on the look-out



Effects of shell fire; before and after





Boers inspecting British killed



The Colonel on the look-out



War correspondents and their bomb-proof shelters

Images from J Angus Hamilton's book:

Plan of the brickfields



Cape boys hurling stones at the Boers



Killing horses for the garrison



The British South African Police fort



"Mafeking," the author's dog



Plan of Mafeking