Siege of Ladysmith

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The siege of Ladysmith was a protracted engagement in the Second Boer War, taking place between 2 November 1899 and 28 February 1900 at Ladysmith, Natal. After the outbreak of war in October, Boer forces invaded neighbouring British colonies and rapidly surrounded the border towns of Ladysmith, Kimberly and Mafeking. At Ladysmith the Boer besiegers bombarded the town and fought inconclusive skirmishes with the garrison whilst attempting to halt British relief forces under General Sir Redvers Buller on the Tugela River. After a failed attempt to cross the Tugela during Black Week, the British broke through on 27 February and Ladysmith was relieved the following day, after a siege of 118 days.

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