Atlas of Battles

battle, notable, nineteenth century

Battle of Talana Hill

Battle of Talana Hill was a battle fought on 20 October 1899 at Dundee, in what is now South Africa. It was part of Second Boer War, which ran from 1899 to 1902. The recorded result: British tactical victory. Recorded strength: 4,000; 18 field guns; 1 machine gun against 3,000; 3 field guns; 2 pom pom guns.

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Map showing positions at the Battle of Glencoe (Battle of Talana Hill) 20 October 1899.
Map showing positions at the Battle of Glencoe (Battle of Talana Hill) 20 October 1899.. Louis Creswicke. Published by T. C. & E. C. JACK EDINBURGH, 1900., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Fought20 October 1899
WhereDundee, South Africa28.164S, 30.268E
OutcomeBritish tactical victory
BelligerentsUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandagainstSouth African Republic
Casualties and losses41 killed; 185 wounded; 220 captured or missingand23 killed; 66 wounded; 20 missing
Part ofSecond Boer War1899 to 1902

Where it sits in Second Boer War

Battle of Doornkop, 1896Siege of Mafeking, 1899Battle of Kraaipan, 1899Siege of Kimberley, 1899Battle of Talana Hill, 1899Battle of Elandslaagte, 1899Relief of Ladysmith, 1899Battle of Ladysmith, 1899Siege of Ladysmith, 1899Battle of Belmont, 1899Battle of Graspan, 1899Battle of Modder River, 1899Battle of Stormberg, 1899Battle of Magersfontein, 1899Battle of Colenso, 1899Battle of Spion Kop, 1900Battle of Vaal Krantz, 1900Battle of the Tugela Heights, 1900Battle of Paardeberg, 1900Bloody Sunday, 1900Battle of Poplar Grove, 1900Battle of Driefontein, 1900Battle of Sanna's Post, 1900Battle of Boshof, 1900Battle of Laing's Nek (1900), 1900Battle of Diamond Hill, 1900Battle of Dwarsvlei, 1900Battle of Silkaatsnek, 1900Battle of Witpoort, 1900Battle of Elands River, 1900Battle of Bergendal, 1900Battle of Bothaville, 1900Battle of Leliefontein, 1900Battle of Nooitgedacht, 1900Battle of Vlakfontein, 1901Battle of Groenkloof, 1901Battle of Blood River Poort, 1901Battle of Elands River, 1901Battle of Bakenlaagte, 1901Battle of Groenkop, 1901Battle of Tweebosch, 1902Battle of Rooiwal, 190218961902Battle of Talana Hill, 1899
42 placed engagements of Second Boer War in time order; taller ticks are more widely documented. Each tick is a link.

Record

Date20 October 1899
PlaceDundee, South Africa
28.164S, 30.268E
KindBattle, nineteenth century
Strength4,000; 18 field guns; 1 machine gun3,000; 3 field guns; 2 pom pom guns
Casualties and losses41 killed; 185 wounded; 220 captured or missing23 killed; 66 wounded; 20 missing
Commanders
  • Penn Symons
  • Lucas Johannes Meyer
  • Daniel Jacobus Elardus Erasmus
Battle of Talana HillBattle of Talana HillBattle of Blood RiverBattle of Rorke's DriftBattle of ElandslaagteBattle of IsandlwanaBattle of Blood River PoortBattle of Blood RiverBattle of ElandslaagteBattle of IsandlwanaBattle of Blood River PoortVryheidLadysmithVolksrustGolelaUbombaMokhotlongHlatikulu100 km28.164S, 30.268E
The recorded site, with the nearest other engagements in the atlas. Present-day coastlines, rivers and borders; towns from Natural Earth.

Nearest engagements

In the same war

Elsewhere in 1899

Battle of Talana Hill is one of 3,507 engagements of the 19th century in the atlas and one of 92 in present-day South Africa.

Sources

Identity, coordinates, dates and the war from Wikidata Q247871, released under CC0. Result, belligerents, commanders, strength and casualties from the infobox of the English Wikipedia article Battle of Talana Hill, revision 1382254860, read 2026-11-14, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; the article's text is not reproduced here. Present-day country and state from Natural Earth. Dates before 1582 follow the Julian calendar as recorded.