The battle which changed the course of South African history

In 1806 England and France were at war. Both had extensive interests in the East, and the safety of their trading fleets was of great importance. At this time the Cape was governed by the Batavian Republic (the name by which the Netherlands was known from 1795 to 1806), an ally of France. There were fears of an attack by the British because of the Cape's strategic position on the sea route between Europe and the East.

25th December 1805: After being chased by an English warship, a Privateer ran aground near Cape Point. The French captain brought news to Lieutenant General J W Janssens, Governor of the Cape, of a strong British fleet en route to the Cape.

1st January 1806: A Proclamation was issued for a general call up of all able bodied men to defend the Cape.

4th January 1806: The British fleet was sighted. 63 British ships under Commodore Sir Home Popham and some 7 000 troops commanded by Major General Sir David Baird, dropped anchor between Robben Island and Blaauwberg. Baird knew what to expect at the Cape as he had served as a Brigadier General during the first British occupation of the Cape (1795 - 1803). He planned to land in Table Bay but this was not possible as gale force winds were blowing. Janssens had begun preparations for the defence of the Cape. He was able to rally about 2 000 men, amongst which were:     » Batavian Marines and an assortment of citizen (burgher) cavalry, gunners and dragoons;     » 5th Waldeck Battalion (German and Hungarian mercenaries);     » French sailors and marines from 2 French vessels anchored in Table Bay;     » Hottentot Regiment (KhoiSan);     » Javanese Artillery (nicknamed the Mardykers); and     » Slaves from Angola and Moçambique.

5th January 1806: Janssens moved his troops northwards to the V.O.C. outpost Rietvlei (Rietvallei). 2 of the British warships and some transport ships sailed to Saldanha Bay to occupy the port.

6th January 1806: The British troops landed at Losperd's Bay (now Melkbosstrand). An old transport ship was beached to act as a breakwater. One of the landing boats capsized in the surf, drowning 36 Highlanders. Janssens did not oppose the landing.

7th January 1806: The remainder of the British troops, armaments, horses and necessary provisions were landed and preparations made for the advance to Cape Town. Janssens moved his troops out of their camp at Rietvlei and by afternoon had taken up position at Bloubergsvlei farm on the plains east of Blouberg Hill. His forces bestraddled the wagon trail to Cape Town which the advancing British troops would have to use. British warships started bombardment of the camp at Rietvlei not knowing that the enemy had already moved out.

8th January 1806: At 03H00 the British forces, formed in brigades, made their way towards the wagon trail. Soon after 05H00 the British troops were on the saddle of Blouberg Hill, looking down on the battlefield. The battle commenced on Kleinberg where the 24th regiment drove the mounted citizens off the hill. Captain Foster was killed along with 15 men either killed or wounded. By now the armies were within firing range of each other. The Highland Brigade was ordered to fix bayonets and charge, supported by cannon fire. On the Batavian front, confusion reigned. The regiments began to break rank and retreat, ignoring Janssens's pleas to stand their ground. Janssens, sensing defeat, ordered a retreat. The British, already exhausted, did not pursue. The Batavian troops regrouped at Rietvlei. 347 soldiers were reported missing. The British troops were exhausted after their march across hot sand under a scorching sun and without water. Many fainted and collapsed. When they arrived at the freshwater spring on Bloubergsvlei Farm, Baird had to personally supervise the distribution of water. The farm house was converted into a temporary hospital. British casualties were 204 dead and injured. Baird and the remainder of his troops pressed on and arrived at the deserted Rietvlei camp in the evening, encamping for the night.

9th January 1806: Baird and his troops advanced on Cape Town. Colonel von Prophalow, acting Commandant of Cape Town, offered no resistance. Janssens had withdrawn to the Hottentot Hollands mountains, intending to offer further resistance.

10th January 1806: The provisional Articles of Capitulation were signed at Papendorp, now Woodstock.

18th January 1806: Janssens surrenders under favourable terms for his troops, the citizens of the Cape and himself, with all existing rights and privileges being retained.

6th March 1806: Janssens, his officers and 573 men left Table Bay in 7 ships bound for the Batavian Republic.

Current sites of Interest.

The V.O.C. Outpost Rietvlei and Janssens base camp. All that remains today is the fresh water spring. A plaque has been erected there. The site offers a magnificent view across Rietvlei and Table Bay. Follow the signs to SANCCOB. At the intersection of Pentz Drive and Blaauwberg Road (Pick'nPay), turn southwards and follow Pentz Drive for 1.1 km. Turn right into the car park at SANCCOB. The spring lies approximately 20 metres to the left.

Losperd's Bay, now Melkbosstrand. The British troops landed here. Follow Otto Du Plessis Drive (M14) northwards to Melkbosstrand. Turn left into 6th avenue (Caltex garage on the corner). At T-junction, turn right into Beach Road and first left into car park (bottom of 7th Avenue).

Barnyard Farmstall. From here one has a good view of the route taken by the British troops. They marched along a sandy track up the north western slopes of Blouberg Hill, over the saddle to the plains below where the battle was fought. At present, the battlefield cannot be accessed. From the beachfront at Melkbosstrand, continue back along 6th Avenue, crossing Otto Du Plessis. After passing Atlantic Beach Golf Estate on your right, you reach the R27. Cross the R27 to the Barnyard Farmstall.

Blouberg Hill: The site is presently inaccessible.

Kleinberg Hill: The site is presently inaccessible.

Bloubergsvlei Farm: The site is presently inaccessible.

Text from Blaauwberg Tourism brochure “Discover the Battle of Blaauwberg” The picture on the left is the view from the top of Blaauwberg Hill south-eastwards. The battlefield is more or less in the centre of the picture - the darkish patch (centre right) is the approximate site.