From Brandwater to Waterval-On the tracks of the Boere Pimpernel

[Armpie]

At Leliefontein the tired trek outspanned for a few hours,  before continuing the escape.  Luckily the British were again running out of supplies again. And the communication was still a big problem.  The lack of communication made an organized chase virtually impossible.  Then the Convoy split in 2 one group was moving north towards the Selonsrivier and the other on an eastern path towards Olifantsnek.

Up a beautiful kloof the convoy went and then near the Selonsrivier in the bush the convoy outspanned.  Most of the men took a bath in the clean water of the river.  While everybody was resting one of the artillerymen took a shot at a tarentaal.  The bullet went low and went in the direction of where President Steyn was camping.  He immediately ordered the culprit to come see him.  Capt Muller, as gun commander went.  The president was very agitated and fined the captain 1 pound.  On the spot.  While Muller was walking back, someone pulled on his jacket from behind.  It was Gen. de Wet.  “Here take back the money.  I know it was not you!”

image hosting without accountcertificity.com

screen capturecertificity.com

En terwyl ek hier verby Buffelshoek ry, raai wat kry ek?

greenshotcertificity.com

Kaptein Muller, Artillerieoffisier van die Oranje Vrystaat Artillerie Corps

screenshot program

[Armpie]

how to do a screen shotcertificity.com

Die hoenderplase net voor Olifantsnek het 'n grondpad so wyd soos die heer se genade

[Armpie]

The forward scouts reported that Olifantsnek was not held by the British and infact held by 300 men of the Pretoria Commando.  My great grandfather Gert and his brother Thomas, could have been part of this commando in the nek.  After some time, the convoy pushed through the nek.  On  a farm that belonged to President, the farm Waterval, the convoy outspanned.  They have made it!  370 miles in 31 days.  The closest British force was left 30km behind!

gif uploadcertificity.com

My arrival at Olifantsnek brought me to the end of the way.  Travelling towards the north and Bosveld was a mere formality.  Waterval is today part of Rustenburg with a huge shopping mall as part of the modern development..  I took the way to the west as I came down the nek.

20mb image hostingcertificity.com

free image hostingcertificity.com

[Armpie]

It was decided that Commandant Prinsloo would take the wagons into the bushveld, and the men would then return in smaller groups.  It was not long before de Wet crossed the Magalies again, this time through Potchefstroom, where a famous photo was taken.  On the way back, here near Rustenburg, Capt  Muller was buying 100 oranges when the British interrupted the sale.  He left without money and without oranges.  Stopped at the selling point of oom John Mouton and completed the transaction of Kaptein Muller.  So with a bag of oranjes strapped to the back of the bike I took the way home.  But I still had one more stop.

imagencertificity.com

[Armpie]

So here opposite the no longer used Bokfonteinskool I stopped.  Here de Wet was one final time cornered on his Transvaal excursion.  So with British forces all around him and the Magalies behind him, he asked one of the old black people around.  "Is daar al mense hier oor?"  "Van melewe is hier mense oor, maar nou net bobbejane."  That was enough.  Using the dead ground behind them, the climbed the mountain and escaped over the mountain.  The lowest point in the mountain here, would become known as De Wetsnek.

adult imagecertificity.com

The trip was completed.  The first time in 45 years someone tried it. And only the second time ever.

[Dorsland]

Mooi man, nou lekker saamgery. Baie interessant en dankie vir die moeite.

[2StrokeDan]

Baie mooi RR, lekker boeiend geskryf. Ekself n groot aanhanger van Genl.C.R. de Wet.

[Armpie]

Jors Troelie.  Jou antwoord.
jpg imagescertificity.com

Inderdaad Capt Muller met sy getroue agterryer Jan, en Lt. O'Reilly. Foto geneem by Vanrynsdorp later in die oorlog.

[Armpie]

Slaap op 'n bed

Lemon Tree Lodge, Fouriesburg, R350, no brekfis.  Gaan eet by die Fouriesburg Inn, net so 100m weg.  Maxine, so tannie van Ingeland.  Baie gaaf.

image hosting over 10mbcertificity.com

Ballary Guest Farm, Vredefort. R350. no Brefkis.  Keith & Shanie Ward.  Cool mense.  Drink saam met Keith aan sy Whiskey.

upload gifscertificity.com

Mosaic Guest House, Ventersdorp, R530, Brekfis included.

screengrabcertificity.com

[Armpie]

Gisteraand op PretoriaFM die trippie vertel. In n 1000 woorde. Die program Hartland. Daar is n copy op hulle website

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Thanks Armpie, I am also fascinated with our history, thanks for the effort and well said.

Cheers.   

[Oubones]

Dankie vir die interessante geskiedenis trippie.

[Armpie]

OK, ek het die koerant ook gehaal 

[Armpie]

http://www.pretoriafm.co.za/hartland/ vertelling op PretoriaFM Maandag 5 Junie

[MRK Miller]

Baie nice ampie. Dis nou leka avontoer

[Old Man]

Thanks Armpie. It's a very good read - and I feel inspired to follow your tracks!!
Very well done.