It's January 1900 and we're at the eponymous battle of Spion Kop. In part one of the two part coverage of the battle, we will take a look at preparations for the battle and discuss the tactics.

Right now its January 1900 and it’s midsummer in South Africa, heat waves top 40 degrees celcius in places and in the region close to Ladysmith in Natal, humidity adds to the uncomfortable conditions.

The high temperatures create violent thunderstorms which can drench the parched landscape in more than 30 millimeters of rain in half an hour.

 

Rivers that wind languidly through deep canyons surrounded by thick bush suddenly turn into gushing monsters that sweep all before them. And one of the most powerful is the Tugela River which the British must cross successfully along with their equipment in order to get to Ladysmith where 13 000 of their troops are besieged.