Battle of Colenso

The Battle of Colenso took place in December 1899 during the Second Boer War in South Africa. British forces attempted to seize a critical Boer supply depot by crossing a bridge over the Tugela River at Colenso. However, they underestimated Boer defensive fire, and their attack was poorly coordinated, resulting in heavy casualties and an embarrassing failure. This battle highlighted the challenges of conventional warfare against well-entrenched guerrilla-style fighters and underscored the need for better planning and tactics by the British. It was part of a broader conflict over control of South African resources and territory.