Wessel Jacobus Wessels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wessel Jacobus Wessels
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| Boer War General of the Orange Free State | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 April 1865 Harrismith, Orange Free State |
| Died | 19 January 1945 (aged 79) Reitz, Orange Free State, South Africa |
| Nationality | Afrikaner |
| Spouse | Susanna Magdalena Wessels |
| Profession | Boer general |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Orange Free State |
| Years of service | 1899–1902 |
| Commands | Harrismith Kommando, Orange Free State general |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War: Natal front, Sanna's Post, guerilla warfare with Christiaan de Wet and Jan Smuts in Cape Colony |
Wessel Jacobus Wessels (born in Harrismith, Orange Free State, on 27 April 1865 – died in Reitz, Orange Free State, on 19 January 1945) was an important Boer general. He fought during the Anglo Boer War (1899–1902).
Wessel was one of eleven children. His parents were Hermanus Nicolaas Wessels and Johanna Wilhelmina Elizabeth Catharina Wessels. He married Susanna Magdalena Wessels. Together, they had nine children: five daughters and four sons. It is important not to confuse Wessel Jacobus Wessels with Cornelis Janse Wessels. Cornelis was another Boer commander. He led the Boer army during the siege of Kimberley.
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Wessel Wessels and the Boer War
When the Anglo-Boer War began, Wessel Jacobus Wessels was sent to the front lines. He led his group of soldiers, known as the Harrismith Commando, to the Colony of Natal.
Key Battles and Escapes
Wessels played a part in the Boer victory at the Battle of Sanna's Post. This battle happened on 31 March 1900. His troops joined forces with those led by General Froneman and General Piet de Wet. About 1,150 Boer soldiers dug in along the Modder River bank.
Later, Wessels fought in the Orange Free State. He was under the command of General Marthinus Prinsloo. On 30 July 1900, Prinsloo surrendered to British General Archibald Hunter. About 4,300 Boer troops were captured in the Brandwater Basin. However, Wessels managed to escape.
Leading the Harrismith Commando
After his escape, Wessels was promoted. He became the commander of the Harrismith Commando. In February 1901, Wessels joined General Christiaan de Wet. They invaded the Cape Colony together.
In March 1901, Wessels took on another role. He became an assistant commander for the Vrede district. He was one of seven assistant commanders in the Orange Free State.
Raids into the Cape Colony
On the night of 3 September 1901, Wessels crossed the Orange River. He was with General Jan Smuts. They crossed at Kiba Drift. Their goal was to invade the Eastern Cape again. This happened after earlier attempts by Christiaan de Wet, J. B. M. Hertzog, and Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger had failed.
British intelligence reports from General French stated that Wessels commanded about 200 men. He was one of seven separate Boer groups. These groups invaded the Cape in September 1901. Together, they had about a thousand soldiers. In the final year of the war, Wessels and his men fought several small battles. They managed to avoid large British operations.
Voting for Peace
Wessel Jacobus Wessels was one of sixty Boer delegates. These delegates met to discuss peace. They gathered for the Treaty of Vereeniging. Wessels voted in favor of peace.
He passed away on 19 January 1945 in Reitz, Free State.
Images for kids
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Wessel Jacobus Wessels, a Boer general.
