2003 The inauguration

After reconnaissance in 2002 and a massive amount of clearing of the overgrowth from the original slide by rancher Mike Bently of Rolling M it was planned to re-enact the raising of the guns on the anniversary of the battle. With the weather typically hot and humid for early February, teams from the Portsmouth Action Field Gun and the Natal Field Artillery assembled at Skiet Drift where the SADF Engineers had obligingly erected a pontoon bridge as part of their annual deployment. A 12pdr gun had been borrowed from the South African Navy together with its compliment of gear and all was drawn up the track that had been made by the Utukela District Authority to reach the base of the gunslide.

Practice of the gear and the drills was carried out and the strong-points that had been concreted into hillside were tested. By invitation the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and her party arrived and were elevated to the summit of Swartkop by helicopter. As to this day no vehicle has been to the top of Swartkop.

Both teams were content to successfully raise the gun and its limber to the summit and fire a round and although there was no official timekeeping there was considerable ribbing that the NFA had very much bettered the time of the PAFG. A re-run for the Sunday was not possible due to some problems with the gear and some overnight rain. Honour would have to wait for 2004!

2004 Natal Field Artillery vs the Portsmouth Action Field Gun Team

The SA Naval gun was unfortunately not available and the event was kindly loaned a 15pdr Krupp from the Drill Hall of the Natal Carbineers, but on the condition that its newly restored parade ground wheels were not used. New steel wheels were made and new running cables and blocks set onto the hill. There was a fair amount of ribbing and tension between the two same teams as they squared up for the preliminary run on Saturday 21 st February and the NFA drew the first pull. The heavier and different gun gave challenges for steerage and but the drills of making fast at the halfway point were reasonably slick and the gun arrived at the summit in a respectable 31.53min with 20men. The PAFG had been watching closely and with the benefit of their more experienced team raised the gun to the summit in18.03min with 19men. The gun was again fastened at the halfway point on the hill and a straight pull of the drag-rope downwards allowed the team to use their weight on the cable which was led around a turning block at first the halfway point and then at the top.

The planned re-run on the Sunday to give the NFA a chance to improve their time was again made impossible by the heavy overnight rain so that the timings had to stay as set and the PAFG were able to collect their long awaited prize.

2005 Q Battery Royal Artillery vs 1 st Battlaion Royal Highland Fusiliers

The escort that origninally raised the guns up Swartkop was the Royal Scots Fusiliers who now have worthy successors in the Royal Highland Fusiliers and who had been planning to do the challenge since its inception. This year enabled them to fit the trip to do some adventure training in KwaZulu-Natal between tours in Iraq. Their competition was Q Battery Royal Artillery who were well versed in the handling of modern guns and whose forebears whose name they still carry, had been involved in the action at Sannah’s Post near Bloemfontein.

The competition now had a new dimension in the form of an original Long Range Naval 12-pounder barrel and this had been mounted on a replica wooden trail built to the specification diligently recorded by Captain Scott of HMS Terrible and retrieved from the Museum archives at HMS Excellent at Portsmouth. The steel wheels made for the previous year were reinforced and used. The authentic gun was considerably heavier and study of the description of the rig used in 1900 revealed that a 2:1 purchase had been used with Balloon cable, the specification of which was obtained from the Royal Engineers Museum at Chatham. The timed competition was re-drawn and the complete team started at the top with the gun at the bottom of the hill.

The RHF were first to do a practice run on the Saturday after rehearsing on a practice slope on the Friday. It was all a lot harder work than had been imagined but the gun moved inexorably up and a time of 35:30 was recorded. There was considerable consternation by the team from Q Battery once they saw the scale of the task since in their modern Artillery some one-third of their party was female and lacked some of the weight and power with which equality should have endowed them. As they watched the descent of the gun manoeuvred by the RHF they witnessed one wheel failing to negotiate a solid rock outcrop which overbalanced the gun in the same manner as its original predecessors had recorded ‘frequent capsiszes’. One wheel was bent to an alarming degree and then removed; then both teams combined to lower the gun. No easy way of straightening the wheel could be found so a second run was not possible and Q Battery’s equality was not put to the test.

Ladysmith Swartkop Challenge 2006

Two SADF teams registered to compete for the first time to win the permanent trophy of a model long range Naval 12pdr on the wooden carriage and the R10,000 prize purse. This modern extreme sport event tests the power and control of competing teams to draw an authentic Royal Naval gun up the natural slope of a Northern Natal hillside as carried out by their military forbears in 1900.

The grey skies over Ladysmith cleared as the weekend of 1 st and 2 nd April approached and the finishing touches were made to the impressive and scenic new venue for the Swartkop Challenge at Wagon Hill overlooking Fourie’s Spruit by kind permission of Mr Laurence Camphere. The modern Event now forms the exciting core of the Ladysmith Siege Weekend which incorporates other activities of a military and historical background to make a uniquely entertaining and interesting attraction in an attractive and historic location.

The Natal Carbineers were practicing during the week at their base in Pietermarizburg and this started by the team drawing a car with the brakes locked across the soccer pitch, using rope and cable with a pulley secured to a tree. They then graduated to a loaded LandRover with trailer which was just a gentle imitation of the competition to haul a gun of 1250kg up a hill of some 40degrees and a total distance of 120m with a measured change in elevation of 120ft – more than one third of the height of the Victoria Falls.

From their base at Ladysmith 5 th Battalion of the South African Infantry made reconnaissance trips to the hill itself and with the membership of the Army Weightlifting Team in the fore were working out methods of raising the gun without the use of the tackle provided. The team to their credit did completely lift the gun at the bottom of the slope, but then approached the task of mastering the pulleys and shackles with rather more respect.

The gun itself is genuine and carries the date of 1898 on the breech. Originally mounted on the deck of British Cruisers at the end of the 19 th Century they were a defensive armament against high speed torpedo boats and the latest technical development. With a dampened spring to take the barrel recoil from the high powered round that drove a 12-pound shell 8,500yards they were intended to protect their host vessel by keeping the lighter and faster threat at bay. Captain Percy Scott of HMS Terrible devised their land mountings as a response to the 75mm and 155mm guns that were fielded by the Boer forces in the Boer War of 1899-1902. The mount consisted of a wooden trail made from a of a dockyard pile with the barrel mounted on a crude plate swivel and supported by a 3in axle tree carrying a pair of standard wagon wheels. The guns were known as ‘cow guns’ due to the difficulties in handling them; their frequent capsizings were caused by the heavy trail and small wheels; and the primitive range adjustment – usually the digging in of the trail to achieve sufficient elevation. The competition gun had been adapted to fire a small black powder charge to be fired by the team when reaching the finishing line.

Saturday morning found the organisers lowering the gun for the first time down the prepared slide from which many of the stones had been removed. The solid wheels didn’t need much of a stone to form a brake so even on the descent there was a significant amount of ‘wheeling’ work to be done. The municipal tractor acted as a brake on the level top of the hill, attached by cable to the trail of the gun. The lowering only damaged a few nerves and soon all was safely in position for the competing teams to carry out practice runs.

During the slow time practices on the hill a demonstration by the Orange Free State Artillery Corps of Life on Commando by their bell-tent included a cookery demonstration by the impressive team in period costume as well as a presentation their period weapons. Black serge dresses were very elegant but even on the mild April day caused some degree of overheating to the wearers. The Dundee Die-hards brought their khaki presence with a display of drill and bayonet practice as well as authentic punishments in the field, practice with the bayonet and much discharge of blank rounds. These two colourful and active displays were separated by the South African Miniature Cannon Club with a fine display of working models which were used to start the Challenge event as well as demonstrate other points of drama and focus for the weekend. Craft stalls, refreshments and music of an appropriate military style gave the cleared hilltop a festive air with plenty of activity for all comers.

The timed runs for the trophy and the purse were scheduled for the Sunday to start after a moving prayer service was held on the hilltop in the sharp morning light. This was led by John Snyman of Ladysmith with prayers in English, Afrikaans and Zulu, the singing of psalm 100 ‘O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come’. A two minutes silence was kept to remember the fallen and this was ended by a bagpiped Lament by saffron-kilted Cpl Robbert Lyttle of the Irish Guards who had come to Ladysmith to commemorate the foundation of his regiment in Ladysmith on 1 st April 1900. The service concluded with a prayer for the spirit and safety of the competitors and a volley of six miniature cannons made the transition to the Challenge itself.

First to run were the 5 SAI led by SSgt Snaye Mkhulise with his team of weighlifters. The miniature cannon cracked and they were off with five of the permitted 20 team members running down the hill to link the bight of cable to the pulley on the gun at the base of the hill. The pulling team meanwhile shackled the drag rope onto the top eye of the left hand steel cable and prepared to use the slope of the hill to assist their weight and apply maximum power to draw the gun upwards. They were fast on the early stages and had the gun up to the halfway fixing point in about five minutes. Here the gun was shackled to the strong point, the cable was then eased and made fast leaving the pulling team with the small problem of climbing the hill to the top with their drag rope to attach it to the top of the right hand steel cable.

Weight lifting is good for short applications of maximum power but the event demands some hill climbing technique also and on arrival at the summit there was a diversion to the stock of cold water before taking up the drag rope for the second part of the pull. What would their forbears have said? Even if there had been tea available. The second part of the pull has the gun travelling up the steepest part of the hill over some hard rocky outcrop and here the wheelers need to coordinate their efforts with the power of the pullers as well as steering the heavy gun to avoid the worst of the rocky obstacles. Those hard iron wheels really like running on flat tar or concrete but none of that is on a KwaZulu-Natal hillside!

Much effort and shouting by the team was now accompanied by the spectators who of course knew exactly what each team member should be doing and wasted no time in attempting to tell them. Among them was the party from Portsmouth Action Field Gun who inaugurated the competition in 2003 and competed against the Natal Field Artillery in 2004. Not being directly involved they could see all the hazards and the easy ways of manoeuvring the stubborn hardware and of course of controlling the two disparate parts of the team. So easy really, and their exertions enhanced the trade for the bar.

Drive and enthusiasm lifted the gun over the rocky outcrop and soon the level part of the course was in sight with the finishing line still some 20m further across the rocky ground. The pulling team were instructed to let go the drag rope at the base of the hill and again make the climb to the summit. With the lack of their pulling power the gun steering team could not move the stubborn tonanabit so had to anxiously await the arrival of their team members. Panting up the slope they were now emphatically denied their cool water and all hands strove to push and pull to the finishing line. The gun also had to be rotated so that the ‘shot’ could be fired towards the Town; it wouldn’t be right to fire in the direction from which so much effort had been expended in coming up that hill, now would it? The shell was loaded; the breach closed and when the last member of the team staggered over the line, the lanyard snapped and with a satisfying crash 200g of black powder created a flash from the muzzle and a large cloud of white smoke. The elation of the team having achieved their feat was very moving and enhanced by the cheers and clapping of the spectators.

This performance did not seem to disturb the second runners of the day and the Natal Carbineers could be seen quietly discussing tactics in the shade of a convenient accacia tree while the organisers rattled the Municipality tractor to life and bounced the gun back to the bottom of the hill. Punctually the team formed up at the start and started their singing to invoke strength and courage, the chant gently rising to a crescendo with increasing stamping and slapping of hands. Finally ready for their pull the miniature cannon cracked again and the race was on.

The Carbineers had put in more practice and had the advantage of seeing how their competition performed and all of their errors and pitfalls. They were fleeter of foot and sharper in their handling of the gear and the gun was quickly on its way back up to the top of the hill. At the half-way point where the gun was fastened on to the strong-point there seemed little to choose between the teams and as the pullers climbed to the top to attach the cable for the second half of the pull their agility and fitness worked in their favour. Down they went over the crest with the gun travelling well towards the rocky outcrop and steepest part of the slope. Here the real test of the challenge is felt and only by careful steering and precise application of the puller’s power will the minimum effort be required. Technique is all, as in most sports demanding strength, and the Carbineers began to be found out here with their lighter weight telling against them. Quite a struggle ensued at the outcrop and even with all the enthusiastic encouragement and instruction from the spectators the progress was agonisingly slow. Teamwork and pride held together as a timely Irish skirl from the bagpipes drove new energy to the flagging Zulu team and slowly the gun rose to the summit of the hill. Even when their elapsed time exceeded the first team their determination refused any outside assistance as they manoeuvred the gun to the finishing line, gathered their total team and fired it in good order. The congratulations they received from their experienced and long-serving colleagues in 5SAI for such a staunch effort was not about winning or coming second but a true acknowledgement of a common effort of endurance with all the determination and pain that went with it.

United in their common achievement all team members received the award of a medallion and a tee-shirt for each member which was presented by Commander Peter Lankaster RN, the Naval and Air Advisor at the British High Commission in Pretoria. He gave a moving speech joining The Royal Navy Field Gun Run Competition, the Swartkop Challenge and the heroism displayed during the siege of the Town of Ladysmith in 1900. The perpetual trophy was awarded to the team from 5 SAI so it will reside in the mess in the barracks before being returned to its home in the Ladysmith museum, with the prize purse of 100 x R100 notes were shared out between the winning team. The corrected elapsed times kindly recorded by historian Mr Steve Watt for the Natal Carbineers was 53:09min and for 5 SAI 34:3min. The record still stands at 18:53 in 2004 by the PAFG – but that was with a much lighter gun and simpler rig. Will they come and challenge the defending team in 2007?

The new venue for the competition allows easy access for visitors and a safe venue for competitors to try their hand at the near impossible – and have the chance to fire an authentic gun that was made in 1898. The next Swartkop Challenge will be at the core of the Ladysmith Siege Weekend and is scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday 31 st March – 1 st April 2007 at Wagon Hill, Ladysmith. Bring your picnic!

The Fifth Swartkop Challenge – 1st April 2007

The sunny Sunday finds the hilltop brimming with anticipation as the teams arrive and warm up. Collingwood have dressed in their smart red shirts and gave a display of warm-up drill to impress any rugby team, and having made all their last minute preparations and plans set off at the firing of the miniature cannon. Drag rope is connected to the cable, Gun Team has reached the bottom of the Hill and with an impressive display of strength and coordination the Power Pack descend past the cheering crowd bringing the gun jolting up over the rocks towards the halfway point. A slight pause here as the cable is straightened on the block on the gun but progress is steady and the gun fastened off, the Power Pack detach the drag rope and set off for the top of the hill. With new connections made the strain is soon on the draw cable again and the securing strop cast off from the halfway point. Now the Power Pack meet the gun at the steepest part of the slope and wheels are spoked and maximum effort applied to raise the stubborn hardware over the rocky lip and up to the more level surface at the top. Here the draw cable is cast off and the Power Pack recalled to the summit to drive the gun to the finish line, rotate it and with the firing of some 75grains of black powder, the clock is stopped by the timekeeper at 25minutes and 55 seconds – a full 10 minutes shorter than the winning time the previous year with the same gun on the same hill. The team is now set on edge awaiting the results of the other competitors wondering if they did well enough and how they could have done better. Oh, and just a little problem chaps; just get the gun down the hill!

Now the Ladysmith SAPS finish their warm-up routine and to the crack of the starting cannon commence their run. With local support being loud and keen the team is coordinated by Speedy and show great coordination in steering the gun and in taking the Power Pack on the other side of the track to the Navy. The gun comes up to the halfway point and the strop is attached; the Power Pack head for the summit. This all seems quite smooth and unofficial times are being compared – but will they be strong enough to raise the gun up that steep rocky outcrop? They have two women in their team and are they really strong enough? The second draw commences and the Power Pack meet the gun at the steepest point. Since they have chosen to draw on the left side of the track there is little space for the team to pass the gun, but this is done and the gun approaches the top of the hill. The draw cable is cast off and the Power Pack climb back to the top, gather around the gun and push and pull it to the finish with their pull down Murchison Street giving them additional gun handling confidence. With a crash the gun was fired and the time stopped at 23m: 53s a full two minutes off the impressive time from the Navy!

The competition is on – the other two teams have experience on their side! Will the Scotsmen be up to the Challenge with their apparently lighter weight but the experience of 2005 to build on? Will 5 SAI be able to apply their obvious strength to make a second success? The Tote is closed so it is all speculation as the crowd are entertained by the Zulu dancers while the gun is lowered.

The 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland – 2 Scots – had antecedents who like the Royal Navy, had dragged guns up the original Swartkop, so marshalling at the start line there is something here that gives a call to the traditions and courage of their forbears. The other thing about Scotsmen is that they respond to the sound of Bagpipes and as the team commenced their pull the lone piper from the Irish Guards plays the Power Pack down the slope, lifting spirits and excitement. Other teams didn’t like the background noise since it affected the ability of the leaders to control the teams – the Scots saw it a different way. The team choose the same side of the track as the Police before them and the steering skill of the gun team with the ropes works well and soon the halfway point is reached. No great coordination of unofficial times here but a satisfaction to know that they are in the frame as the changeover is made and the steepest part of the slope approached. Here things also seemed to go relatively well, if that description fits heaving and shoving and shouting by 22men to the background of cheers from the 400-strong crowd, the other competitors and the penetrating skirl from the bagpipes. As the cable is cast off the commentator finds an unofficial time from somewhere and raises the crowd and the team to realise that the win was within their grasp. Tristram Channer had appointed his Captain Mark Kerr to lead the Power Pack with himself in the Power Pack. He now leads the group to the final pull at the head of the rope as the gun bucked and swayed over the rough ground at the top of the hill towards the finish line just metres away. It crosses and is turned; the shell loaded and fired and anxious eyes turn to the timekeeper who slowly marks up his board to huge cheers from all competitors and spectators - 20mins and 58 secs.

The exhausted team had dug deep for such a result and staggered off to a sponsored ice-cold PowerAid from the commentator’s vehicle and then returned to lower the gun so that the last running team 5 SAI could attempt to retain the trophy. Spectators were again entertained to an intermission of Zulu dancing after some of the younger members had been detached from the Smac the Rat sideshow, while the bar did swift business and the burgers from the Ladysmith Rotarians approached sell-out for the second day.

Tension was tangible as the soldiers from 5 SAI do their warm-up routine and Zulu battle chant. Their strength had been shown the previous day in righting the gun and the power of the rhythmic chanting effort was held in awe. The team have experience on their side and the tremendous leadership drive of Snaye Mkhulise. They now also had some fifty female supporters who line the hill, and as the team speed into action and take the strain on the drag-rope they start their Ulululing which has the same effect as the bagpipes on the Scotsmen. The Power Pack pull and the gun bumps and rolls away from its base at the foot of the hill and spectators can see that the team had chosen to pull on the right side of the track, similar to the Navy. All is going well as the gun rose to the strong-point and unofficial timers have them there before any of the earlier teams. The Power Pack unhitch the rope and climb up to the summit and then start the hardest part of the pull. As the gun rises higher the power of the team seemed to wane but progress was still good and then the ladies chant in again to give the final drive to get that heavy hardware to the top where it is quickly unhitched from the cables. Then the agony of the wait while the tired Power Pack team climb to the gun and push it on to the finishing line. They knew they hadn’t won but still work flat out and resist any attempt at outside help to bravely fire the gun with the clock recording a full five minutes better than their time last year at 30mins and 16 secs. Their initial rush had seemed to sap them like a 100m dash at the start of a cross country run, but all were content that the Challenge of the Hill and the Gun had been overcome, making a common bond for all teams as they congratulated each other, united by the Swartkop Challenge.

The Prize giving overfilled the marquee as short addresses were made by the orgainiser and creator of the event Charles Aikenhead, the Mayor of Ladysmith Her Worship Cllr Dudu Mazibuko and Wing Commander Bob Whitworth from the British High Commission in Pretoria who as guest of honour kindly made the awards. Each team member received a medallion depicting this strange vintage gun on a wooden trail; team captains received a cheque of varying size depending on their result and finally the trophy was presented to Major Channer of 2 Scots for their incredible and record taking win.