Page 11 - Bulletin 11 2007

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North for the purpose of repelling a probable attack upon Simon’s Town from the rear of
the town.
At about ten o’clock yesterday morning the two companies took up an outpost
position to protect the town and batteries. The defence being divided into two sections. The
left section, Red Hill, being occupied by one company and the right section, Castle Rocks
and Smooth Hill, being occupied by the other company. Observation posts were thrown out
in the direction of Kommetje, to guard against surprise, although it was considered
probable that the enemy would only attempt an attack under the cover of darkness. The
whole of Tuesday the defenders were in readiness to meet an attack and hold their outpost
line, and towards the afternoon their scouts brought in word that the enemy, about 350
strong, were in bivouac near Slangkop.
Yesterday evening, just before dusk, the defenders retired towards Simon’s Town
with the object of protecting it against night attack, leaving observation posts at Smooth
Hill and on the Kommetje road.
The left section took up a position near Michael’s Farm, at the edge of Red Hill,
with the object of preventing the enemy breaking through into the town and possibly
damaging the Dockyard. The right section took up positions on the kopjes in rear of Scala,
in the block house in the Scala road, and strengthened the garrisons of Scala and Upper
North.
nd
The enemy, which consisted of half battalion 2 East Lancs. Regiment, was divided
by its commander into two portions, one portion about one and a half companies to proceed
along the Kommetje road to Red Hill with the purpose of apparently rushing through the
defences into Simon’s Town itself, the other portion was to proceed over Smooth Hill to
attempt to capture Scala. The scouting of the attackers must have been very good for both
portions were led to the points of attack. The enemy broke bivouac and moved off at about
1.45 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

The right half of the attack advancing along the Kommetje road – they moved in
excellent order and in silence, without check until about 4 a.m., when a rocket from the
defenders’ Observation Post suddenly warned them of the enemy’s approach. The post was
captured and the advance continued with greater care even than before. So quietly was the
advance carried on that the enemy came to within 30 yards of the left section of the defence
before they were detected, when a rapid fire was opened upon them.
However, keeping close together in fours, they rushed down the road and succeeded
in breaking through the defence and gaining the Red Hill road into Simon’s Town. So far
the attack had been successful, one and a half companies having rushed through the defence
into Simon’s Town, but leaving the left company with few casualties practically intact in
the rear.
The left section of the attack, whose objective was Scala, was not so successful.
Partly owing to the more difficult nature of the country and partly to the extreme vigilance
of the defenders’ observation post they did not arrive in position until dawn was breaking,
and were met with a very heavy fire. The advance across country was carried out without
observation until the vicinity of Smooth Hill was reached, when as on the other flank a