ZAR’s last Cruesot ‘Long Tom’ is dynamited

Date: 30 Apr 1901
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

During the Second Anglo-Boer War, the fourth and last Creusot 'Long Tom' of the state artillery of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (South African Republic, also known as Transvaal Republic), was dynamited by its crew under Lieutenant H Du Toit before falling into British hands at Bergplaas, 46 kilometres east of Petersburg (Polokwane). According to General Viljoen this took place within a mere 200 metres from the advancing enemy. The Cruesot is synonymous with the Second Anglo-Boer War as it was widely used. The war lasted three years, between 1899 and 1902. The British claimed victory and annexed both ZAR and the Orange Free State and incorporated them into the Union of South Africa.

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01 SAHO South African War 1899-1902 Second Anglo-Boer War [online] Available at: https://www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed on 19 April 2013]
02Craig D. The Weapons and Battles of the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) from Heligraphic Inc. [Online] Available at: https://www.heliograph.com [Accessed on 19 April 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2013, April 26). ZAR’s last Cruesot ‘Long Tom’ is dynamited. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095549

South African History Online (2013) 'ZAR’s last Cruesot ‘Long Tom’ is dynamited', South African History Online, 26 April. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095549 (Accessed: 21 July 2026).

South African History Online, ZAR’s last Cruesot ‘Long Tom’ is dynamited [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095549, (accessed 21 July 2026).

"ZAR’s last Cruesot ‘Long Tom’ is dynamited." South African History Online, 26 Apr. 2013, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095549. Accessed 21 July 2026.

South African History Online. "ZAR’s last Cruesot ‘Long Tom’ is dynamited." South African History Online. April 26, 2013. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095549.