Tonteldoos XI Machadodorp - Gold, Battles, Kruger Mystery Cache

English Version (Vir die Afrikaanse weergawe gaan asseblief onder toe.)

South African Tinderbox Series

Tinderbox Number Eleven (Mpumalanga)

For more information on the Tonteldoos series please click on the following link.

More Information on the Tinderbox Series

For more information on Anglo Boer Wars please click on the following link.

Anglo Boer War Photos

1.0 Machadodorp – Gold, battles, Paul Kruger

This is the story of Machadodorp during the Anglo Boer War (1899 – 1902). In chronological sequence the following events were important in the history of Machadodorp and the events that took place near Machadodorp.

• Paul Kruger and his men took a decision on 7 May 1900 that Pretoria will not be defended. This was the last meeting of the Volksraad in Pretoria.
• The battle of Bergendal that took place close to Machadodorp was probably the most severe of all the battles and it was also the last conventional battle.
• Paul Kruger and his entourage left for Machadodorp on 29 May 1900 from Pretoria.
• On 30 May 1900 the British forces encircled Johannesburg.
• Pretoria was captured on 5 June 1900. The British expected the surrender of Paul Kruger and his Boers with the fall of Pretoria being the capital. This was the “honorable” thing to do – if your capital was seized then it is the end of the war and you surrender. They were not prepared for the toughness and the determination of the Boers. The dream of capturing Paul Kruger and his men with all of the Kruger millions never materialized. Lord Roberts never experienced this honor.
• Paul Kruger moved to Machadodorp and announced this village as the capital of Transvaal. This happened on 5 June. He and his men operated from the rail coaches and even some minting was done. Today the coins minted in this town are called the “Machado coins” and it is quite distinct.
• It is also worth noting that the area called Machadodorp was surveyed in 1862 and was registered as the farm Geluk 29. A small railway station was established and the station was called Geluk. In 1890 the name of the station were changed to Machadodorp in recognition of JJ Machado who surveyed the railway line. Only during September 1904 was Machadodorp  declared a municipality and furthermore declared a town the same year. In other words the village became a capital, then a municipality and then a town.
• Buller was appointed in control of all British forces in Natal. Under Buller the divisional troops, cavalry, naval and infantry brigades were combined in a group named Buller’s Natal Field army.
• Buller started his advance from Natal and on 2 June he occupied Volksrust.
• Buller marched to Standerton and with not much resistance the town was seized. The 1 st brigade King’s Royal Rifle Corps occupied Amersfoort with very little resistance on 7 August.
•  Ermelo was occupied on 11 August.
• On 14 August a squadron of Strathcona’s Horse entered Carolina. Buller was now on his way to Machadodorp.
• On 15 August Buller was told to halt his advance and to wait for Lord Roberts to reach Belfast. At this stage the Natal forces were about 11000 men strong.
• As the British forces under control of Lord Roberts and Buller advanced the Boers retreated along the Delogoa bay railway line toward Machadodorp.
• On 26 July Middelburg was occupied by the British advancing from Pretoria.
• The Boers were gathering to the west of Machadodorp at this stage.
• By 26 July the 11 th division (British) was spread out all along the line from Middelburg to Balmoral. (British)
• Buller ordered his troops forward on 21 August to a location south east of Belfast.
• On 24 August the British forces moved into Belfast. On 25^th August Lord Roberts arrived in Belfast from Pretoria to take overall command of the British forces.
• At this stage Lord Roberts was satisfied that more than enough British soldiers were available for a standoff with the Boers. The British count as a combined force was now totaling about 20000 soldiers.
• During the restart of the Buller’s advance on 21 August 1900 the mounted troops secured the hilly terrain to ensure that the Natal Field army could move through these areas as fast as possible.
• Early morning on 26 August General French’s cavalry received the instruction to occupy the mountainous terrain north of Belfast and Machadodorp. They were halted due to heavy shelling and accurate firing from the Boers while moving forward on the Lydenburg road.
• General Botha established a defence line stretching from Bothasberg (North West of Belfast) to the Komati poort area. This was done during the beginning of August 1900. Their objective was to protect the railway line. Strategically this was their communication line to the world. This protection line was more than 80 km long and about 5000 burgers were used to form this line.
• At Bothasberg commandant Dereksen and his Boksburg commando took up position to protect the road from Middelburg to Lydenburg. Lydenburg was the escape route for the Boers and it was needed to secure this area. The Lydenburg commando took position at Steenkampsberg protecting the road from Belfast to Dullstroom. The Middelburg and Johannesburg commando were positioned to the north east of Belfast and they were protecting the Belfast Lydenburg road. The ZARP contingent which consisted of about 70 men took position on the farm Bergendal in some hills. The ZARP were supported by about 1000 burghers on either side but were not directly connected to them. This was a problem and it placed the ZARP in isolation.
• For the first time during this war the four state artillery Creusot guns were under the command of General Botha. The problem was that Botha had limited experience in conventional warfare deplouying soldiers and artillery with reference to the British. The other problem they faced was a shortage of ammunition.
• The four long toms were place initially to protect the retreat roads and for any advance of the British towards Belfast.
• During 26 August the guns were placed on Elandskop, Driekop, Suikerboschkop and near Elandsfontein.
• On 26 August Buller received information that the extreme left flank of General Botha was positioned on Bergendal. Buller changed direction and advanced directly north across Bergendal.
• To ensure advancement of the Natal Field regiment the 2^nd brigade, “A” battery and the 4^th division mountain infantry were sent forward to clear a path.
• Commandant Oosthuizen, the commander of the ZARP’s received ammunition just in time. He was told to stay put at all cost and to defend and to keep control of this kopje.
• At 11h00 a three hour bombardment started on the kopje where Oosthuizen was located. The bombardment was a combined effort from the howitzers, a field battery and a 4.7 inch naval gun. The burghers received the full force of the British artillery.
• This was a serious problem for General Botha – his guns were too far back to have any effect. The four long toms were now not a factor.
• After 3 hours of British bombardment the Boers were still occupying the kopje.
• Buller then ordered the infantry to move closer under artillery fire. The attacks came from the west, south and east side of the kopje.
• At the foot of the kopje the British fixed bayonets and began their charge.
• Eventually the surviving ZARP’s had to withdraw but accurate firing from the Boers hampered the British progress. They only left the kopje when the British soldiers were among them. Some left on horse back and others on foot. This is an example of the toughness and determination of the burghers. Less than 70 burghers against well trained soldiers totaling more than 1500. This is a ratio of more than 21 British soldiers to 1 Burgher.
• After the 3 hour bombardment with all artillery pieces and an advance of more than 1500 British soldiers Lieutenant Pohlman and nineteen other burghers were killed. Commandant Oosthuizen as well as 18 others were taken as prisoners.
• The line of defence of the burghers was breached. The rest of the men escaped and rejoined other commandos.
• The commandos then separated and they went to Lydenburg and Barberton and this was the start of the guerrilla warfare. This phase of warfare lasted longer than the first phase. It was only ended at the end of May 1902.
• Paul Kruger was at Waterval Onder on 27 August, which was the first railway station in the lowveld. Paul Kruger left for Nelspruit on 28 August.
• On 28 August Buller's troops marched into Machadodorp. On 1 September Lord Roberts issued the proclamation declaring the entire Transvaal British territory.
• The Kruger millions were lost between Machadodorp and Waterfall Onder. There are many rumors – some said it went to Europe. Some said it was hidden somewhere close to Machadodorp. There are also rumors that 3 ox wagons were sent from Machadodorp in three directions. One of these wagons was captured near Ermelo. They say this wagon was a decoy and other say that they already buried the treasure and that this is why the wagons were empty.
• While looking for this cache keep your eye open for any Kruger pounds, if found please inform me – I will gladly share the loot.
• There were no winners in this war. General Buller returns to the United Kingdom and he retired during October 1901. He died on 2 June 1908 of cancer. He was blamed for the death of   22000 British soldiers that was killed in action by farmers armed with German Mausers and a piece of biltong in their pockets. Paul Kruger died on 14 July 1904 in Switzerland. More than 22074 children lost their lives in South Africa. Many woman and old folks died a horrible death in the camps. During this period an unknown number of black children also paid the highest price as well as other black adults. They were buried in unmarked mass graves. The total death toll will never be known. Towns and farms were burnt to ashes as well as live stock.
• On one of the documentary videos about this period they described how one specific woman returned from one of the concentration camps, her husband was killed in action and she lost her children in the concentration camp. She arrived on her farm which was burnt to the ground and when she stopped crying she walked to the nearest building and with her finger she started to scratch around in the dust and she found a couple of seeds. With the seeds in the one hand she walked to the field and she planted them. This woman is showing character and is a symbol of the Boer nation and the guts they can show. It is not what happens to you, what counts is how you deal with it, which make us human.

2.0 Cache Description:

The cache is an easy mystery puzzle and you need to read the above history to answer the questions. The calculated answer will point you to the correct waypoint. The given waypoint is false and will direct you to the parking area. The cache is nearby. Please answer the questions below.

Question 1: About A burghers of the ZARP were trapped under bombardment from the British near Bergendal.

Question 2: On B May 1900 Johannesburg was encircled by the British.

Question 3: The burghers had C number of long toms.

Question 4: On 15 Augustus 1900 Buller’s Natal force totaled about Dmen.

Question 5: Ermelo was captured on E August 1900.

Question 6: General Botha established a defence line start stretching from Bothasberg to the Komati poort area. This was done during the beginning of August 1900. Their objective was to protect the railway line. Strategically this was their communication line to the world. This protection line was more than F km long and about G  burgers were used to form this line.

2.1 Verification of answers and calculation:

Sum of A and B equals to 100

Sum of C, D and E equals to 11015

Sum of F and G equals to 5080

XX = A+B-C

YYY= (((D-G)-(E x F))/10)+6

Waypoint of cache is at S 25 40.0XX and E 30 14.YYY

2.2 Backup plan if cache is muggled.

We are aware that people from all over the country will visit this cache. If the cache is muggled it will be unfair to expect cachers to travel an enormous distance just to find that it is not there and to miss the vital keyword. At the final waypoint is a monument – please send me an e-mail of the inscription on this monument.

3.0 Other related caches:

Please click on the following link.

Bergendal Monument

First to find cacher is IPajero.

Afrikaanse Weergawe  (For the English version please scroll to the top.)

South Afrikaanse Tonteldoos Reeks

Tonteldoos Nommer Elf (Mpumalanga)

Vir meer inligting omtrent die Tonteldoos reeks druk asseblief op die volgende skakel.

Meer Inligting omtrent die Tonteldoos Reeks

Vir meer inligting omtrent die Angolo Boere oorlog druk asseblief op die volgende skakel.

Anglo Boer War Fotos

1.0 Machododorp – Goud, Oorlog, Paul Kruger

Hierdie is die storie van Machadodorp gedurende die Boere Oorlog. (1899 – 1902). In volgorde van gebeure die volgende was belangrik in die geskiedenis van Machadodorp en van die gebeure rondom Machadodorp.

• Paul Kruger en sy Volksraad het op 7 Mei 1900 besluit dat Pretoria nie teen die Engelse verdedig gaan word nie. Dit was ook die laaste vergadering van die Volksraad in Pretoria.
• Die Bergendal veldslag wat naby Machadodorp plaas gevind het was moontlik die mees ernstige veldslag van hierdie tydperk. Dit was ook die laaste konvensionele veldslag wat plassgevind het.
• Paul Kruger en sy gevolg het na Machadodorp vertrek op 29 Mei 1900 vanaf Pretoria.
• Op 30 Mei 1900 het die Britse mag Johannesburg omsingel.
• Pretoria was oorgeneem op 5 Junie 1900. Die Engelse het verwag dat Paul Kruger en sy boere sal oorgee met die val van Pretoria wat die hoofstad was. Dit was tog die aanvaarbare ding wat jy moet doen as jou hoofstad oorgeneem word. Jy gee oor en dit is verby.  Hulle was egter nie voorbereid vir die Boere se vasberaadenheid en taaiheid nie. Die droom om Paul Kruger en sy manne te vang met die Kruger milioene was nooit bewaarheid nie. Lord Roberts het nooit hierdie plesier gehad nie.
• Paul Kruger het beweeg na Machadodorp en hy het hierdie klein dorpie verklaar as die hoofstad van Transvaal. Dit het gebeur op die 5 Junie. Hy en sy manne het geregeer van treinwaens en selfs munte was hier geslaan. Vandag word die munte wat hier geslaan is genoem die “Machado munte” en dit is maklik om te onderskei.
• Dit is ook nodig om te noem dat die area wat vandag bekend staan as Machadodorp, wat opgemeet was in 1862, was geregistreer as die plaas genoemd Geluk 29. ‘N klein trein stasie was opgerig en hy was ook genoem Geluk. In 1890 was hierdie naam verander na Machadodorp in erkening van JJ Machado wat die spoorlyn uitgelê het. Eers in September 1904 was Machadodorp verklaar as a munisipaliteit en later as ‘n dorp . Met ander woorde hierdie piep klein dorpie het eers ‘n hoofstad geword, toe ‘n munisipaliteit en toe ‘n dorp.
• Generaal Buller was aangestel met volle beheer oor al die Engelse magte in Natal. Onder sy beheer het Buller the verskillende afdeling troepe, Ruiterye, Skeeps en Infanterie brigades as een groep geherorganiseer en hulle het bekend gestaan as Buller se Natal Veld Weermag.
• Buller het sy afmars begin van Natal en op 2 Junie het hy Volksrust oorgeneem.
• Buller het toe na Standerton beweeg en met min weerstand het hy die dorp oorgeneem. Die eerste brigade van die King’s Royal Rifle Corps het Amersfoort met min weerstand oorgeneem op 7 Augustus.
•  Ermelo was oorgeneem op 11 Augustus.
• Op 14 Augustus het ‘n afdeling van die Strathcona’s Horse Carolina oorgeneem. Buller was nou sterk op pad Machadodorp toe.
• Op 15 Augustus was Buller aangesê om tydelik sy opmars te stop en te wag vir Lord Roberts om Belfast te bereik. Op hierdie stadium was die Natalse magte ongeveer so 11000 man sterk.
• Soos die Britse magte, onder beheer van Lord Roberts en Buller, nader aan Machadodorp beweeg het so het die boere terug geval met die Delgoa trein spoor.
• Op 26 Julie was Middelburg ook oorgeneem deur die Britse magte vanaf rigting Pretoria.
• Die boere het op hierdie stadium vergader aan die weste kant van Machadodorp.
• Op 26 Julie het die Britse se 11de afdeling ‘n linie getrek vanaf Middelburg tot Balmoral.
• Buller het sy magte laat beweeg op 21 Augustus na ‘n plek so suid oos van Belfast.
• Op 24 Augustus het die Britse magte Belfast oorgeneem.
• Op 25 Augustus het Lord Roberts opgedaag in Belfast om alle beheer oor te neem van alle Britse magte.
• Op hierdie stadium was Lord Roberts oortuig dat daar nou genoeg Britse magte was om die Boere ‘n nekslag toe te dien. Die Britse magte was nou ongeveer so 20000 man sterk.
• Toe Buller se magte weer begin beweeg het, het berede troepe op 21 August 1900 die bergagtige terrein ingeneem om te verseker dat die Natalse magte vinnig kan deur beweeg.
• In die vroeg oggend op 26 August het Generaal French se berede troepe die opdrag gekry om die bergagtige terrein noord van Belfast en Machadodorp te beveilig. Die Boere het egter ‘n stokkie voor dit gesteek met kanon vuur en akkurate klein geweer vuur toe hulle op die Lydenburg pad beweeg het.
• Generaal Botha het ‘n beskerminglyn opgestel wat van Bothasberg (Noord Wes van Belfast) na die Komati poort gebied gestrek het. Dit was gedoen gedurende die begin van Augustus  1900. Hulle motief was om die treinspoor te beskerm. Strategies was dit hulle lyn van kommunikasie met die wêreld. Hierdie lyn was langer as 80 km lank en omtrent 5000 boere was deel van hierdie lyn.
• By Bothasberg het Kommandant Dereksen en sy Boksburg kommando stelling ingeneem om die pad tussen Middelburg en Lydenburg te beskerm. Lydenburg was die ontsnap roete vir die Boere gewees en dit is dus broodnodig om dit te beskerm. Die Lydenburg komando het stelling ingeneem om die pad van Belfast na Dullstroom te beskerm. The Middelburg en  Johannesburg komando was geplaas net noord oos van Belfast en hulle het ‘n oog gehou op die Belfast Lydenburg pad. The ZARP groep wat ongeveer 70 man sterk was het die stelling ingeneem op die plaas Bergendal tussen die heuwels. Die ZARP was ondersteun deur ongeveer ‘n 1000 Boere op beide kante maar hulle was nie direk verbind nie. Dit was ‘n probleem en die ZARP was nou basies op hulle eie.
• Vir die eerste keer was die Creusot staats kannone onder die beheer van Generaal Botha. Botha het egter beperkte kennis gehad van konvensionele oorlogvoering met kannone en soldate in vergelyking met die Britte. Die ander probleem wat hulle gehad het is dat hulle ammunisie aan die opraak was.
• Die vier Long Toms was eers aangewend om die ontvlugs routes te beskerm en hulle moes ook die Britte keer as hulle afmars na Belfast.
• Gedurende 26 Augustus was die kannone geplaas op Elandskop, Driekop, Suikerboschkop en een naby Elandsfontein.
• Op 26 August het Buller inligting ontvang dat die ver regse linie van General Botha stelling ingeneem het op Bergendal. Buller het toe rigting verander en het beweeg na ‘n noordelike rigting en het regoor Bergendal beweeg.
• Om te verseker dat die Natal oorlogsmag vorentoe kan gaan het hy die 2 de brigade, “A” battery and the 4 de afdeling berede berg infanterie vorentoe gestuur om te verseker dat die pad vorentoe skoon is.
• Kommandant Oosthuizen, die bevelvoerder van die ZARP’s het net betyds ammunisie gekry. Sy opdrag was om die heuwel te hou ten alle koste en onder alle omstandighede moes hy in beheer bly.
• Teen ongeveer 11h00 het ‘n 3 uur lange kanon vuur losgebars op die koppie waar Oosthuizen geskuil het. Die saldo was van die howitzers, a field battery and a 4.7 duim skeeps kanon. Die Boere was nou onder die volle vuur mag van die Britse kannone vir die eerste keer.
• Hierdie was ‘n groot probleem vir Generaal Botha – sy Long Toms was nou te vêr om enige effek te hê op die Britte. Die Boere se kanonne het nou niks beteken nie.
• Maar na 3 ure se bestook van die koppie was die Boere nog steeds op die kop.
• Buller het toe die infanterie beveel om nader te beweeg met die ondersteuning van die kanon vuur. Hierdie aanval van die Britte het gekom van die weste, suide en die ooste kant van die koppie.
• By die voet van die heuwel het die Britte hul bajonette opgesit en hulle het begin met die aanval.
• Die ZARP’s moes vlug maar akkurate klein geweer vuur het die Britte ontwrig. Die ZARP het egter eers die heuwel verlaat toe die Britte op die kop en tussen hulle was. Sommige Boere het te voet gevlug en ander het te perd gevlug. Hierdie is ‘n voorbeeld van die taaiheid en vasberaadenheid van die Boere. Minder as 70 Boere het geveg teen meer as ‘n 1500 Britse soldate tot die einde. Die verhouding was 21 Britte teenoor 1 Boer.
• Na 3 ure van aanhoudende kanon vuur met alles wat die Britte gehad het en na ‘n aanval van meer as ‘n 1500 Britse soldate was Lieutenant Pohlman en 19 ander Boere gedood. Kommandant Oosthuizen sowel as 18 ander Boere was gevange geneem.
• Die beskermlyn van die Boere het nou in die slag gebly. Die manne wat oorgebly het, het ontsnap en by die ander Boere aangesluit.
• Die Boere het nou uitmekaar gegaan en hulle het gevlug na Lydenburg en Barberton en die gueralla oorlogvoering het begin. Hierdie tipe oologvoering het langer aangehou as die tydperk voor hierdie veldslag. Die oorlog het eers tot einde gekom op Mei 1902.
• Paul Kruger was op Waterfall Onder op 27 Augustus, wat ook die eerste trein stasie was in die Laeveld. Paul Kruger het vertrek na Nelspruit op die 28 Augustus.
• Op 28 Augustus het Buller se troepe Machadodorp binnegegaan. Op 1 September het Lord Roberts verklaar dat die hele Transvaal nou Britse besit is.
• Die Kruger miljoene het verlore gegaan tussen Machadodorp en Waterval Onder. Daar is baie stories  – sommige sê dat dit na Europa gevat is. Ander sê dat dit weg gesteek is op Machadodorp of daarby. Daar is ook ‘n storie dat 3 ossewaens gestuur is van Machadodorp in drie rigtings. Een van hierdie waens is naby Ermelo gevang. Nou sê hulle dat hierdie ‘n fop was maar ander sê dat die wa leeg was want hy het klaar afgelaai. 
• Terwyl jy vir hierdie skatkis soek hou jou oë oop vir enige verlore Kruger skatkis, as jy hom kry laat my gerus weet ek sal graag wil deel.
• Daar was geen wenners in hierdie oorlog nie. Generaal Buller het terug gekeer na England and hy het is van aktiewe diens onthef gedurende Oktober 1901. Hy is dood op 2 June 1908 aan kanker. Hy was geblameer vir die dood van meer as 22000 Britse soldate wat gedood was deur Boere met biltong in hulle agtersakke en gewapen met Duitse Mausers. Paul Kruger is dood op 14 Julie 1904 in Switserland. Meer as 22074 kinders het hul lewe verloor in Suid Afrika. Baie ou mense en vrouens het ‘n aaklige dood gesterf in die kampe. Gedurende hierdie periode het ‘n onbekende aantal swart mense ook die hoogste prys betaal. Hulle was begrawe in ongemerkte massa grafte. Die totale mense wat gesterwe het is onbekend en ons sal ook nooit weet nie. Dorpe en plase is gebrand tot as saam met die vee.
• Daar is egter ‘n positiewe kant ook. Op een van die doukumentere films in my besit het hulle beskryf hoe ‘n vrou terug gekeer het van die konsentrasie kamp, haar man was gedood in aksie en sy het al haar kinders verloor in die konsentrasie kamp. Sy het aangekom op die plaas wat tot as gebrand was, toe sy op gehou huil het, het sy na die naaste gebou geloop en begin rondkrap in die stof tot sy ‘n paar sade in die hande gekry het. Met die sade in die een hand het sy na die land toe gestap en hulle gaan plant. Hierdie vrou het karakter en is die simbool van die Boere geslag en die durf wat hulle kan wys. Dit is nie wat met jou gebeur nie. maar wat jy doen as dit gebeur wat jou mens maak wat tel.

2.0 Skatkis Beskrywing:

Hierdie skatkis is ‘n eenvoudige raaisel skatkis en om dit te kry moet jy die volgende vrae korrek antwoord. Die antwoord wat jy kry na jou bewerking sal jou na die regte punt toe neem. Die punt wat gegee aan die bokant van die beskrywing is vals en sal jou lei na die parkeer area. Die skatkis is daar naby. Antwoord asseblief die volgende vrae.

Vraag 1: Ongeveer A Boere van die ZARP was vasgevang onder Britse kanon vuur naby Bergendal.

Vraag 2: Op B Mei 1900 was Johannesburg omring deur die Britte.

Vraag 3: Die Boere het C Long Toms gehad.

Vraag 4: Op 15 Augustus 1900 was Buller se Natal mag ongeveer D man sterk.

Vraag 5: Ermelo het geval op E August 1900 voor die Britte.

Vraag 6: General Botha het ‘n verdedingings linie geskep. Hulle wou die spoorlyn beskerm. Dit was gedoen gedurende die begin van Augustus 1900. Hierdie lyn was F km lank en ongeveer G  Boere het die linie gevorm.

2.1 Nagaan van antwoorde en die verwerking van die skatkis punt:

Som van A en B is gelyk aan 100

Som van C, D en E is gelyk aan 11015

Som van F en G is gelyk aan 5080

XX = A+B-C

YYY= (((D-G)-(E x F))/10)+6

Die skatkis punt is by S 25 40.0XX en E 30 14.YYY

2.2 Ondersteuningsplan as die skatkis weg is.

Ons is bewus dat mense van oor die land hierdie skatkis kan kom soek. As die skatkis weg is dan is dit baie sleg om so ver te kom net om te sien dat hy weg is en dan verloor jy nog daar by ook die leidraad wat in die skatkis was. By die finale punt is daar ‘n monument – laat my asseblief weet wat daarop staan en stuur dit as bewys dat jy daar was.

3.0 Ander belangrike skatkis:

Druk op die skakels hier onder vir nog ‘n skatkis in die omgewing.

Bergendal Monument

Die eerste skatkis soeker by hierdie skatkis was  IPajero. Veels geluk.