Chapter XXXV: Appendix: 7

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DEFENCE OF TRAINS, IN ORDERS FOR DECEMBER 6, 1900.

“The following C. of S. circular memo., No. 25 of Pretoria
27-11-00 is published for information.

1. All officers and men travelling by train on all occasions must
be armed.

2. The senior officer travelling on a train is responsible for
its defence, if attacked.

3. For this purpose every officer travelling should satisfy
himself whether he is the senior officer on the train or not.

4. The senior officer on the train should see that the men
travelling by the train have their rifles handy, and that one or
two men are detailed to keep a look-out.

5. It has lately been noticed that the enemy, when they attempt
the capture of a train, ride up behind the train when it is going
slowly up a grade, and detach the vacuum hose from the rear of
the brake-van. They then open fire along both sides of the train,
to prevent any one getting out.

6. To avoid this, a truck is attached to the rear of each train,
with the vacuum hose disconnected. If any troops are travelling
on the train, the senior officer should see that some of them are
posted, if possible, on the rear truck.

7. Engine drivers have instructions to blow a long blast on the
base whistle, if they have any reason to think that anything is
wrong. Troops should be instructed to stand to arms on hearing
this warning.”

In orders of February 22, 1901, appeared the following instructions for officers and men travelling by train.

“1. A commander is to be detailed in each truck in which there
are troops.

2. Officers travelling with troops are to be distributed
throughout the train: they are not all to travel together in one
truck.

3. The men are to keep their ammunition on, and their rifles
beside them. The rifles are not to be stacked in a corner of the
truck.

4. The men in the rear truck are to be mounted as a guard with a
sentry, and magazines charged.

5. The officer in command of the train should enquire of the
Commandant or R.S.O. which are the most dangerous parts of the
line and warn all under his command.

6. Goods and bales on the trucks are to be arranged as
breastworks as far as possible, in the rear truck especially.

7. R.S.O.’s are to arrange that these orders are shown to the
Commander of every train. When small parties without an officer
or N.C.O. are on the train, he should appoint one man in charge.”