3.5 The Second Boer War 1899-1902
Facing the Boers in Southern Africa
1899-1900
The British Army in 1899
In 1899, Britain went to war against 2 Boer republics: the Transvaal and the Orange Free
State
In some respects, the British Army was well prepared for war.
- Officers and men were experienced from a number of colonial wars, in which mili-
tary leaders had responded well t scientific and technological innovation
- Once war was declared, mobilisation went well, with the admiralty quickly transport-
ing men and supplies to Southern Africa
Nevertheless there were also problems:
• There was a shortage of ammunition
• Several departments, for example the Medical Corps were understaffed.
• Intelligence and staff work were inadequate
The Boer Army, 1899
On paper, the Boer Army looked no match fir the British:
- The Boers could put fewer than 60,000 men in the field
- The Boer Army was essentially a Civilian militia. When danger loomed, all adult
male citizens in a district were expected to form a commando. Each man brought
his pwn weapon and horse.
But the Boers should not have been underestimated:
• The First Boer War 1180-1881 suggested that the Boers, excellent horsemen and
hunters, were likely to be tough opponents
• The Boers were armed with some of Europe’s best weapons, including the powerful
Mauser rifle
• Boers believed that they were engaged in a life and death struggle to preserve their
distinctive culture
• Many Boers in the British territories of Cape Colony and Natal sympathised with the
Two Boer republics
Facing the Boers in Southern Africa
1899-1900
The British Army in 1899
In 1899, Britain went to war against 2 Boer republics: the Transvaal and the Orange Free
State
In some respects, the British Army was well prepared for war.
- Officers and men were experienced from a number of colonial wars, in which mili-
tary leaders had responded well t scientific and technological innovation
- Once war was declared, mobilisation went well, with the admiralty quickly transport-
ing men and supplies to Southern Africa
Nevertheless there were also problems:
• There was a shortage of ammunition
• Several departments, for example the Medical Corps were understaffed.
• Intelligence and staff work were inadequate
The Boer Army, 1899
On paper, the Boer Army looked no match fir the British:
- The Boers could put fewer than 60,000 men in the field
- The Boer Army was essentially a Civilian militia. When danger loomed, all adult
male citizens in a district were expected to form a commando. Each man brought
his pwn weapon and horse.
But the Boers should not have been underestimated:
• The First Boer War 1180-1881 suggested that the Boers, excellent horsemen and
hunters, were likely to be tough opponents
• The Boers were armed with some of Europe’s best weapons, including the powerful
Mauser rifle
• Boers believed that they were engaged in a life and death struggle to preserve their
distinctive culture
• Many Boers in the British territories of Cape Colony and Natal sympathised with the
Two Boer republics
