British Army comparison with Boer Army

Question 1

Lord Salisbury comment on the British Army

Answer 1

Speaking to Queen Victoria he said “We have not army capable of meeting a second class Continental Power”

Question 2

Military reform and the problems they had caused

Answer 2

Army remained small fewer than 135,000 due to reforming to professionalism rather than boosting numbers

• Good performance of colonial wars meant that there was little incentive to change in the 1880s and 90s

-Government was anxious spending money on the army

-Lord Wolsey became commander of chief replacing Cambridge but lacked economic support for the reforms he wanted to introduce

Question 3

Britain strengths against Boer strength

Answer 3

Britain
- Colonial wars gave officers and men experience which allowed them to discover discover the utility of using scientific technological advancement in the army

-Wolseley onderstoof the importance of supply and transportation mobilisation went well transporting supplies over 6000 miles easily (Lord Kitchener wagons)

Boer Army
- Boer in natal and cape colony had sympathised with two republics
Excellent horseman and markemeshoip
-New smokeless German Mauser rifles along with French Creusot siege guns
- High morale as they were fighting for their own homeland

Question 4

Weakness of Boer army and British army

Answer 4

British Army

British Army lacked ammunition

Inadequate supply of khaki but had plenty red white and blue uniforms

Intelligence, staff work and Auxiliary departments were understaffed such as the royal army medical cops

British officers failed to recognise the impact of fire from trench positions and mobility of cavalry raids

Boer War
-Small army 60,000
- Was mostly civilian militia
- in emergency all adult males (16-60) were expected to form a commando
- Each men had to being own rifle and horse but rifle could be provided