Depth 3: The Second Boer War (Challenges) Flashcards
When was the Second Boer War?
1899-1902
How many soldiers, reservists, and local milita members were there at the start of the Second Boer War?
250,000 regular soldiers (half were overseas.)
78,000 Reservists.
65,000 in local militias.
Many joined the army to escape poverty, and membership from Scotland and Ireland was disproportionately high.
What were the strengths of the British Army before the Second Boer War had started?
- They ditched bright red uniforms, wearing inconspicuous khaki instead.
- The purchasing of commissions had been abolished.
- The British outnumbered the Boers by December 1899.
- They created a large system of railways to transport materials and troops across South Africa. This would be later consolidated with the use of armoured trains.
- The Army was experienced through colonial wars.
How were the Boers ready for war?
Some had experience fighting Zulus as well as the British in the First Boer War. Most Boer farmers were skilled hunters and ‘trekkers’, used to the terrain. They fired from concealed positions, and never ran out of ammo as they had support from locals.
Their most effective units were mobile ‘commandos’; bands of horsemen who could live off the land.
Afrikaans speakers in British colonies sympathised with Boers, and Germany subtly supported them.
What were the attitudes of the Boers and British towards each other?
Grudging, mutual respect. (White) prisoners were treated humanely.
The British attitudes were marred by the belief that the Boers were pro-German, anti-democracy and a barrier to Britain’s imperial pursuits.
How did the tactics of the Boers and the British differ?
The Boers planned their own campaigns, and used intimate knowledge of the terrain.
The British used inaccurate maps and knew very little about the enemy. They expected the Boers to immediately surrender upon seeing British firepower.
British troops and strategy were outdated, still using infantry and cavalry. Their complacency was soon shattered.
What was the impact of the Boers besieging Mafeking, Ladysmith and Kimberley?
It dramatically decreased British morale at home, and startled the Army and government. The Boers showed themselves capable of prolonged conventional warfare with artillery.
When was Ladysmith sieged and what happened?
Sieged in November 1899 by 35,000 Boers.
The British commander, Sir George White, set up a defensive perimeter, but was criticised for leaving the defences up to junior officers.
The Boers had French siege guns and the British fired back with naval guns. The Boers only made one attempt to assault the town and were driven back.
When was Black Week and what was it?
10-17th December, 1899.
The new commander-in-chief, Sir Redvers Buller, despatched relief columns to besieged towns. This response was disastrous, with successive defeats. Black Week led to outrage and grief at home.
What happened at Stormberg and Magersfontein during Black Week?
Stormberg: A force of 3,000 British failed to attack the railway junction. Casualties were light, but 500 British were taken prisoner.
Magersfontein: The British forces were blocked from advancing down the railway by Boers who were entrenched on the lower slopes of a hill. The British stumbled into wire and tin cans which alerted the Boers, and they were pinned down by heavy fire and hot sunlight. 200 men died.
What happened at Colenso during Black Week?
Buller’s force tried to cross the Tugela River to get to Ladysmith. Due to poor planning and incorrect maps, the British crossed at the wrong points and were subject to heavy Boer fire. Artillery was deployed in rifle range, and its gunners were shot down. Buller called off the assault, even though the British had taken Colenso, and in the end, 143 men died, 756 were wounded, and 220 were captured.
The Boers only lost 8 men.
What happened at Spion Kop?
The British crossed the Tugela River in early 1900, and attacked the Boers at Spion Kop. They took what they thought was the hilltop, but when the morning mist cleared, they were subject to fire from the Boers, who were higher up.
Conflicting orders were given, with so e men being told to defend, and others to retreat.
1,350 casualties (243 dead.)
How was Ladysmith relieved?
Lord Roberts and General Kitchener took over from Buller in 1900, but Buller was kept on in a subordinate role in Natal.
In February 1900, Buller tried to relieve Ladysmith again. He used bridges to cross the Tugela, and used artillery bombardment to force the Boers to withdraw. The siege ended on the 28th February.
How was Kimberley relieved?
Roberts took personal command of the relief force with 40,000 men. He used superior numbers to push through, and entered Kimberley on the 15th February 1900.
How was Mafeking relieved?
Baden-Powell used fake landmines, dummy guns, and he moved his guns around the defences to pretend he had more. He armed 300 Africans and sent an armoured train to attack the Boer camp.
The relief force lifted the siege in May 1900, the Boers only trying an assault once the relief force was approaching.
