Experience of Warfare: Boer Flashcards
When did the Second, or Great, Boer War start?
12th October 1899
What were the causes of the Boer War?
- Strategic - route to India and other parts of the Empire.
- Gold - discovery of gold in 1886 made the area attractive to British miners and speculators (e.g. Cecil Rhodes), and also led to concerns that with this new wealth Boer areas would become too powerful.
- The Uitlanders - the (mainly British) foreigners who were denied the vote in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State.
- Empire - preservation of.
What was the size of the British army in 1899?
249,466 regulars, with 78,000 regular reservists - a small force given the size of the empire. In addition to this, 35,000 of the 65,000 militia were available if required.
What social groups tended to be soldiers, or Tommies?
Poorest, disproportionate number from Ireland. Many from urban unemployed. Soldiers had low pay (one shilling a day) and low social standing.
What was life like as a soldier?
Generous food allowance, with rum.
Severe discipline - flogging in wartime only abandoned 1881, continued in military prisons until 1907.
Mundane tasks - initiative discouraged.
Still trained for close order volley firing.
What improvements had been made since the Crimean war?
- Wore khaki (but with bright buttons/cap badges)
- Most had Lee Enfield magazine rifle - excellent range and precision.
- Improvements in supplies by creation of Army Service Corps.
- Royal Army Medical Corps established 1898.
- Officer corps not much different - despite abolition of purchase of commission - because private income deemed necessary and few could manage on the pay alone. Lots of sport and form-filling, little regard for professional soldiering.
How was the Boer army organised?
A citizen army, without uniforms - known as burghers.
Over 50,000 men, + 500 foreign volunteers.
Each man had a Mauser rifle, and most were excellent shots.
Relied on ponies for transport.
Commando officers elected.
Money from gold meant they were well equipped, and £90,000 pa was spent on intelligence gathering (c/f £11,000 pa by Britain for the whole of the empire).
How was the British army organised?
After reinforcements from India troops numbered 22,000.
General (Sir) Redvers Buller (60 years old) was commander.
Most troops were infantry - huge problem of movement and supply, as short of horses, so they were very dependent on the four railways of British South Africa.
What were the dates of, and what happened in, the first phase of the war?
October 1899-January 1900
British defeats - besieges at Ladysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking, Black Week, Spion Kop.
Commanded by Buller.
What was Black Week?
Buller’s attempt to divide his army into 3, with two of the groups being sent to relieve the sieges at Kimberley and Ladysmith. All three groups were defeated. As a result, the government sent in two “heroes” - Field Marshall Lord Roberts and Field Marshall Horatio Kitchener.
What were the dates of, and what happened in, the second phase of the war?
February- June 1900
More reinforcement arrived - volunteers, and many mounted infantry.
Feb - Kimberly and Ladysmith were relieved
March - Blemfontein captured
May - Mafeking relieved
By June 1900 the British had captured Boer capitals Johannesburg and Pretoria, and believed the war to be over.
Commanded by Roberts.
What were the dates of, and what happened in, the third phase of the war?
Late 1900-throughout 1901
Guerrilla warfare - destroyed railways and supply lines. British responded with scorched earth policy and concentration camps.
Commanded by Kitchener.
When did the war end?
May 1902, with the signing of the Peace of Vereeniging, making the Transvaal and the Orange Free state a part of the British Empire.
How had the press changed since the Crimean war?
Coincided with press revolution - expansion - 1896 “Daily Mail” launched costing 1 halfpenny. Aimed to make money by maximising sales and through advertising - so “spicy” stories, short layout. Used Boer war to advantage.
Who was the most famous war correspondent?
Winston Churchill, for “The Morning Post”.
Hybrid - both serving officer and newspaper employee.
