Key Battles of The Anglo-Boer War

Question 1

State the challenges faced during the Siege of Kimberley, 14 October 1899-15 February 1900

Answer 1

The citizens within Kimberley had to have their supplies rationed and were under fire from Boer guns, but just had to endure the attempts to besiege the town. This was the least threatened town out of the three attacked by the Boers at the beginning of the Second Boer War.

Question 2

State the outcome of the Siege of Kimberley

Answer 2

Boer losses: heavy casualty rate (mostly due to Paardeberg battle in ana tempt to relieve the siege)
British losses: 42 killed, 135 wounded
The town was relieved of the siege by cavalry division under John French, which itself was operating under the larger force of Lord Roberts.

Question 3

State the challenges faced during the Siege of Mafeking, 16 October 1899-17 May 1900

Answer 3

Despite the media’s claim stating that Mafeking was under serious threat by Boer forces, the town faced little hardships, but had to have more luxurious provisions rationed to combat the longevity of the siege. Whilst there were a few skirmishes which kept the threat of being besieged imminent, the people of Mafeking were in little danger.

Question 4

State the outcome of the Siege of Mafeking

Answer 4

Boer losses: 2,000 causalities
British losses: 812 casualties
Colonel, later Lord, Baden-Powell became a national hero as a result of his contributions to the siege, and his Scout movement created during the siege remains part of today’s society.

Question 5

State the challenges faced during the Siege of Ladysmith, 2 November 1899-28 February 1900

Answer 5

This siege was the most difficult of the war, and civilians were under serious threat from the Boers. Ladysmith as a town was rife with Boer spies during the siege, leading to mistrust amongst those in the town as the siege progressed. The resulting (forthcoming) defeats in Black Week were a result a General Bulled attempting to lift the sieges.

Question 6

State the outcome of the Siege of Ladysmith

Answer 6

Boer losses: over 52 killed, total casualties unknown
British losses: approximately 850 killed and wounded, 800 prisoners
Major Hubert Gough lifted the siege at the end of February 1900.

Question 7

Name the Commander of the British Army and strengths in the Battle of Stormberg, 10 December 1899

Answer 7

General Gatacre
1,800 infantry
250 mounted troops
12 guns

Question 8

Name the Commander of the Boer Army and strengths in the Battle of Stormberg, 10 December 1899

Answer 8

Piet Cronjé
2,300 men
3 guns

Question 9

State the reason for the Battle of Stormberg, including battle depth

Answer 9

Stormberg had previously been captured by the Boers, meaning General Gatacre and his forces were tasked with liberating the town. Additionally, the Battle of Stormberg was intended to relieve the Siege of Ladysmith, but failed to do so due to the insistence of frontal assault from superior General Buller, with the autonomous Boers prevailing over the Empire’s might.

Question 10

State the outcome of the Battle of Stormberg

Answer 10

Boer losses: 8 killed, 26 wounded
British losses: 26 killed, 68 wounded, 696 captured
The British were unprepared for the strength of the Boers and were complacent in their organisation, paying the price on the battlefield with a resounding Boer victory.

Question 11

Name the Commander of the British Army and strengths in the Battle of Magersfontein, 11 December 1899

Answer 11

Lord Methuen
15,000 men
27 guns

Question 12

State the Commander of the Boer Army and strengths in the Battle of Magersfontein, 11 December 1899

Answer 12

Piet Cronjé
8,500 men
5 guns
3 machine guns in concealed positions

Question 13

State the reason for the Battle of Magersfontein, including battle depth

Answer 13

The British were attempting to relieve the Siege of Kimberley, but were blocked by Boer forces led by Piet Cronjé.

Question 14

State the outcome of the Battle of Magersfontein

Answer 14

Boer losses: 236 killed or wounded
British losses: 948 killed or wounded
A defeat of severe magnitude for the British, who were guilty of underestimating the Boers and their adept ability to conceal machine guns at key positions due to poor preparation and intelligence. This was particularly humiliating for General Buller, a trained intelligence officer who should be fully aware of the significance of intelligence to preparing for battle.

Question 15

Name the Commander of the British Army and strengths in the Battle of Colenso, 15 December 1899

Answer 15

General Buller
14,000 infantry
2,700 mounted troops
44 guns

Question 16

Name the Commander of the Boer Army and strengths in the Battle of Colenso, 15 December 1899

Answer 16

Louis Botha
4,500 men

Question 17

State the reasons for the Battle of Colenso, including battle depth

Answer 17

Buller was aiming to relieve the Siege of Ladysmith with this battle, but the Boers had a secret advantage. They used Condite, a smokeless powder, within their small arms to conceal the position of the shooters and ambush British without revealing themselves.

Question 18

State the outcome of the Battle of Colenso

Answer 18

Boer losses: 8 killed, 30 wounded
British losses: 143 killed, 735 wounded, 240 missing, 10 guns captured
Inadequate preparation and uninspired leadership led to British defeat, with General Buller failing miserably to command the forces of the Empire to neutralise this seemingly harmless threat.

Question 19

Name the Commander of the British Army and strengths in the Battle of Spion Kop, 24 January 1900

Answer 19

General Bullet
20,000 men
36 field guns

Question 20

Name the Commander of the Boer Army and strengths in the Battle of Spion Kop, 24 January 1900

Answer 20

Louis Botha
8,000 men
4 field guns
2 machine guns

Question 21

State the reason for the Battle of Spion Kop, including battle depth

Question 22

State the outcome of the Battle of Spion Kop

Answer 22

Boer losses: 68 killed, 267 wounded
British losses: 243 killed, 1250 wounded

Question 23

Name the Commander of the British Army and strengths in the Battle of Paardeberg, 18-27 February 1900

Answer 23

Lord Roberts (unwell during battle)
Lord Kitchener (given command and orders to follow from Roberts)
15,000 men under Kitcheners immediate command
Forces dispersed according to Robert’s’ orders

Question 24

Name the Commander of the Boer Army and strengths in the Battle Paardeberg, 18-27 February 1900

Answer 24

General Piet Cronjé
7,000 men

Question 25

State the reason for the Battle of Paardeberg, including battle depth

Answer 25

The British were attempting to relieve the siege in Kimberley with the help of heavily reinforced forces after the failure of Lord Methuen. Roberts intended on outflanking the Boer left so his cavalry could pass through and relieve Kimberley.

Question 26

State the outcome of the Battle of Paardeberg

Answer 26

Boer losses: 350 killed and wounded, 4,019 captured
British losses: 348 killed, 942 wounded
The Battle of Paardeberg marked the turning of the tide for the British, with significant Boer numbers captured implying that the British had the won the war as the seriously depleted opposition wouldn’t be able to combat the strength of Roberts’ troops.