Nature of the British army - Army Strength Flashcards
How many regular soldiers did the Br have?
250,000
BUT 1/2 overseas
70k+ in India
How many reservists did the Br have?
78,000
+ 65,000 w local militias
What was the change in uniform?
many still wore traditional red uniform
BUT
experience in 1st B War, Sudan, India shown value of less-conspicuous khaki
Where were most lower-rank soldiers from?
working class w lots from Ireland & Scotland
Why did lots of working class people join the army?
escape from poverty & unemployment
Was there still a class issue in the army?
YES
purchasing commissions had been abolished BUT many officers had private incomes to meet cost of social life
Were the generals experienced?
YES
Sir Redvers Buller & Lord Frederick Roberts = both won the Victoria Cross for bravery
+ Lord Horatio Herbert victories in Sudan
expectations = high
Did the Boers or the British have more men?
Boers 50k vs. Br 27,000
How did the Br fix being outnumbered?
sent reinforcements by sea
= 1 Dec 1899 there was 84k Br in SA
How did the Br get supplies to SA?
Royal Navy escorted ships to Cape Town (main port in Cape Colony)
What presented challenges for the Br?
Inland Transport
- Boers used to ox-wagons & horses across rough country
- Br planned to use railways (as part of an offensive military strategy)
