The second Boer war Flashcards
what were positives about the state of the British army in 1899
key figure from war office declared the army was more efficient than ever
due to the Cardwell reforms of the 1860s an 1870s which improved organisation and recruitment
Furthermore, new breech-loading field artillery and maxim machine guns had been tested but against week opposition in Afghanistan and Sudan
what was negative about the state of the British army in 1900
There was a shortage in ammunition.
Several departments e.g., the medical corps were understaffed.
Intelligence and staff work were inadequate.
Many soldiers still wore red uniforms, khaki uniform was introduced but not standard until after 1902.
What was the size of the British army
British army had 250,000 regular soldiers at which half were overseas.
Reservists numbered 78,000 in 1899 with local militias providing a further 65,000.
Most soldiers came from the working class as it offered an escape from poverty and unemployment.
Many officers had the private incomes thought necessary to meet the cost off the social life they expected and enjoyed, but purchasing of ranks had been abolished.
At first around 50,000 Boers outnumbered the 27,000 British expeditionary but by the 1st of December 1899 there were 84,000 British soldiers in south Africa.
why was railways important during the Boer War
British controlled the railways setting up the department of military railways and a specialist unit of railway engineers to repair and extend the railway network.
Generals planned to use the railways between towns to invade the Boer strong hold of the orange free state and Transvaal.
The Boers at first found it easy to block or cut tracks but the only alternative was to use what the Boers did, ox-wagons and horses
From May 1900, British attempted to gain control of railways in the Transvaal taking key stations and incorporating Boer railway lines into their own.
What was the state of the Boer army in 1899
On paper Boer army looked no match to the British as they had a smaller army and was practically made up of a civilian militia, when danger loomed, all male civilians were expected to form a commando (a guerrilla tactic) and each man brought his own horse and weapon.
But they had their advantages.
The first Boer war and fighting Zulus proved that most Boer farmers were skilled hunter and trekkers.
The Boer were armed with French and German weapons including the Mauser rifle.
Boers believed that they were in a life or death situation to preserve their culture.
what tactics and organisation did the British use
The main problem for the British was outdated tactics, infantry fought in traditional lines first firing volleys into the mas of an enemy pounded by artillery and finally scattered by cavalry.
British also had the new Lee Enfield rifle which was the fastest firing rifle in service.
Such firepower was assumed to overwhelm the Boers.
but the Boers siege attacks on key towns and British incompetence as cavalry nor artillery came up to expectations.
Who attacked first and how did they attack
Bores attacked first by sieging three towns, which made headlines in newspapers shocking the govt and army, while British waited for reinforcements,
Boers attacked cape colony and natal targeting railway systems to cut communication and isolate garrisons,
During the besieging by the British the Boers showed they were capable and ready for prolonged warfare with artillery.
what three towns were sieged
Ladysmith, Where Sir George white had established a base sieged by 20th October 1899
Kimberly by November was sieged by 7,500 Boers
Mafeking, where Colonel Robert Baden-Powell was sieged by 7,000 Boers
summary of siege on Ladysmith
Of the three sieges this was the most crucial for the British, it was surrounded in November 1899 by 35,000 Boers under general Piet Joubert
The British commander named Sir George white set a defensive position to cover and protect all sides of the base from attacks by doing so he settled for the siege and was criticised for leaving defence to junior officer and only fortifying the northern sector properly
The Boer fought with French siege guns and British with two 4.7inch naval guns.
The Boers only made one attempt to assault on the 6th January 1900 but were driven back
summary of siege on Kimberly
Had been besieged since the 14th of October 1899, the diamond mining town had a garrison 5,000 and enough supplies to resist the 7,500 Boers.
Roberts took command in the relief force.
summary of siege on Mafeking
Mafeking was the furthest north of the sieged towns had the smallest garrison of 1,200 men vs 7,000 Boers.
Colonel Robert Baden-Powell, who was in charge at the time was named a national hero due to his tactics of fake landmines, dummy guns, and the movement of artillery gave the appearance of a larger quantity.
He also armed 300 Africans and used teenage boys as messengers.
When was the Boer War
1899-1902
who came into command after the sieges
Sir Redvers Buller the new command in chief arrived in cape town on 31st October and oversaw responding to the sieges.
what did Redvers Buller do
He split the army into three detachments.
General Lord Methuen with 20,000 men set out to relieve Kimberly and Mafeking
General Gatacre with 3,000 men headed towards Stormberg to secure the northern cape
Buller led the main force 30,000 men to relieve Ladysmith.
what happened when Buller split the British army
the British army suffered a series of defeats. known as Black Week December 1899
On 10th December Gatacre lost over 700 men trying to take Stormberg, due to men being tired with no rations or tactics added to their accidental stumbling in the Boers the call for a general retreat also was miscommunicated and 600 were taken prisoner.
On 11th December Methuen suffered 900 casualties and failed to relive Kimberly
On 15 December Buller with 21,000 men tried to cross Tugla river at Colenso facing 8000 Boers Buller suffered 1,400 casualties and only 8 Boers died
what was the total casualties as a result of Black Week
All three battles, Stormberg, Matjiestfontein and Colenso costed the British 2876 battle casualties in a single week!
What happened to Buller after black week
After the defeat at Colenso General Buller was replaced by Lord Raglan and Lord Kitchener who was appointed as Robert’s chief.
what happened to recruitment after Black week
British recruitment,
learning about the defeats Britons rushed to join the army,
by 1900 180,000 troops were in south Africa
some 30,000 men from British controlled south Africa came forward as volunteers combined with troops from the empire e.g. Australia and Canada.
What did Lord Roberts do to win the Boer war
arrived in south Africa in January 1900 after learning about the death of his son in Colenso, he set to raise moral, lift the sieges and capture Bloemfontein the capital of the orange free state
he issued fresh instructions like frontal attacks to be avoided, flanking the Boers and recon scouting by cavalry mounted with infantry which also chased the Boers
his campaign began in February
1900 Roberts ordered railways to be fixed.
what happened at Spion Kop
General sir Charles warren attacked Boer’s at end on January 1900, they thought they had gained the hilltop but when morning mist cleared it was revealed that the Boers actually had the advantage
poor communication lead to some retreating and defending Spion Kop by time British withdrew left with 1,350 casualties
relief of Ladysmith
Buller was kept on and on 14th February 1900 tried to relieve Ladysmith using a artillery bombardment and make shift bridges which succeeded forced Boer out by 28th February after 118 day siege
relief of Kimberley
Roberts took personal command in the relief force. setting out on 10 feb 1900 with 40,000 men by feb 15th Kimberly relived 124 day siege using superior number and experience (first Boer and Indian wars) to drive Boers back
relief of Mafeking
impressively colonel Robert Baden-Powell commanded 1,200 against 7,000 Boers using tactics such as fake landmines, dummy guns and moving cannons too seem like he had more and used 300 Africans as messengers
12th may 1900 Boer raid defeated by garrison and African fighters
17th may 1900 relive force under Colonel Mahon lifted the siege after 217 days
role of sir Redvers Buller
took control in October 1899 giving impression he was confident that war would be short due to ‘amateur’ Boer opponents
intended to go on offensive but had to relieve besieged towns
lacked scouting and decent map due shortage in horses and cavalry for scouting
he was reluctant to commit attacks and to build up strength in numbers
faced significant defeats at Colenso and Spion Kop due to failure to communicate plans to subordinates and indecision
he advised White to surrender Ladysmith which was unpopular and was a factor in his replacement
led campaign in natal after being replaced where he won at Bergendal, where he used scouting, cavalry mobility and superior organisation by sea and rail
on his return in 1900 to Britain he was given a hero’s welcome but many newspapers attacked his leadership and he was strongly attacked by Leo Amery
When Buller addressed the concerns the government accused him of reaching military discipline and he was dismissed.
Buller was innovator urged men to use natural cover and use creeping artillery barrages
earlier failings ruined his reputation
role of field marshal roberts
took command in Jan 1900
two aims relive besieged towns and launch direct attacks on Boer territories of Bloemfontein (capital of orange free state to show Boer they couldn’t win)
issued new instructions frontal attacks to be avoided and better to outflank Boers, used cavalry and mounted infantry to scout territory and chase Boers
repaired damaged railways so supplies brought quicker,
relived Kimberley 15 feb, Buller got Ladysmith on 28th feb, took Bloemfontein on 13 march 1900
relived Mafeking on 17 may after supply issues and disease halting progression
Boer fighters continued through summer but their opposition fell apart when their political leaders fled the country (Paul Kruger) and British annexed their territory
use of superior numbers and scouting helped massively
Roberts escaped criticism for early failing by shifting blame to Buller and was slow to defend Kitchener for scorched earth policy even though it started under Roberts.
role of field marshal kitcher
took commander in chief from Nov 1900 which he was displeased with British organisation and artillery fire
used scorched earth policy (started by Roberts) due to determination of Boer guerrillas forcing war of attrition, this meant farms, food and livestock destroyed displacing civilians forcing them into concentration camps which would take away supply from Boer guerrillas
concentration camps were low priority, without proper sanitation, healthcare or food diseases killed thousands by end of war 1 in 4 camp internees died form disease (28,000 died), due to incompetence not policy of extermination
blockhouses created (small forts) so army could seal off sections 8,000 created and 4,0000 miles of barbered wire let British establish control with small force of men, used swept across areas to trap enemy used telephone and telegraph cable
war ended treaty of Vereeniging may 1902
22,000 British soldiers died
7,000 Boer soldiers died
cost tax payers 217 million pounds
what effect did Spion Kop have on the public opinion
took photographs of dead British soldiers by illustrated London news,
the times commented that lack of plan had heavy cost
newspaper critical on Buller naming him sir reverse, general strategy and the attitude of the government to offers of help from the colonies
queen Victoria sent 100,000 tins of chocolate to soldiers with knitted clothing, during Black week she was still confident
people eager to read first hand accounts on war one of those from Winston Churchill
impact of Churchill journalism
worked for the morning post as a war correspondent
he helped rescue an ambushed armour train and was captured by Boer’s but managed o escape making him a minor hero in Britain
he re-joined army 1900
he believed the war was just. and dispatched uncensored and revealed deficiencies in the army and recognised skill of Boers
but always believed Britain would win
press coverage shaped opinion at home and photographs had an immediate impacts showing horrors rather than glorifying the war
how did attitudes change towards war
Public opinion was pro war in the beginning, most MP’s supported and so with most Britons
labelled Kaki fever, half a million cheered first corps that left Southampton, men rushed to volunteer
dipped after military failures
but then returned with victories such as relief of Mafeking
popular culture, patriotic and pro army, pro war and anti war songs were created
grudging respect for Boers as brave determined fighters, reminded people of cowboys in wild west
press coverage changing attitudes
Daily mail very imperialist and gave space to talk about empire
daily express, believed country was always right
newspapers reflected public opinion which was pro war
daily chronicles editor was sacked by newspaper owner in 1899 for refusing to be pro war
as war went on press less supportive due to questioning Spion Kop, the rate of which sieges were lifted, why the army couldn’t defeat Boer guerrillas, shortages and concertation camps
politicians and army leaders used newspapers to avoid blame
impact of press on politics
19000 Salisbury called a general election
The Hobhouse report
British campaigner, set up fund for boer families supported by quakers and very few contribution from British public
She investigated camps and managed supplies for camps but military authority obstructed her
She submitted report
Overcrowded tents
Little protection from weather
Food rations inadequate leading to childhood disease such as measles fatal
Water scarce insanitary conditions lead to typhoid
Called for end of scorched earth policy
Lloyd George attacked barbaric methods in South Africa
Sent Millicent faecett to South Africa
To investigate confirmed hobhouse report and recommend increase rations and more nurses
Civil authorities now ran camps
Death rates dropped
1901 Kitchener orders no more Boer families to camps while appearing critics also meant guerrillas had to care for family
reaction to hobhouse report
British reaction to war
impact of second Boer war on British military
When was Black week what did it involve
December 1899
Gatacre lost 700 trying to take stormberg
Meuthuen 900 casualties at magersfontein failing to relive Kimberly
Biller 21,000 men tried to cross Colenso river against 8,000 boers nearly 1,400 casualties compare to 8 boer casualties
