The war often called the “Boer War” is the Second Boer War. The first Boer war 1880–1881, was a relatively brief and small-scale conflict. This video is about the second Boer war 1899-1902 which was the first major international conflict of the twentieth century. It was fought between the British empire and the two independent Boer republics of the orange free state and the south African Republic (Transvaal Republic). After a hard-fought war, the two independent republics lost and were absorbed into the British Empire. The first year of the war was mainly a conventional war unfortunately as always seems to be the case the British army was fighting with the last wars tactics. But this time they were up against an enemy with the best weapons that money could buy, better tactics and they were excellent shots. Were as the British army was still relying on mass manoeuvring, frontal assaults and volley fire with disastrous results. Eventually they changed they tactics and won the conventional war then came a long period of guerrilla warfare which the British finally won through the use of “scorched earth” tactics, including the use of concentration camps, however these were not places of forced labour, systematic abuse and mass murder as they would become under the Nazis although conditions in the British run camps were severely criticized. The deaths in the camps were mainly coursed by disease through the unsanitary conditions due to the incompetence and stupidity of the people running them rather than malice. Unfortunately the army did not treat its troops any better of the 22,000 British soldiers who died 7,792 were battle casualties, the rest were through disease.
For anybody that’s interested in 20th century military and home front collecting have a look at my web site to see my collection.There are also more videos plus speeches and news broadcasts of the 20th century. Plus veteran recording. And don’t miss the veterans section look for the poppy.
http://server.microlite16.com/josephs-militaria-and-homefront-collection.co.uk/