I have long noticed that each and every question about the Boer War can be guaranteed to prompt the same responses from a certain type of person. Indeed, so predictable is this, that I have come to think of it as ‘Boer War Bingo’, with the aim of...
I stumbled across this entertaining alternative reality online: https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuid-Afrikaansche_Republiek Second Liberation War [ edit | edit source ] A border incident, intentionally caused by Rhodes and its accomplices, led to...
Despite the ‘head in the sand’ attitude adopted in London, Kruger’s belligerence had been pushing Southern Africa towards war for years. The much-delayed Boer ultimatum was finally sent to the British Colonial Office early on...
‘Safes had been blown to pieces with dynamite; the lamps and furniture had been smashed to atoms; the papers, tickets and books had been torn to pieces and lay strewn over the floors. The farmhouses had also suffered in a like manner, valued...
It was on this day in 1899 that the Transvaal mobilised her forces. Calling out the Commandos was an enormous step for the republic, given that virtually every burgher was obliged to turn out for Commando service. By mobilising, Kruger made it...
A couple of days ago, I stumbled across a review of KK&K penned by self-declared ‘aspiring historian’ John Boje – not a fellow I have ever heard of, I must confess. Alas, it would seem that Mr Boje either did not fully read the book...
Continuing the ‘methods of Bar-Boer-ism’ theme, here are some diary extracts from the Rev. Gerard Bailey, Anglican Vicar of Dundee, written after his parish was over-run, annexed and thoroughly looted by the ‘noble’ Boers...
The National-Party-approved narrative of the Boer War frantically tried to portray the Boers as innocent, noble warriors, heroically standing up to vile, rapacious, cowardly British Tommies after the British Empire launched an unprovoked attack...
Following on from the article on the 27th of August, here are some photos taken at Bergendal.
General Hunter’s crushing victory at the Brandwater Basin (see blog posting in July 2018 for details) had a knock-on effect further afield. By destroying the Boer forces in the NE of the Orange Free State, Hunter removed any lingering concerns...
When conversation turns to the Boer War, I have lost count of the times I have been assured – usually by a drunk in some pub in some little South African dorp – that ‘the Boers won every battle in the war’. This, or the equally nonsensical claim...
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