14 - The South African War, 1899–1902

Summary

The political and economic struggle for control over South Africa between the British and the Boers erupted a second time in October 1899. A Boer offensive resulted in the sieges of Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafeking, threatening loyal British settlers and economic interests. Against his better judgment, General Buller divided his forces to satisfy immediate political and public interests. The result was the disastrous 'Black Week' of mid-December 1899, when all three British armies were stopped in their tracks at the Battles of Magersfontein, Stormberg, and Colenso. Supplies were readied, volunteers were recruited, and more divisions were mobilized. Over the next year, thanks to an overwhelming numerical advantage, the British regrouped and their advance succeeded in relieving the besieged towns and capturing and the Boer capitals. The Boer commandos in the field, however, refused to surrender and abandoning set-piece battles, they turned to guerrilla tactics. Lord Kitchener’s employment of a blockhouse system, a network of concentration camps, and scorched earth policy eventually broke Boer morale and their ability to continue the struggle. The South African War was Britain’s largest and most costly small war. Nearly half of a million British and Imperial troops fought; 22,000 never came home.