Louis Botha's War : The Campaign in German South-West Africa, 1914-1915

Louis Botha was prime minister of the Union of South Africa when Britain declared war on Germany in 1914. As South Africa was a dominion of the British Empire, Botha was asked to lead his country on a campaign against the Germans across the border in South West Africa.In light of the relatively recent Anglo-Boer War, many Afrikaners balked at the request, but the prime minister was committed politically to unifying Boer and Brit and came down heavily in favor of taking up arms against Germany. So began a war on two fronts. While Union Defence Force troops gathered on the border and prepared to launch an offensive, a handful of Botha’s former comrades incited an Afrikaner rebellion intent on keeping South Africa out of the war, or worse, siding with Germany.Louis Botha’s War is the story of how a former Boer War fighting-general-turned-politician crushed a rebellion, rallied his country’s first united army to fight in harsh conditions and defeated the enemy in the Great War’s first successful Allied campaign. Botha’s actions and these events would determine the fate of South West Africa, and its relationship with its southern neighbor, for the next eighty years. A mere twelve years after fighting the British in the Anglo-Boer War, Louis Botha went to war again – this time on Britain's side. As prime minister of the Union of South Africa at the outbreak of the Great War, Botha agreed to lead his country on a campaign against the Germans across the border in South-West Africa. But first he would have to deal with a revolt from fellow Afrikaners who would rather take up arms against him than side with the old enemy. Louis Botha's War is the story of how a former Boer War general crushed a rebellion and rallied his country's first united army to fight a better-equipped enemy in harsh conditions. It is a tale of thirsty men and horses trekking over miles of barren desert; German aviators flying above in rickety aeroplanes; the unusual presence of a prime minister's wife on the field of battle; and a fabled gold-filled safe at the bottom of a lake. Adam Cruise recreates these fascinating events from journals, memoirs and documents, and... A mere twelve years after fighting the British in the Anglo-Boer War, Louis Botha went to war again – this time on Britain’s side. As prime minister of the Union of South Africa at the outbreak of the Great War, Botha agreed to lead his country on a campaign against the Germans across the border in South-West Africa. But first he would have to deal with a revolt from fellow Afrikaners who would rather take up arms against him than side with the old enemy. Louis Botha’s War is the story of how a former Boer War general crushed a rebellion and rallied his country’s first united army to fight a better-equipped enemy in harsh conditions. It is a tale of thirsty men and horses trekking over miles of barren desert; German aviators flying above in rickety aeroplanes; the unusual presence of a prime minister’s wife on the field of battle; and a fabled gold-filled safe at the bottom of a lake. Adam Cruise recreates these fascinating events from journals, memoirs and documents, and describes how the remote battle sites look today. He also explores the effects of Botha’s campaign, which determined the relationship between South Africa and its northern protectorate until well into the twentieth century. This is an absorbing chronicle of the exploits of a remarkable man who has been strangely forgotten by history, but whom Winston Churchill described as the greatest general he had ever known. A Mere Twelve Years After Fighting The British In The Anglo-boer War, Louis Botha Went To War Again - This Time On Britain's Side. As Prime Minister Of The Union Of South Africa At The Outbreak Of The Great War, Botha Agreed To Lead His Country On A Campaign Against The Germans Across The Border In South-west Africa. But First He Would Have To Deal With A Revolt From Fellow Afrikaners Who Would Rather Take Up Arms Against Him Than Side With The Old Enemy. Louis Botha's War Is The Story Of How A Former Boer War General Crushed A Rebellion And Rallied His Country's First United Army To Fight A Better-equipped Enemy In Harsh Conditions. It Is A Tale Of Thirsty Men And Horses Trekking Over Miles Of Barren Desert; German Aviators Flying Above In Rickety Aeroplanes; The Unusual Presence Of A Prime Minister's Wife On The Field Of Battle; And A Fabled Gold-filled Safe At The Bottom Of A Lake. Adam Cruise Recreates These Fascinating Events From Journals, Memoirs And Documents, And Describes How The Remote Battle Sites Look Today. He Also Explores The Effects Of Botha's Campaign, Which Determined The Relationship Between South Africa And Its Northern Protectorate Until Well Into The Twentieth Century. This Is An Absorbing Chronicle Of The Exploits Of A Remarkable Man Who Has Been Strangely Forgotten By History, But Whom Winston Churchill Described As The Greatest General He Had Ever Known. -- Back Cover. Adam Cruise. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Louis Botha was prime minister of the Union of South Africa when Britain declared war on Germany in 1914. As South Africa was a dominion of the British Empire, Botha was asked to lead his country on a campaign against the Germans across the border in South West Africa. In light of the relatively recent Anglo-Boer War, many Afrikaners balked at the request, but the prime minister was committed politically to unifying Boer and Brit and came down heavily in favor of taking up arms against Germany. So began a war on two fronts. While Union Defence Force troops gathered on the border and prepared to launch an offensive, a handful of Bothas former comrades incited an Afrikaner rebellion intent on keeping South Africa out of the war, or worse, siding with Germany. Louis Bothas War is the story of how a former Boer War fighting-general-turned-politician crushed a rebellion, rallied his countrys first united army to fight in harsh conditions and defeated the enemy in the Great Wars first successful Allied campaign. Bothas actions and these events would determine the fate of South West Africa, and its relationship with its southern neighbor, for the next eighty years.