The Boer War: South Africa 1899-1902 (Battles and Histories)

Martin Marix Evans' splendidly detailed account of the events of the Boer War, a conflict which marked a turning point in the development of military technology. Complete with first-hand accounts, and over 150 contemporary maps and photographs. "The South African War of 1899-1902, known variously as the Second Boer War, the Second War for Freedom (or Independence) or the Second Anglo-Boer War, was, in the perspective of 20th-century conflicts, a small affair. The numbers of troops engaged and casualties suffered in battle were few, as was common in most 19th century wars. On the other hand the impact of the war upon the civilian population and its political consequences in Britain, the Empire, Europe and America were huge. The Boer War also proved to be a turning-point in the development of military technology. It saw the introduction of the Maxim machine-gun, the use of rolling artillery barrages and the first outbreak of large scale guerilla warfare, alongside the hideous consequences of blundering attempts to combat it that left a lasting legacy of bitterness. A small affair, perhaps, but with massive impact." "The political aspects of the Boer War and its position in the history of imperialism lie outside the scope of this book, but the memory of the war is at its heart. Here the author's concern is to describe what, where and how things happened. The narrative draws heavily on first-hand accounts, often conflicting. The events recounted have been selected both for their importance in the development of the conflict and for their accessibility on the ground today. Where the reader is unable to inspect the ground in person, it is intended that the modern colour photographs will help. The illustrations are chosen from contemporary photographs and, where possible, contemporary maps. It is believed that some maps are published here for the first time in almost a century." This brutal of attrition which devastated the South African economy and cost the war British over $22 billion in 1899, triggered by Cecil Rhodes' failed Jameson raid. It marked the end of the old wars of empire and the beginning of a new more recognizably 20th century style of warfare. It saw the invention of the 'concentration camp' and saw the British develop their own brand of guerilla warfare to combat the Boers. Eventually defeated by superior numbers and a scorched earth policy, the Boers finally surrendered, but a legacy of bitterness had been spawned which would last for decades. The Boer War devastated the South African economy and left a legacy of bitterness. It saw the invention of the concentration camp and a new style of guerilla warfare. This history of the campaign includes artwork of weapons and uniforms, with contemporary photography from the period. 28.pdf......Page 32 Boer 1 (ocr).pdf......Page 1 Blank.pdf......Page 4 file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Meenie/My%20Documents/EBooks/blank.txt......Page 0 Boer 2 (ocr).pdf......Page 60 Boe3(ocr).pdf......Page 112 In October 1899 Britain, and thus the British Empire, went to war with the Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State.