Boer Commando
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The Boer Commando (also known as Boer Guerrilla) were Boer farmers who fought during the Second Boer War in South Africa. They were part of the South African Republic (informally known as the Transvaal Republic) and the Orange Free State who fought the British Empire.
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[edit] Background
After the failure of the Bloemfontein Conference between Transvaal President Paul Kruger and British High Commissioner Alfred Milner in May 1899, the Boers sought the establishment of a commando as a solution to fight the British. This was due to the lack of funds to pay for a conventional and regular army.[1]
[edit] Structure
[edit] Weaponry
Boer Commandos used German-made Mauser (Model 95) riffles which were highly effective against the British during the Second Boer War; these proved deadly at long ranges, prompting the British to design their own Mauser inspired high velocity cartridge and rifle.
[edit] Battles
Between October 1899 and May 1902, the Boer Commando fought the following battles:[2]
- Battle of Talana Hill - October 20, 1899
- Battle of Elandslaagte - October 21, 1899
- Battle of Rietfontein - October 24, 1899
- Battle of Pepworth - October 30, 1899
- Battle of Nicholson - October 30, 1899
- Battle of Belmont - November 23, 1899
- Action of Graspan - November 25, 1899
- Battle of Modder River - November 28, 1899
- Battle of Stormberg - December 10, 1899
- Battle of Magersfontein - December 11, 1899
- Battle of Colenso - December 15, 1899
- Battle of Platrand - January 6, 1900
- Battle of Spion Kop - January 23/24, 1900
- Battle of Vaalkrans - February 5/7, 1900
- Battle of Paardeberg - February 18, 1900
- Battle of Poplar Grove - March 7, 1900
- Battle of Driefontein - March 10, 1900
- Battle of Sunnah's Post - March 31, 1900
- Battle of Mostertshoek - April 3/4, 1900
- Battle of Boshof - April 5, 1900
- Battle of Doornkop - May 29, 1900
- Battle of Biddulphsberg - May 29, 1900
- Battle of Roodewal - June 7, 1900
- Battle of Diamond Hill - June 12, 1900
- Battle of Bergendal - August 27, 1900
- Battle of Leliefontein - November 6/7, 1900
- Battle of Nooitgedacht - December 13, 1900
- Battle of Vlakfontein - May 28, 1901
- Battle of Elandspoort - September 17, 1901
- Battle of Blood River Poort - September 17, 1901
- Battle of Moedwil - September 30, 1901
- Battle of Tweefontein - December 25, 1901
- Battle of Tweebosch - March 7, 1902
- Battle of Roodewal - April 11, 1902
- Battle of Holkrans - May 6, 1902
[edit] See also
[edit] References and notes
- ^ Boer Commando System (html). angloboerwar.com. Retrieved on April 3, 2007.
- ^ Knight, Ian (2004). "Chronology", Boer Commando 1876-1902. Osprey Publishing, 7. ISBN 1-8417-6648-8.
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