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

Martin Marix Evans provides a 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. This brutal war of attrition which devastated the South African economy and cost the 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.

Contents

• The Boer Republics
• To Wage a War
• Beseiged!
• The British Offensive
• Relief!
• The Chimera of Victory
• Total War
• Bibliography
• Index
• List of Maps and Plans