The Rise of the Empire

"This will be the largest mobile corps in the world, bar none." Caliput couldn't help sighing when he looked at the cavalry that could not be seen in front of him. He originally had a high estimate of the number of Boers' horses. During the Franco-Prussian War, four German soldiers could be allocated one horse. So to double the size of the Boer army, it would be okay to divide an average of 2 infantry into a horse, right? But what he didn't expect was that he was still broken! \u003c/p\u003eEven in normal army formations, a Boer infantryman could carry 2 horses, one for riding and one for carrying his own supplies... \u003c/p\u003e On average, a soldier can get more than 2 horses. This is not counting the horses of various logistics units! (This paragraph is basically true. The Boers who fought in the local area did have one person and two horses. At least at the beginning.)\u003c/p\u003eIn the two Boer republics and the Eastern Cape area, basically all are Boers The gathering area, where the Boers can get food and horses at any time. When the time came to October 1898, after the winter had passed, the Boers finally decided to challenge the most powerful empire in the world for their own freedom and property. \u003c/p\u003eThe main force of the Boer Army from the Transvaal, about 20,000 people, marched towards the Ladysmith area under the command of President Kruger, and they were accompanied by 3,000 American Volunteers under the command of Pershing . As an ally, the Orange Free State stated that it would block all British troops attacking the Boer Republic from other directions. \u003c/p\u003e"As expected, the British concentrated almost all their elite troops in the Eastern Cape in Ladysmith." When the investigators sent back the information, Kruger breathed a sigh of relief . Everything went according to the plan before the war. Whether it's yourself or the British. \u003c/p\u003eThe military power of the Boers has grown considerably in a few years with the help of Germany. Meanwhile the British were not idle. You can question the efficiency of the British government, but you cannot question the capabilities of British intelligence agencies. Intelligence from the Boer Republic has been flowing from South Africa to London. Although there are many mistakes in it, it does not prevent the British from having a general understanding of the Boer Army. \u003c/p\u003e"The Boers have realized the modernization of the army with the help of certain countries, and the old militia system has become a thing of the past. It is possible to form a light infantry division and several highly mobile cavalry units. They already have a certain amount of machine guns, semi-automatic rifles and mortars. If guerrilla warfare is carried out, it will be very troublesome. Therefore, once the war starts, we must launch Take the initiative to attack, so that the Boers are forced to fight us." Major General Buller, the commander-in-chief of the British Army in South Africa, wrote in a telegram. \u003c/p\u003eFrom a series of information, the British have the following understanding of the military strength of the Boers. First, the Boers can organize at least 50,000 troops during wartime. leading. Second, the Boers will be highly mobile, and it is very likely that each of them will be able to get a horse. Third, they lacked heavy artillery and were no match for the British in a frontal engagement. \u003c/p\u003eWhen the talks in Bloemfontein failed, the two sides stepped up their preparations. This time the British did not think that a few thousand people could sweep the entire Boer Republic as they did in history. They regarded their opponent as a medium-sized agricultural country and deployed troops from all over to strengthen South Africa's military strength. \u003c/p\u003e Once mobilized, the United Kingdom is still very scary. A complete division was drawn from the British mainland, and a cavalry brigade, two infantry regiments and some artillery from India were dispatched as early as after the failure of the Bloemfontein talks. The mobilization was completed on the third day. A total of 19 batches of troops drawn by the British from Egypt, Sudan, Gibraltar, Canada and even Australia began to concentrate on South Africa.

\u003c/p\u003eIn the original plan, Kruger planned to push back the war time by 2 to 3 years. In his view, although the armament of the two Boer republics had been completed, the Boers under British rule in the Eastern Cape Still lacking enough weapons and training, if possible, he intends to use the remaining time to arm some compatriots under the British rule, but unfortunately, when the British decided to fight, the situation in South Africa quickly turned to the British side Tilt, Kruger will fight if he doesn't want to! \u003c/p\u003eWhen the war officially started, neither side had completed the final preparations. The British had concentrated a powerful combat force on the east coast of South Africa. Under the command of General Buller, the total force was 10,000. The army of about 100 people went to the front line of Natal, which happened to be at the junction of the two Boer republics. According to the original plan, they would cooperate with the main force of the British army in the south to launch a flank attack. \u003c/p\u003e But it is a pity that before the main force of the British in the south was concentrated, the Boers first launched an attack, and the Buller Army at their waist was naturally the first target to be removed! According to their own estimates, the British, with nearly one division, a regular regiment equipped with complete artillery and cavalry should have no problem facing the Boers. Although the number of opponents may be relatively large, the British firmly believe that they have an advantage in artillery. Tal can no longer hold the front line, and he can retreat to Ladysmith City. \u003c/p\u003eThus, the first large-scale main battle between the two sides began. Both sides are full of confidence in themselves. The movement speed of the Boer troops, which can be called almost all cavalry, exceeded the expectations of the British. With some personnel and supplies moving by rail, the remaining large infantry moved quickly by riding, and finally arrived before the British. Sping Mountain, and successfully occupied it. \u003c/p\u003eAlthough the size and equipment level of the British troops far exceeded the historical level, the huge troops and heavy equipment also slowed down the progress of the British. When Buhler successfully arrived at Ladysmith with the main force, Subsequent more general supplies and shells are still in Durban Port.... The horses and livestock of the Boers can be pulled directly from the farm, and the British have nowhere to find them if they want to collect them! \u003c/p\u003e"We were suddenly attacked without completing our preparations." After the war, Buhler described his encounter in this way, but before the battle broke out, the British general was still full of confidence. Knowing that the Sping Mountain Pass has been lost, the opponent has poured in, and the Natal front line has existed in name only, Buhler still decides to fight the opponent in the wild. \u003c/p\u003eOf course, I have to admit that he also has his own difficulties. It is easy to hide in the city, but there is no longer a complete British army in the entire Eastern Cape area. Surround yourself and concentrate your forces to attack other places, the British have nothing to do! \u003c/p\u003eThe third update is ~~~, please subscribe and support~~~! \u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e