The Boer War

Résumé du livre

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.