Phase 1 Flashcards
What is Phase 1 known as
Boer Offensive
October - January 1900
Battles within Phase 1
Siege of
- Kimberley
- Makeking
- Ladysmith
Black Week
- Stormberg
- Magersfontein
- Colenso
Spion Kop
Why was Phase 1 so embarrassing
The British had spent the last decade provoking the Boers, yet saw so many losses. The Boers attacked the day after war was declared
Many soldiers were captured and treated as POWs
What was special about the towns chosen
British towns, surrounded by Boers
By threatening civilians, they were forcing the British into surrender, which was their only realistic option as they would not stand a chance in field combat
Siege of Kimberley
124 days 14 Oct to 15 Feb 1900
4,000 Boers trapped 500 British soldiers and 50,000 citizens
Mining town, connected to Cecil Rhodes, who was in there during the siege
Was never in any real danger of being captured, since it was too big to be fully enveloped
Bombarded by ‘Long Tom’ (Crusot guns from 6-7 miles away) from 4 miles away, and once smoke was spitted from a watchtower, a 15 second warning was given for citizens to take cover
