The Boer Commandos: Guerrilla Warfare and the Scorched Earth
The Story of South Africa: Empire, Apartheid, and Transformation — Fexingo HistoryPlay episode
Show notes
This episode shifts from the concentration camps to the battlefield, exploring the Boer commandos' transition to guerrilla warfare after the British captured Pretoria in 1900. Lucas and Luna discuss the unconventional tactics of leaders like Christiaan de Wet and Koos de la Rey, the use of horses and mobility, and the British response under Lord Kitchener, including blockhouses and drifts. They examine the social structure of the commando system, the role of women and children on the run, and the devastating impact of the scorched earth policy on Boer civilians. The episode also touches on the controversial 'handsuppers' and 'bitter-enders' that divided Afrikaner communities. Ending with a reflection on how guerrilla warfare shaped the peace negotiations and the Union of South Africa. #BoerWar #GuerrillaWarfare #ChristiaanDeWet #KoosDeLaRey #LordKitchener #ScorchedEarth #Blockhouses #BitterEnders #Handsuppers #SouthAfricanHistory #MilitaryHistory #Empire #BoerCommandos #SecondBoerWar #Kitchener #DeWet #OrangeFreeState #Transvaal Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
