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The battle was indecisive because both generals divided their forces. The first battle took place at Talana, near Dundee in northern Natal on 29 October 1899. (From Amsterdamsche Courant, 23 March 1900) All of Europe's powers seem to be standing by, watching, but not helping. The Boer offensive October 1899 – November 1899Ĭartoon: The Transvaal and the Orange Free State are seen as virgins, tied to a burning stake, which is lit by John Bull, the British version of America’s Uncle Sam.

Britain suffered a number of significant defeats. They underestimated the Boers who only had 27 000 men in their commandos. The British government was embarrassed by the army's initial lack of success against what they called a backward, incompetent and rural enemy. More than 15 000 black people were killed. It cost more than 200 million pounds and more than 22 000 men were lost to Britain. It was the bloodiest, longest and most expensive war Britain engaged in between 18. The Boers were conquered in the end, but a great deal of property and lives were lost on both sides. The first phase of the war was one of the set-piece battles, but from July 1900 onwards the Boers changed tactics and they conducted a very efficient guerrilla war that kept nearly 500 000 British troops occupied until 1902. The two Boer republics that were involved in the conflict were the Transvaal and the Orange Free State.

The British forces thought that the war would be won easily, but they were wrong.

On 9 October 1899 the SAR issued an ultimatum to Britain and two days later, on 11 October the war was officially declared between Britain and the Boers. The flag of the Boer Republic of the Orange Free State