英國陸軍與南非戰爭(1899-1902)

Abstract

The South African War (1899-1902, or called Anglo-Boer War or Boer War), which was a war between the British Empire and two Boer nations, was one of the greatest wars in Southern African History. The British Empire eventually conquered the Republic of South Africa (also known as Transvaal) and the Orange Free State in 1902. The South African War was an experiment of new weapons such as Cartridge Rifle, Smokeless Powder, Quick Firing Gun and Maxim Gun, which were equipped by the British Army and the Boer Commando. Although the British Army has the newest weapons, they can not oppose against the two Boer nations with old military theories at the beginning of the war. The British Army was defeated in Magersfontein, Stormberg and Colenso at the “Black Week” in December 1899, which shocked the British Army and the British Empire. For the British Empire, military reform was the most primary issue after the war. The Boer tactic not only impacted British military theories, but also impacted military theories of Europe. The South African War was a cruel war in the nineteenth century, especially for the damage of civilians. About 26,370 civilians died in Concentrate Camp, which was uncommon in nineteen century war. It became a public issue at that time. The leader of Liberal Party, Henry Campbell-Bannerman, claimed that Lord Kitchener’s military policy was a “Method of Barbarism”. Humanity also emerged from the South African War which resulted in the Hague Convention and the Geneva Convention. By the limitations of Hague Conventions, Dum Dum bullet can not be used in South African War. The treatment of war prisoners was also improved by the Geneva Convention. It was an achievement of humanity in the South African War.