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The Boer war was noted for a number of innovations. It was the first war where accurate to 2,000 metres Mauser rifles (Boer side only), with smokeless ammunition and antiseptic surgery were employed. Combatants could be taken out at long range without their enemies working out where the shots came from, soldiers had a much better chance of surviving wounds. With one side, the British, having force size definitely on their side, the war soon transitioned from a series of set piece battles to a guerrilla fight across a wide country. The barbed wire and entrenchments that would stifle mobility were 15 years in the future; the combat was one of mobility by a large force (the British) against a better armed (7.92 mm 98K Mauser (Boers) vs .303 Lee Metford (Brits)) and skilful enemy (the Boers). Horse mounted soldiers who used their horses for mobility but fought on foot were the most combat capable arm. Cavalry units still carried their shock weapons, but for the most part left their lances and swords with their horses, and fought on foot with their rifles; infantry units were quickly mounted. Australian soldiers with their horsemanship and shooting skills honed from infancy in a wide land where shooting was both a sport and a profession were very effective. This page lists the engagements Australians were involved in by time line, and shows an interactive map to help site visitors understand where the events took place. At the time of publication, this is a work in progress, we are still assembling all of the events. Thanks very much to Major John Baines, the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Historian for providing the combat event details.
Mouse over the yellow site label to find out what happened there, then click to be taken to a description of the event.
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© National Boer War Memorial Association Inc ABN 49 709 547 198
 
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