The 1st Anglo-Boer War: The Battle of Bronkhorstspruit and the reasons for war

Hi guys. Please keep comments relevant. I welcome anything regarding the actual conflict discussed but I do delete political statements or hate speech.

Fantastic, great to see the Anglo-Boer War covered

Awesome info, good video. Interestingly the 577 - 450 Martini Henry used by both sides, had a 95 - 98% kill rate wherever it hit do to shock & blood loss. The Boers were excellent marksmen, and really a force to be reckoned with. Britian also began a " marksmanship" program that paid off in WW1.

My new favourite YouTube channel on one my favourite subjects. Great presentation style. 👍

Enjoyed it, thanks.

👍Excellent job again Chris. Keep up the good work.!

Brilliant once again my friend.

More great work from you mate. Very interesting.

Excellent info mate, well done. Very enjoyable.

Thanks so much!

Cemented to keep them from being kicked down.

Brilliant 👏

This reminds me of an MA assignment on the FWW 'chateau generals'. As the last conflict where generals had been in the front line I suggested that veterans of the Boer Wars had expected them to be there again in the FWW and were dismayed when they were not, not understanding why.

Super interesting! Thank you! Regards from Canada 🇨🇦

Superb video !

At last a documentary about the British/Boer conflicts without obvious bias! I differ as to the acquiescence of the Boers to the annexation of their Republic, while certainly elements in the towns may have welcomed the annexation' the vast majority of Boers never did. These events happened a mere 40 years after the Great Trek and many people who had left the Cape Colony to escape British Rule and subsequently Natal, for the same reason, was still alive. The main reason for this annexation being successful was the ineffectual President of the Transvaal, Thomas Francois Burgers (a cousin of my great-grandfather). He was a cleric from the Cape Colony, with no political experience who had been stripped from his position on grounds of his religious liberalism. He may have been a good, kind man, but a poor choice to lead a country. He studied overseas and in 1858 married Mary Bryson, an English lady, in London. It is quite probable that he welcomed the annexation and put up no resistance because of pro British Sympathies. It must also be noted that he grew up under British rule in the Cape colony and was "imported" to the Transvaal to become President. With the Head of State agreeing to the annexation it made this illegal act possible. As to the reasons for the annexation; 1 British imperialism. Sir Bartle Frere, the British governor of the Cape Colony was an arch imperialist. He supported the idea of British territory stretching from the Cape to Cairo.The British colonies of the Cape and Natal had to be confederated with the Boer republics of the Orange Free State and Transvaal to make this possible. 2 The discovery of gold in the Transvaal Lowveld near Barberton, during the Burgers presidency. After the British recognised the independence of the Transvaal and Free State in 1852 and 1854 respectively, Britain had shown no interest in these states, apart from seizing the diamond fields of Kimberley from the Boers. The discovery of gold again, resulted in Britain wishing to control possible mineral riches. 3 Transvaal burgers had helped Cethswayo, the Zulu king to defeat his rivals. This resulted in him rewarding them with land in what is now the Vryheid district in Natal. They formed a small republic, the Niuewe Republic, which was soon absorbed into the Transvaal. This brought Transvaal territory to within reach of the sea. There was also talk of him granting land to the Boers in Tonga Land (Kosi Bay), adjacent to the Portuguese territory of Mozambique, which would have given Transvaal access to the sea. Before this happened Britain had to gain control in the Transvaal and Cethswayo had to be eliminated, whence the annexation of the Transvaal in 1877 and the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.

Fantastic I have a Zulu War Medal to an Army Service Corps chap who was wounded at this action. Do we know the story of the POW’s?

Thanks great video. I'm struggling to find exactly where the battle took place. Can you help, coordinates, main road etc. TIA

Hats off, great tour! I could almost feel as if I were there, as indeed I have been on one occasion. At least the modern road makes it accessible, but I wish they would keep the bloody grass down. Some goats are needed, I think. Looking forward to your Majuba video.

Great video Christian