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Anglo-Boer War books - Part 2

© Alistair Boddy-Evans

In the previous article I reviewed a chronology of the Anglo-Boer War. The one thing missing from this great book was a detailed reference of army lists, decorations, numbers and equipment. The Hall Handbook of the Anglo Boer War by Darrell Hall is thus the perfect complement. Hall's book takes all the hard slog of finding details about who fought where and when (for example, it lists the ZAR commandos in full and gives their battles). This book was delivered to the publishers only weeks before Major Hall died, and was further edited by Fransjohan Pretorius and Gilbert Torlage.

There are brief biographies of the leading players on both sides, there is a break down of the British forces by composition, with details of divisional structure, examples of how an artillery battery was deployed, uniform and equipment, the 1899 regiment titles and the current equivalents and where they fought, and a review of the command structure. There is a chapter on casualties, prisoners and war graves - with details about typical medical arrangements and how prisoners of war on both sides were dealt with. In addition there is a chapter on Black, Indian and Coloured participation in the war - which will hopefully aid the dismissal of the myth that this was a white's only conflict.

This is an excellent distillation of facts, presented in a open and accessible manner. It avoids the pitfalls of personal interpretation and propaganda and is a must for anyone who reenacts the battles of the Anglo-Boer War on the tabletop.

For those of you who have read Deneys Reitz's Commando and feel the need for an antidote to this Afrikaaner's own "Forest Gump" there is Life on Commando during the Anglo-Boer War by Fransjohan Pretorius. This seminal work is the result of a ten year dissertation for a PhD and was originally published in Afrikaans. The degree of academic endeavour is apparent throughout the book - it can provide the reader with a feeling for the holistic experience of being on commando. Chapters cover diverse topics such as provisions, clothing and tents, arms and munitions, the laager, religion, discipline, commando solidarity, the attitude towards and contact with blacks, and the attitude towards women. The quality of this book's content will leave you reeling (and revelling) in both atmosphere and knowledge.

Forget about playing against invisible Boers on the gaming table - try a skirmish level campaign between a commando and British Scouts.

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