The influence of the Anglo-Boer War on early 20TH century warfare

ABSTRACT / SAMEVATTTING

In warfare it is usual that the vanquished, in retrospect, realise that they had learned many lessons leading to their downfall. In the case of the Anglo-Boer War it is the opposite. The British learned many lessons from the Boers as identified by the Royal Commission on the war in South Africa. Shortcomings regarding camouflage, concealment, the use of trenches, and musketry were identified, amongst other aspects. Britain and here colonies reacted immediately with drastic changes to their training manuals. Musketry received special attention, not only by the armed forces but also by civilians. Furthermore, in December 1902 the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (S.M.L.E.) was adopted, which had as many Boer Mauser features as the basic Lee rifle would allow. However, the British wanted their own “Mauser” with the result that in 1910 a Small Arms Committee was tasked to develop a completely new rifle. This led to the development of the Pattern 13 rifle, the Pattern 14 and the American Model 17, all of which were essentially Boer Mauser clones. It is with these Model 17s that 75% of American troops entered the First World War, swinging the tide to an Allied victory. There is thus a case to be made that the Boer War and especially the Boer Mauser had a major effect on early 20th century history.

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