| Blackhorse MP | 04 Jul 2022 5:43 a.m. PST |
I'm looking for a good read about the 1st Boer War that features an overview of the whole war as opposed to any one particular battle. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. |
| parrskool | 04 Jul 2022 5:54 a.m. PST |
Goodbye Dolly Gray by Rayne Kruger |
| Andrew LA | 04 Jul 2022 6:20 a.m. PST |
The South African Military History Journal has a lot of its issues on line for free
link Vol 5 No 2 December 1980 has loads of articles about that war |
| NCC1717 | 04 Jul 2022 7:20 a.m. PST |
Lehmann, The First Boer War: link Barthorp, The Anglo-Boer Wars: link |
Nick Stern  | 04 Jul 2022 8:00 a.m. PST |
parrskool, Goodbye Dolly Gray is a fine book, but Blackhorse PM is asking about the 1st Boer War, not the 2nd. |
| Nick Stern | 04 Jul 2022 8:05 a.m. PST |
The Battle of Majuba Hill: The Transvaal Campaign, 1880–1881
by John Laband is good. Any book on Majuba is going to cover the whole campaign. The Osprey book on Majuba is also good and even has suggestions on how to wargame the campaign. |
| Blackhorse MP | 04 Jul 2022 9:48 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the quick replies fellas. My own research turned up the Lehmann and Laband books as possibilities. I'll probably get them because they're available on abebooks.com for $12.50 USD for both, so the price is right. Also that SA Military History Journal looks great as well! Thanks again for the help. |
| 4DJones | 04 Jul 2022 9:49 a.m. PST |
The Transvaal War, by Lady Bellairs, covers the whole war, and the sieges, in some detail. |
| Col Durnford | 04 Jul 2022 1:52 p.m. PST |
Lehmann's book is my go to reference. |
| Blackhorse MP | 04 Jul 2022 2:48 p.m. PST |
Col D…Glad to hear that, as I just bought it about 4 hours ago. |
 Old Contemptible | 04 Jul 2022 11:53 p.m. PST |
Lot's of books on the 2nd Boer War not that many on the 1st. |
| Col Durnford | 05 Jul 2022 11:21 a.m. PST |
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| Blackhorse MP | 06 Jul 2022 3:59 p.m. PST |
Old C, that's what I've discovered. I have Thomas Pakenham's "The Boer War" which is a great 2nd war book which I read back in the '90's. I always intended to read up on the 1st war…just didn't think it would take 30 years! Thanks Col D. |
| Old Contemptible | 06 Jul 2022 7:26 p.m. PST |
I have nine books on he 2nd Boer War, not a one on the first. I game the 2nd Boer War. I have a large collection of figures for it. |
| Nick Stern | 07 Jul 2022 4:47 p.m. PST |
If you game both the Anglo-Zulu War and the 2nd Boer War, then you're pretty well set for figures for the 1st Boer War. I game both. |
| Old Contemptible | 12 Jul 2022 1:17 a.m. PST |
Nope, the British were still in red for the 1st Boer War. In the 2nd Boer War they were in khaki. I can't imagine wearing red coats in front of Afrikaner Mausers. link link |
| Old Contemptible | 12 Jul 2022 1:31 a.m. PST |
Some of the Naval and Marine officers insisted on wearing their blue uniforms with polished boots, belts and scabbard. They were easy targets. The Highlander's at first went in with Kilts and they quickly started wearing khaki aprons in front. But once they went prone the Boers were merciless and shot them up. The worst were the white gaiters they wore. The Boers just kept shooting at their ankles. |
| Nick Stern | 12 Jul 2022 12:39 p.m. PST |
Old Contemptible, I also game the 2nd Boer War, in both 15 and 54mm. What I meant to say was that if you game the Anglo-Zulu War, and the 2nd Boer War, you can use your red coat infantry, blue coat artillery, mounted colonials and mounted infantry against your 2nd Boer War Boers. I know the Boer styles of dress changed a little, but not enough to make a difference, especially in 15mm. I agree it was madness to wear red coats when fighting marksmen like the Boers. The Highlanders came straight from the war in Afghanistan and wore sensible khaki. |
| Old Contemptible | 12 Jul 2022 11:10 p.m. PST |
Your right about the Boers. The dress would be similar, any differences at 15mm wouldn't matter that much. |
