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Mafeking, 1899-1900: A Story of Courage and Resilience

Herb Simmons

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Published in Battle Story: Mafeking 1899 1900 Nicolas Forgue

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The Siege of Mafeking was a pivotal event in the Second Boer War. For 217 days, the British garrison in Mafeking, South Africa, was besieged by Boer forces. The siege was finally lifted on May 17, 1900, thanks in part to the efforts of Colonel Robert Baden-Powell, who would later found the Boy Scouts.

Battle Story: Mafeking 1899-1900

by Nicolas Forgue

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5512 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	162 pages

The Outbreak of War

The Second Boer War began in October 1899, when the Boer republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State declared war on the British Empire. The Boers were fighting for their independence from British rule, and they quickly gained the upper hand in the early stages of the war.

By December 1899, the Boers had besieged the British garrison in Mafeking. The garrison was commanded by Colonel Robert Baden-Powell, a young and inexperienced officer who had never commanded troops in battle before.

The Siege of Mafeking

The Siege of Mafeking lasted for 217 days. During that time, the garrison was constantly under fire from Boer artillery. The Boers also tried to starve the garrison out by cutting off their food and water supplies.

Despite the hardships they faced, the garrison never gave up hope. Baden-Powell kept up their morale by organizing games and competitions. He also created a newspaper, the Mafeking Mail, to keep the garrison informed about the outside world.

The Boers eventually realized that they could not defeat the garrison by force. They offered to let the garrison surrender on honorable terms, but Baden-Powell refused. He was determined to hold out until the British army could come to their rescue.

The Relief of Mafeking

On May 17, 1900, the British army finally arrived at Mafeking. The Boers were forced to lift the siege, and the garrison was finally free.

The Siege of Mafeking was a major victory for the British. It showed that the Boers could not defeat the British army in a conventional war. The siege also made Baden-Powell a national hero. He was promoted to major general and was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor in the British Empire.

The Legacy of Mafeking

The Siege of Mafeking had a lasting impact on British history. It showed that the British army could overcome any challenge, even when outnumbered and outgunned.

The siege also inspired Baden-Powell to found the Boy Scouts. He believed that the scouting skills he had learned during the siege could be used to teach young people about courage, self-reliance, and patriotism.

The Boy Scouts movement has since spread to over 200 countries around the world. It has taught millions of young people the importance of character, service, and citizenship.

The Siege of Mafeking was a story of courage, resilience, and determination. The garrison never gave up hope, even when the odds were stacked against them. Their victory showed that the British army could overcome any challenge, and it inspired generations of young people to serve their country.

Battle Story: Mafeking 1899-1900

by Nicolas Forgue

4.4 out of 5