Military Reconnaissance by Alexander Stilwell

Author:Alexander Stilwell [Stilwell, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, Strategy, Ancient, Medieval
ISBN: 9781504063968
Google: nnPhDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2020-05-12T00:37:45+00:00

Boer Scouts

Although the Boers were natural countrymen and sharpshooters, General Christiaan Rudolf de Wet (1854–1922) relied upon a specialised reconnaissance force to give him the vital information he needed about British achievements. One of these scout units was led by Daniël Johannes Stephanus ‘Danie’ Theron. This scout unit, known as the Theron se Verkenningskorps (TVK) (Theron’s Reconnaissance Corps), was equipped with bicycles. In regard to his appearance, Theron did not immediately fit the bill of the Boer frontiersmen. He was a neatly turned out schoolmaster with an irascible temper. However, he proved to be prodigiously effective as a scout.

The TVK made notable contributions at the battles of Sion Kop (23–24 January 1900) and at Paardeberg (18–27 February 1900), where Theron personally made his way twice through British lines.

The TVK were equipped with binoculars, revolvers and carbines and they were constantly on the watch for British movements, while also studying British tactics during battles. Apart from their reconnaissance missions, the TVK also blew up bridges and railway lines.

The TVK was so effective, that the Commander-in-Chief of British forces, General Lord Roberts, put a large reward on Danie Theron’s head and sent out 4,000 British soldiers to eliminate the force.

Danie Theron was killed by chance when he ran into a group of South African cavalry called Marshall’s Horse (1899–1902). Having killed or maimed several of the riders, Theron was killed himself by an exploding shell fired by British artillery who had been alerted by the shooting.

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