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by Deneys Reitz (Author), J. C. Smuts (Foreword by)
Commando: A Boer Journal of the Boer War is a memoir written by Deneys Reitz, a Boer soldier who fought in the Second Boer War (1899-1902) against the British Empire. The book provides a first-hand account of the war from the perspective of a young man who joined the Boer forces at the age of 17. Reitz describes the experiences of the Boer commandos, who were small groups of soldiers who operated independently and relied on their knowledge of the terrain to launch surprise attacks against the British. He also discusses the challenges faced by the Boers, including shortages of food and ammunition, as well as the harsh conditions of the South African landscape. The book covers a range of events during the war, including the battles of Colenso, Spion Kop, and Paardeberg, as well as the sieges of Ladysmith and Mafeking. Reitz also provides insight into the Boer leadership, including his own father, who was a prominent figure in the war. Overall, Commando is a compelling and vivid account of the Boer War, providing a unique perspective on a conflict that had a significant impact on South African history.1929. Deneys Reitz, who is now one of General Smuts�������s political lieutenants and a warm supporter of the British Commonwealth, fought through the South African War as our enemy. He enlisted on the outbreak of the war as a boy of seventeen and went through it to the bitter end. His father was President of the Orange Free State, and after peace was concluded he and his family went into exile. Later he returned to his own country; and later still fought in the Great War on the side of the Allies, first in West and South Africa, and then in France, where he was severely wounded, and where he came to command the First Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Commando abounds in interesting sidelights and portraits-Kruger, De Wet, Smuts, Kitchener. One of the most remarkable passages gives us a glimpse of the young Winston Churchill as prisoner of war in Pretoria. It is difficult to speak of this book in anything short of a string of superlatives. The spirit of it is magnificent; the uncomplaining courage of the boy-fighter rouses memories of all the stories down the ages about unrecking devotion to an ideal. And not one of them is a finer one than this.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
