Chapter 358: War Preparation
Amidst the construction of Soga City and other development projects, preparations for military action were well underway. The East African Kingdom organized its army and initiated military training focused on dealing with the fleeing Boers.
The instructors emphasized the need to anticipate the Boers' tactics, explaining that the Boers, facing the superior military strength and firepower of the East African Kingdom, would likely resort to guerrilla warfare. Soldiers discussed how to respond to these tactics. While many had experience with guerrilla warfare against indigenous people, facing Boers with military experience and access to firearms posed a different challenge.
The soldiers' strategies included division and encirclement, cutting off communication between Boer groups to prevent resupply from Boer villages, and remaining cautious to avoid ambushes. They aimed to limit the Boers to specific areas, making it difficult for them to engage in guerrilla warfare.
Guerrilla tactics had been used effectively by some indigenous tribes, but their lack of advanced weaponry made it challenging for them to resist the East African Kingdom. The gap in firepower was significant.
The East African Kingdom's plan involved quickly sending troops to capture Boer cities and villages before dealing with any counterattacks. The Transvaal Republic, established by the Boers, was unique, requiring the East African Kingdom to take over its state power within a short timeframe.
This operation demanded detailed maps to guide the army. To achieve this, East African agents infiltrated Boer territory from the east, disguised as German businessmen or expedition teams. They conducted thorough explorations of the Transvaal Republic, and the collected information was compiled into military maps by the Hechingen Military Academy.
These maps featured terrain details, rivers, forests, swamps, and feasible routes between cities and towns. Following these maps, the East African army aimed to occupy the entire Transvaal Republic swiftly.
The rapid nature of this operation required efficiency. The goal was to ensure that, within a month, news of the East African Kingdom's annexation of the Transvaal Republic would reach Cape Town and other foreign powers, leaving no time for external interference.
To achieve this, the army needed to maintain high physical fitness. They increased food rations and intensified training to enable troops to march over 40 kilometers per day.
The plan for dealing with the Boers was to select those who cooperated and abandon those who resisted. The Orange Free State, located to the south of the Transvaal Republic, provided an alternative for Boers dissatisfied with East African rule.
The Transvaal Republic itself faced economic challenges. Its hot and arid climate, coupled with poor land quality, limited its agricultural productivity. The absence of modern industry and railroads hindered economic growth. As of 1866, its annual fiscal revenue was only 66,000 pounds, and its treasury had less than one pound in deposits.
To sustain the country, the government allocated land to citizens who, in return, provided food, paid taxes, and served as soldiers during wartime. This system encouraged land expansion, leading the Boers to engage in conflicts with both indigenous tribes and neighboring nations.
One of their significant adversaries was the Zulu Kingdom, known for its military prowess and organizational structure. The Zulus proved adept at using diplomacy to sow discord between the Boers and the British. However, they were unaware of the impending catastrophe as the East African Kingdom prepared to take swift military action.
End of this chapter