Chapter 382: Crossing the River
The East African Army, divided into three divisions, began its southward advance. Merk's 411th and 412th Divisions moved southward from Botswana, following the Limpopo River towards the Orange River line. This area, formerly known as the British colony of Bechuanaland, was now considered a "no man's land."
Felix's 512th and 331st Divisions advanced southward along the eastern side of the Drakensberg Mountains, reaching the Kingdom of Swaziland in the south.
Ernst and Sweet led the main forces, consisting of the 111th, 123rd, 511th, 513th, and 514th Divisions, to attack the Transvaal Republic. They advanced along the western side of the Drakensberg Mountains and the west bank of the upper Limpopo River towards the Transvaal Republic.
Under the cover of night, the East African Army began the process of crossing the lengthy Limpopo River. This river served as the boundary between East Africa and the Transvaal Republic, and its sheer length allowed the East Africans to choose crossing points that were not well-guarded by the Boers.
Bypassing the limited Boer sentries, the East African Army entered Transvaal territory through other sections of the river. Ernst, donned in military attire and mounted on a tall black horse, stood by the riverbank, overseeing the army's crossing.
Temporary pontoon bridges had been constructed on the river, greatly facilitating the crossing process. Men, horses, and equipment made their way across the Limpopo River. However, they remained cautious, as the river was known as the Crocodile River, and the possibility of encountering these predators was not to be taken lightly.
Sweet noted, "Your Highness, it appears that the Boers have minimal defenses against us. According to our scout cavalry reports, there isn't a soul to be seen for miles."
Ernst responded, "That's expected. You must understand that the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State, despite being considered small nations, only have a combined population of slightly over 400,000. This vast territory is sparsely populated."
Thawth added, "Indeed, if the Transvaal Republic were to launch an attack on our Matabele Plateau, they would face a situation similar to the one our army encountered."
The population of East Africa in Zimbabwe was smaller than that of the Transvaal Republic, but a significant portion consisted of independent soldiers. On the other hand, the Transvaal Republic mainly relied on militia forces, who were typically cattle herders and only gathered when war was imminent.
The Boers' main force was currently engaged in fighting the Zulu Kingdom on the eastern front. If the Boers decided to resist East Africa, they would need to mobilize militia units. If these troops were drawn from the eastern front, it would not only be too late, but it would also provide an opportunity for the Zulus to counterattack into the Transvaal Republic.
The successful river crossing was executed with few casualties, except for a few unfortunate individuals who ended up in the water.
Ernst issued orders for the next steps, stating, "Prepare the militia and have them cross the river at daybreak. Their mission is to attack the enemy in the ferry area, secure the crossings, and establish a supply route."
The militia's task was to deal with the Boer army in the ferry area, effectively the border guards. The Boers south of the Limpopo River were scattered in small squad units and posed no threat to the East African militia.
The decision to cross further downstream was made to avoid alerting the enemy prematurely. East African forces needed to avoid drawing attention from Transvaal merchants who frequented the ferry area. These merchants, often well-equipped with cattle and horses, could quickly return to Pretoria with news of the East African advance. If the Transvaal Republic received early warning, they might organize a counterattack, which would not be favorable to East Africa. Therefore, the main East African force crossed first, leaving the regions along the river to be handled by the militia.
Ernst outlined the plan for controlling Boer farms, mainly conducted by the militia. While they didn't need to completely control all the farms, some key ones would be essential. German, Dutch, and French Boers willing to submit to East African rule would temporarily manage these farms. East Africa's unique political and economic structure guaranteed certain privileges for all citizens. Everyone in East Africa was essentially part of a privileged class.
Ernst further explained that East Africa was increasing the intensity of domestic slavery while also working to abolish the slavery system and export black slaves. The entire kingdom relied on the oppression of slaves, and all East African citizens enjoyed certain privileges as a result. It was East Africa's ability to maintain this structure that allowed it to continue to thrive and expand its territories.
In this way, the East African Army, in its campaign against the Transvaal Republic, took a strategic approach, forming a cross-attack posture to control key Boer settlements and cut off their connections with Pretoria. The aim was to make the Boers feel like headless flies, free to roam but unable to mount an effective resistance.
Ernst emphasized the importance of removing the Boers from the farms, leaving only those willing to cooperate with East African rule. This approach would prevent the Boers from becoming pawns in the hands of other colonial powers.