New publications explores foreign involvement in Anglo Boer War

BLOEMFONTEIN – The War Museum launched a groundbreaking publication, Foreign
Involvement in the South African War (1899–1902), accompanied by a YouTube documentary
and the opening of a temporary exhibition, showcasing foreign involvement in the war, as well as
highlighting some of the G20 countries who had historical connections to the War.

The War Museum in Bloemfontein, has already covered numerous aspects of the War through its
publications and video productions. The most recent project in this regard has been the publication of the book, documentary and temporary exhibition entitled: Foreign Involvement in the South African War, 1899-1902. The Museum aims to introduce this lesser-known topic of foreign involvement in the War to a wider audience.

Though relatively small in number, but of significant symbolic value in demonstrating international solidarity with the Boer cause, was the active participation of foreign volunteers in the battles of the South African War. In total, about 3 000 local foreign immigrants and volunteers from abroad took up arms against the Imperial forces. These volunteers, their countries of origin and their estimated numbers, include:

• The Netherlands and Belgium: 800
  
  • Germany: 600
  
  • Ireland: 400
  
  • France: 400
  
  • The United States of America: about 60 Americans and about 300 Irish-Americans
  
  • Scandinavia (including Finland ): 300
  
  • Russia: 250
  
  • Italy: 200
  
  • Switzerland: 75
  
  • Greece: 60
  
  • Austria-Hungary: 35

A limited number of volunteers from present-day Bosnia, Croatia, Poland, Bulgaria, Chile, Brazil,
Portugal and Scotland participated on the Republican side in the hostilities.

Volunteers participated in almost all the significant battles of the War, either as members of designated foreign units, or as individuals absorbed into existing Republican commandos. It is
estimated that about 300 – 500 foreign volunteers lost their lives in the conflict. Numerous
sources confirm the bravery and meaningful contribution of many of these foreign volunteers
during the War. When captured, foreign volunteers were also incarcerated together with members of the Boer forces in overseas prisoner of war camps on St. Helena, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Bermuda and India.

This comprehensive work sheds light on the contributions and experiences of foreign volunteers
and nations during the War. The exhibition complements the book with rare artifacts, interactive
displays and multimedia content, offering visitors a deeper understanding of global connections to South Africa’s history and the documentary takes you on a visual journey of how foreign involvement impacted the war.

At the launch of the publication, documentary and temporary exhibition, the museum’s director, Tokkie Pretorius, explained how the project fitted into South Africa’s hosting of the G20 as well as the importance of this interesting aspect of the War.

Twin Mosia talked on an essential dimension of the broader narrative: the involvement of indigenous, First Nations, and non-European foreign participants.

This topic is vital for a complete and inclusive understanding of foreign involvement in the war.
Dr Johan van Zÿl spoke about the publication itself and the method used to complement the text with objects and photos from the Museum’s collection.

The documentary is also available on the Museum’s YouTube channel can be viewed here:

The publication Foreign Involvement in the South African War, 1899-1902 is available at the
Museum and the Online Shop for R350.

The temporary exhibition can be seen in the museum in Bloemfontein. Operating hours during the December holidays, are as follows:

• 24 December: 08:00 to 10:00
• 25 December: Closed
• 26 to 30 December:  09:00-17:00
• 31 December: 09:00-12:00 
• 1 January: Closed
• 2 January onward: normal times