Traditionally, most soldiers in the British Army were infantrymen. Even during the first three phases of the Anglo-Boer War, infantry had only limited value, and with the exception of garrison troops in towns, as well as blockhouse guards, infantry were of no value whatsoever in counter-guerrilla operations. Therefore, in due course, Roberts – and later Kitchener – transformed infantry units into mounted infantry. From November 1900 onwards, the number of mobile British columns nearly doubled from 38 to more than 70. To keep his armymobile, Kitchener had to import most of his horses at huge cost. In the course of the war, the British used 669 575 horses, mules and donkeys, of which 400 346 perished. Most British soldiers were never able to match the skills of their Boer adversaries as far as horsemanship was concerned. Nevertheless, the more mobile the British forces became, the more they were able to neutralise (at least to some extent) the Boers’ initial mobility
Traditionally, most soldiers in the British Army were infantrymen. Even during the first three phases of the Anglo-Boer War, infantry had only limited value, and with the exception of garrison troops in towns, as well as blockhouse guards, infantry were of no value whatsoever in counter-guerrilla operations. Therefore, in due course, Roberts – and later Kitchener – transformed infantry units into mounted infantry. From November 1900 onwards, the number of mobile British columns nearly doubled from 38 to more than 70. To keep his armymobile, Kitchener had to import most of his horses at huge cost. In the course of the war, the British used 669 575 horses, mules and donkeys, of which 400 346 perished. Most British soldiers were never able to match the skills of their Boer adversaries as far as horsemanship was concerned. Nevertheless, the more mobile the British forces became, the more they were able to neutralise (at least to some extent) the Boers’ initial mobility