New Zealand at war
Life in South Africa was a shock to the hastily trained New Zealand troops, equipped with a horse, rifle, light pack and light khaki uniform which served no protection from the cold or gun fire they would endure severe daytime heat during their day treks where they could begin their day as easy as 4a.m spending up to 12 hours on patrol covering at least 30km a day. Then sleeping out in the open in the freezing cold temperature with only an overcoat for protection in the harsh wasteland of South Africa. Along with the environmental stress the troops were required to be as mobile as possible in order to cover the 30km leaving them with little water and rations consisting of army biscuits,bully beef sugar and tea any extra would need to be acquired from foraging or looting as meals in South Africa cost four times as much in comparison to New Zealand which would force soldiers to spend much of their pay on the additional food required.
The stress of combat also had an effect on the troops who were new to the rules and realities of war, fear of ambush by Boer forces was always present in the soldiers minds. Troops also faced an enemy knew the terrain and were able to effectively use guerrilla warfare, troops were also outraged as the Boers didn't abide by the rules of war often luring troops close with a sign of surrender before opening fire, Boers would also dress in stolen British uniform killing soldiers who were fooled into thinking they were comrades.
The stress of combat also had an effect on the troops who were new to the rules and realities of war, fear of ambush by Boer forces was always present in the soldiers minds. Troops also faced an enemy knew the terrain and were able to effectively use guerrilla warfare, troops were also outraged as the Boers didn't abide by the rules of war often luring troops close with a sign of surrender before opening fire, Boers would also dress in stolen British uniform killing soldiers who were fooled into thinking they were comrades.
Opposing armies had different strategies where the British army acted together as a disciplined combined force, the Boer armies fought in informal groups allowing a soldier to leave one group or another although excellent in the art of guerrilla warfare the Boers had no tack for attacking heavily fortified towns held by the British. In order to gain the upper hand the British took on a scorched earth policy, where they would burn any crops and bush once an area was taken to prevent guerrilla warfare, but also taking away crops from the civilians causing a greater shortage for both the civilians and opposing troops.
Not only were troops shocked at the acts of war but the racial acts of the Boers, at the 1874 Brussels conference it was agreed to “prevent inhumane treatment of prisoners and the use of weapons causing unnecessary harm” although this respect was given to any imperial soldiers captured by the Boers it wasn't given to any native Africans fighting for the British who were instantly punished and executed. Coming from a country where the natives and colonial immigrants were able to find a settlement where both parties were able to find agreeable terms with one another granting equal rights, citizenship and overall peace troops from New Zealand were shocked to see the hate and disrespect Boers had against native Africans.
Not only were troops shocked at the acts of war but the racial acts of the Boers, at the 1874 Brussels conference it was agreed to “prevent inhumane treatment of prisoners and the use of weapons causing unnecessary harm” although this respect was given to any imperial soldiers captured by the Boers it wasn't given to any native Africans fighting for the British who were instantly punished and executed. Coming from a country where the natives and colonial immigrants were able to find a settlement where both parties were able to find agreeable terms with one another granting equal rights, citizenship and overall peace troops from New Zealand were shocked to see the hate and disrespect Boers had against native Africans.
"The Boers have absolutely no excuse this kind of conduct … It’s done simply for spite, nothing else, for the average Boer thinks no more of a darkie than he does of a dog, often times not so much."
Private Henry Gilbert, Seventh Contingent in Kingsley Field, Soldier Boy (2007)