Anglo-Boer War Blockhouses

A Military Engineer's Perspective (Edition 2)

Simon C Green

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Paperback

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English

Simon Charles Green
01 February 2025

African history; Military history; Construction & heavy industry; Building construction & materials

The Blockhouses of South Africa is a fresh analytical look at the how the construction of over 9,000 small fortifications during the Boer War sought to change its course. From tracing the British Army's use of blockhouses prior to the war, to what conditions were like for the average ""Tommy"" fighting in these structures; it is a deep dive into topic, previously not achieved.

The author examines all aspects of the South African blockhouses during the war; from their initial concept to protect key bridges and how this nascent doctrine morphed into mass-produced, low cost, pre-fabricated forts deployed in long lines across the veld. This evolution is illustrated with the detail of how they were built, manned and operated in a system designed to defeat roving Boer Commandos.

The 'blockhouse strategy' used by Lord Kitchener during the Guerrilla Phase of the war is examined as part of the wider strategy used to bring the war to its conclusion. Through detailed analysis and the lens of military expert the author finally answers the question ""Did the blockhouses win the war?"" or were they merely the strategy of a ""Blockhead?""

By: Simon C Green
Imprint: Simon Charles Green
Dimensions: Height: 244mm, Width: 170mm, Spine: 22mm
Weight: 689g
ISBN: 9780796132543
ISBN 10: 0796132542
Pages: 322
Publication Date: 01 February 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Simon Green was born in Jersey and educated at Welbeck College and holds a BSc (Hons) in Technology from The Open University and Masters Degree in Information Systems from Cranfield University.Commissioned at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1978 into the Royal Corps of Signals, he served for nearly 30 years in military appointments in Europe, Brunei, and South Africa. He worked extensively in major military headquarters, giving him a unique insight into the staff who fought the war at a strategic level. He was also involved in training operations staff in operational leadership and war-gaming to develop and hone their war-fighting tactics at lower levels of command. He retired from military service in 2006 and settled in South Africa to pursue his passion for military history and writing.