Page "Second Boer War" Paragraph 43

It rapidly became clear that the Boer forces presented the British forces with a severe tactical challenge.

What the Boers presented was a mobile and innovative approach to warfare, drawing on their experiences from the First Boer War.

The average Boers who made up their Commandos were farmers who had spent almost all their working life in the saddle, both as farmers and hunters.

They had to depend on the pot on their horse and their rifle and were skilled stalkers and marksmen.

As hunters they had learned to fire from cover, from a prone position and to make the first shot count, knowing that if they missed, the game would either be long gone or could charge and potentially kill them.