Blockhouses of the Second Anglo-Boer War facts for kids

Sentinel Blockhouse in Burgersdorp

Blockhouses were strong, small forts built by the British army in South Africa during the Second Boer War (1899-1902). These buildings were like mini-castles, made to protect soldiers and important places. They helped the British control large areas and stop enemy fighters from moving around easily. Many of these stone blockhouses are still standing today, showing a unique part of history.

What Were Blockhouses?

Blockhouses were small, sturdy buildings, often shaped like a square or circle. They were built to be very strong, usually from local stone. Some were also made from thick wood or even corrugated iron. Most blockhouses had two or three floors. They had small openings, called loopholes, for soldiers to shoot from safely.

Why Were They Built?

The Second Boer War was fought between the British Empire and two independent Boer states. At first, the war involved big battles. But later, the Boer fighters used guerrilla warfare. This meant they used surprise attacks and quick raids. They would attack British supply lines and small groups of soldiers.

To fight this new style of war, the British needed a way to protect their long supply routes. They also wanted to limit where the Boer fighters could go. Blockhouses were the perfect solution. They were placed along railway lines, roads, and at important bridges.

How Blockhouses Helped

Blockhouses served several important purposes:

• Protecting Railways: Many blockhouses were built close to railway tracks. This protected the trains that carried soldiers, food, and supplies.
• Controlling Movement: By building lines of blockhouses, the British created barriers. These barriers made it harder for Boer commandos to move freely across the countryside.
• Communication: Blockhouses often had telegraph or signal lamps. This allowed soldiers to quickly send messages to other blockhouses or larger army camps.
• Safe Havens: They provided a safe place for small groups of soldiers to rest and defend themselves.

Different Designs

The British built around 8,000 blockhouses in total during the war. About 441 of these were strong, permanent structures made of stone. These stone blockhouses were often two or three stories high. They were built using rocks found nearby. Other blockhouses were simpler, made from wood or metal. These could be built very quickly.

Some famous examples of blockhouses include:

• Burgersdorp Blockhouse
• Modder River Blockhouse
• Witkop Blockhouse

These buildings were a key part of the British strategy to win the war. They showed how armies adapt to new challenges on the battlefield.

See also

• South African Heritage Resources Agency
• South African National Museum of Military History
• Provincial heritage site (South Africa)
• Military history of South Africa
• List of castles in Africa
• History of South Africa
• List of castles
• List of forts