Commando: A Boer Journal of the Boer War

Commando is a first-hand account of the Second Boer War (1899-1902), written by Deneys Reitz who fought as a teenage soldier for the Boers against British forces. The memoir traces Reitz's experiences across three years of combat, from his initial enlistment at age 17 through the war's conclusion. The narrative follows Reitz's unit as they engage in mobile guerrilla warfare tactics against the British army across the South African veldt. Reitz documents the daily realities of commando life, including battles, reconnaissance missions, and the challenges of maintaining supplies and morale in the face of a superior military force. The book draws heavily from Reitz's wartime diary entries, providing immediacy to his observations of both military engagements and quiet moments between conflicts. His perspective includes interactions with key military and political figures from both sides of the conflict. This memoir stands as both a military history and a coming-of-age story, illustrating the transformation of a society caught between traditional pastoral life and modernizing forces. The text raises questions about colonialism, nationalism, and the human cost of war.

Readers highlight the book's firsthand perspective from a 17-year-old Boer soldier, with its detailed accounts of guerrilla warfare tactics and daily life during the conflict. Multiple reviews note the author's honest, straightforward writing style and lack of political bias. Readers appreciated: - Clear descriptions of combat and military movements - Personal observations of key figures like Jan Smuts - Documentation of Boer survival methods and adaptations - Balance between military details and human elements Common criticisms: - Limited context for readers unfamiliar with the war - Some military maneuvers can be difficult to follow - Occasional slow pacing during non-combat sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (384 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (168 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Reitz manages to convey both the adventure and horror of war without glamorizing or condemning either side." - Goodreads reviewer

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🔸 Deneys Reitz was just 17 years old when he fought in the Second Boer War and kept the diary that would later become this book. He wrote it entirely from memory while in exile in Madagascar in 1903. 🔸 The book provides a rare perspective of the Boer War from the Boer side, as most well-known accounts were written by British authors. Reitz fought alongside his father, who was the State Secretary of the Transvaal Republic. 🔸 After the war, Reitz reconciled with his former enemies and even fought alongside the British in World War I. He later served as a cabinet minister in the South African government under Jan Smuts. 🔸 Winston Churchill, whom Reitz encountered as a war correspondent during the conflict, later praised the book and wrote its foreword when it was published in English in 1929. 🔸 The original manuscript was written in Dutch and lost for many years before being rediscovered and translated into English. Reitz had to rewrite substantial portions from memory for the English version.