est Africa
322,450 square miles of territory, 113,670 more miles than all
Germany, came under the British flag.

The suppression of the rebellion at home, and the invasion and
conquest of this large territory had been accomplished by the Union
forces with comparatively small loss of life considering the great
number of engagements that were fought in a most difficult country for
military operations. The best estimate gives 1,612 for both campaigns.
The killed numbered 406, of whom ninety-six were killed in action by
the Germans and ninety-eight by the rebels, fifty-eight died of
wounds, and 153 by disease, accident, and other causes, and 606 were
taken prisoners. The losses to the rebels were 190 killed and between
300 and 350 wounded. The Germans lost 103 killed, and 195 wounded.
Before the surrender the Union forces held 890 German prisoners in
Southwest Africa.

While it is true that the Union troops greatly outnumbered the
Germans, General Botha's conquest of the colony was none the less a
brilliant military achievement. The most dangerous foe that the Union
soldiers encountered was not the Germans, but the deadly climate; the
stretches of burning desert veld from eighty to a hundred miles wide,
that had to be crossed in a heat that rose at times to 120 deg. Fahrenheit
in the shadow of the tents. All the supplies, the provisions for the
men, and much of the water for their consumption had to be brought
from Cape Town. The care taken in the commissariat department, and
especially in the water supply, in a country where the enemy had
polluted the wells, accounted for the general good health of the
invading army. That 30,000 men should have been able to fight in such
a difficult country for five months at a cost of less than 2,000
casualties was an experience rare in military annals, and reflects
lasting credit on General Botha who planned the entire invasion.

The Germans, outmatched and outnumbered, avoided engagements whenever
possible, but offered a stubborn resistance and fought with great
bravery when there was no alternative. Once the Union forces were
ready to advance, their rapid movements and forced marches took the
Germans by surprise in the midst of their preparations, and baffled
and bewildered them. Cut off entirely from help from the outside, and
running short of ammunition which could not be replaced, their
struggle could only result in one conclusion.

CHAPTER LXXIX

OTHER AFRICAN OPERATIO