Chapter 358: Preparing for War
While construction was underway in Soga City, work on the Central Canal was also progressing rapidly. The Ndbele people were divided into two groups to dig the canal. Meanwhile, the Lake Malawi Industrial Zone and the Northern Industrial Belt were being developed in parallel. All across East Africa's eastern region, the kingdom was racing forward with modernization.
At the same time, the military stationed in Zimbabwe had already begun field training—focused on learning how to track and capture fleeing Boers.
"Given the Kingdom's superior manpower and firepower, the Boers won't fight us head-on. They'll scatter like cockroaches, hiding in dark corners and striking when we least expect it. These aren't primitive tribesmen with spears—they have military experience and firearms. So how should we deal with Boers who fight like this?"
The drill instructor's question sparked debate among the soldiers. Most were already familiar with guerrilla warfare—used by African tribes, albeit usually with little success. Lacking modern weapons, tribal guerrillas were easy to counter. But the Boers were different. Their tactics were sound, and they could shoot back.
The real issue with most tribal resistance in Africa was that it was disorganized. The technological gap was so vast that many never even attempted to resist East Africa's forces.
"First, isolate and surround. Guerrilla warfare relies on mobility, so we must contain the Boers to a fixed area and prevent them from moving freely.
Second, cut off their supply lines. Prevent communication and resource flow between Boer fighters and Boer villages. Deny them food and water—they won't survive long in the wilderness.
Finally, never pursue a desperate enemy recklessly. Boers are clever. Don't walk into ambushes. Our job is to hold the towns and regularly sweep the countryside. Once we've done that, there'll be no place left for them to hide."
This formed the core of East Africa's war plan: rapid deployment, capture of Boer towns and villages, then sweeping up the remnants of resistance.
The Boer-founded Transvaal Republic was a unique target. East Africa had to dismantle its entire government structure in a very short time. That would require an incredibly capable army.
The first step was detailed mapping. East Africa had secretly sent teams disguised as German traders and explorers into Transvaal. They scouted towns and terrain, collecting information wherever they went.
These field maps were later shipped back to East Africa, where the Hechingen Military Academy compiled them into comprehensive military charts—marking Transvaal's topography, rivers, forests, and swamps. Every town and village was mapped, and strategic routes were drawn out. If East African commanders simply followed the maps, they could capture the entire republic within weeks.
The assumption, of course, was that the Boers wouldn't fight back—but that was unlikely. Even with a surprise attack, the depth of Transvaal's territory posed logistical challenges for East Africa.
"While dealing with the Boers, we must also be wary of foreign powers—especially the Orange Free State and the British Cape Colony. Our forces must act quickly. If we can occupy Transvaal within one month, the British won't have time to respond. Whether or not our control is effective doesn't matter. We just need the British to believe we've annexed it."
A surprise attack on the Transvaal had to be swift and overwhelming. That meant East Africa's troops needed top-tier mobility. Training intensified. Rations improved. Daily marching targets exceeded 40 kilometers.
Transvaal was about 500 kilometers long, north to south. If East African soldiers could maintain their training pace, they could traverse the entire republic within a month.
As for the Boers themselves, the plan was: keep the cooperative ones; expel the rest. Those unwilling to accept East African rule could flee south to the Orange Free State.
The Transvaal Republic, truth be told, was already on its last legs. Dry and hot, with poor soil, it survived on ranching—a traditional Boer livelihood. But its economy was one-dimensional and extremely weak.
The country had no modern industries and not even a single inch of railway. In 1866, the Transvaal's total annual revenue was just £66,000. Its national treasury held only 9 shillings and 12 pence—less than one pound.
Transvaal's only real strength came from its homesteading policy. Every male citizen over 16 could claim 2,400 hectares of land. In return, they paid taxes, provided grain to the state, and fought during wartime.
Land meant pastures. More land meant more pastures. Thus, the Boers were in constant conflict with local African tribes—especially the Zulu Kingdom.
The Zulus were the Boers' fiercest enemy. Their hatred went back to the Battle of Blood River, a brutal massacre that cemented deep animosity. But the Zulus were no ordinary tribe. They were organized, militarized, and capable of large-scale warfare.
In fact, the Ndbele kingdom recently destroyed by East Africa was a Zulu offshoot. Among all the African forces East Africa had encountered, the Zulus were by far the most formidable.
What made the Zulus truly dangerous, however, was their cunning diplomacy. They expertly played the Boers and British off each other. The Ndbele had secured Boer support in exactly this way.
But the Transvaal Republic, for all its history, had no idea that disaster was looming.
East Africa wasn't like Britain. Britain gained colonies through trickery. Transvaal was tricked into joining the British Empire in 1876.
East Africa, like Prussia, believed in conquest.
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