Page 29 - KBHA Bulletin 11

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However, the Rebellion amongst those opposing the Union’s entry into the War in support
of Britain, led by Generals Beyers and de Wet, occupied the next months and delayed the

full GSWA Campaign which really got underway only in January 1915. General Botha
proceeded to GSWA to take personal command of the Union Forces – this was probably

unique among any of the combatant armies viz. that a Prime Minister as C-in-C actually

took command in the field. South African forces fought a wholly Union-organized and
directed campaign and the conquest was completed by July 1915. This was the first Allied

success in the war.

Botha and his troops received a hero’s welcome in Cape Town on 22 July. The Imperial
Government then accepted the Union Government’s offer to raise a contingent of

volunteers for service overseas – specifically on the Western Front in France. Stepped-up

recruiting and preparations were also initiated for the German East Africa Campaign. (Figs.
1.14 & 1.15). A great mass meeting was held in the City Hall on 17 November 1915 for the

purpose of raising the necessary contingents. General Smuts initially conducted the GEA

Campaign, from February 1916 until January 1917, when he was called to Britain to the
Imperial Defence Conference. Command was taken over by General Hoskins, and

subsequently by General van Deventer and it was believed that the campaign was then
virtually over. Instead General von Lettow-Vorbeck went over to guerrilla activities and

was never defeated or captured.

Formation and training of the Cape Corps

After the conclusion of the GSWA campaign the decision was taken on 20 September 1915

to raise the Cape Corps. This was to be an Infantry Battalion of coloured men for service
overseas. There were many within that community who resented the idea of a racially

separate force but many, equally, who were unhappy at having been denied participation in

GSWA. A recruiting centre was opened at the City Hall on 25 October and the required
quota of 1,016 medically fit men was filled within six weeks and recruiting ceased on 12