THE MILITARY ROLE OF THE REHOBOTH BASTERS DURING THE SOUTH AFRICAN INVASION OF GERMAN SOUTH WEST AFRICA, 1914-1915

Abstract

During the course of the South African invasion (1914/15) and their forced involvement in the German war effort caused great consternation among the Rehoboth Basters. They feared that should they actively support the Germans, they could lose their land and their right to self-determination. Accordingly, Captain Cornelius van Wyk visited General Louis Botha in Swakopmund in April 1915. Botha advised them to avoid becoming involved in the war effort as far as possible. The Basters, however, in spite of Botha's advice, rebelled against the Germans. The timely arrival of the South African forces in the Rehoboth Gebiet and the resultant withdrawal of the Germans to the north prevented the Germans from delivering the final blow to the Basters. With the Peace of Khorab (9 July 1915) the German administration in South West Africa was formally ended.