The Dutch Empire Strikes Back
Part III
With the Zulus brought to the civilized world, the road to Africa lay open. Neither the King nor the advisor were interested in this road. Although leaving this road open could, and most likely would, cause trouble later. The King now looking at the possesions recently gained, was pleased by the way things were going. However the British still posed a threat, not only to the Dutch, but also to the Boers. The Boers, closely related to the Dutch, were not able to defend themselves properly against the Brits.
The King feared that the advisor would act on his own behalf and would go through with this mission, even without permission from the King. Unfortunately his son, and heir to the throne, Willem IV, was just 15 years old and not able to take the throne yet. Knowing that the advisor had support from both the military and the population, it wasn’t so easy to remove him from his posistion, which was becoming more as just an advisor.
In January 1855 the advisor was about to set sail for Africa, when the King summoned him to the court. The King wanted to know what the Dutch Army was going to do in case of British troops violating the borders of the Boer states. “Unfortunately,” the advisor said,”I’m not convinced that the 4 divisions stationed in South Africa can possibly do something to protect them. That’s why I urge you to bring them under direct control.” The King, afraid for this answer, finally gave the advisor permission to do whatever he thought was necessary. Although Willem III knew that either his days, or his advisors days were numbered, he didn’t want to see the Dutch Royal family being overthrown. Unfortunately his son wasn’t capable of ruling a country, let a lone rebuilding a long gone empire.
February 12, 1855. The advisor arrived by ship in Zululand, here he inspected the current defensive forces. Soon he would lead them into Boer territory. But it had to wait untill the cavalry came, 9 days later Dutch troops crossed the Dutch-Oranje Vrijstaat border. Enemy troops were quickly defeated and the cavalry was ordered to continue the advance onto Bloemfontein. The Boers of Oranje Vrijstaat put up o ferocious fight, but weren’t able to prevent Dutch forces to be victorious.
Annexation of Oranje
Boer commandos
In South Africa, the Dutch troops still fresh from the last war, marched into Transvaal in December 1857. They were even less capable of stopping the Dutch advance, and in the end of March Transvaal was reduced to Pretoria and disgraced in the eyes of the world.
South Africa after the two Boer Wars
When the advisor returned to Amsterdam, he was hailed as a hero by the Dutch population, very few had even the slightest idea that the tensions between the King and the advisor were growing. The King, seeming pleased with the additional territories, called his advisor to him. He had an announcement to make.
Part III
With the Zulus brought to the civilized world, the road to Africa lay open. Neither the King nor the advisor were interested in this road. Although leaving this road open could, and most likely would, cause trouble later. The King now looking at the possesions recently gained, was pleased by the way things were going. However the British still posed a threat, not only to the Dutch, but also to the Boers. The Boers, closely related to the Dutch, were not able to defend themselves properly against the Brits.
The King feared that the advisor would act on his own behalf and would go through with this mission, even without permission from the King. Unfortunately his son, and heir to the throne, Willem IV, was just 15 years old and not able to take the throne yet. Knowing that the advisor had support from both the military and the population, it wasn’t so easy to remove him from his posistion, which was becoming more as just an advisor.
In January 1855 the advisor was about to set sail for Africa, when the King summoned him to the court. The King wanted to know what the Dutch Army was going to do in case of British troops violating the borders of the Boer states. “Unfortunately,” the advisor said,”I’m not convinced that the 4 divisions stationed in South Africa can possibly do something to protect them. That’s why I urge you to bring them under direct control.” The King, afraid for this answer, finally gave the advisor permission to do whatever he thought was necessary. Although Willem III knew that either his days, or his advisors days were numbered, he didn’t want to see the Dutch Royal family being overthrown. Unfortunately his son wasn’t capable of ruling a country, let a lone rebuilding a long gone empire.
February 12, 1855. The advisor arrived by ship in Zululand, here he inspected the current defensive forces. Soon he would lead them into Boer territory. But it had to wait untill the cavalry came, 9 days later Dutch troops crossed the Dutch-Oranje Vrijstaat border. Enemy troops were quickly defeated and the cavalry was ordered to continue the advance onto Bloemfontein. The Boers of Oranje Vrijstaat put up o ferocious fight, but weren’t able to prevent Dutch forces to be victorious.
Annexation of Oranje
Boer commandos
In South Africa, the Dutch troops still fresh from the last war, marched into Transvaal in December 1857. They were even less capable of stopping the Dutch advance, and in the end of March Transvaal was reduced to Pretoria and disgraced in the eyes of the world.
South Africa after the two Boer Wars
When the advisor returned to Amsterdam, he was hailed as a hero by the Dutch population, very few had even the slightest idea that the tensions between the King and the advisor were growing. The King, seeming pleased with the additional territories, called his advisor to him. He had an announcement to make.
