Koos de la Rey

Koos de la Rey (1847–1914) was a Boer general who became one of the most effective commanders in the Second Boer War and later opposed South Africa’s government.

Battle of Magersfontein: A 1899 battle in which Boer forces defeated a British advance near Magersfontein in the Second Boer War. De la Rey helped shape the Boer defensive tactics that made this victory possible.
South African Republic: An independent Boer republic in the Transvaal from 1852 until its defeat by Britain in 1902. De la Rey served the republic whose independence he fought to defend.
Louis Botha: A Boer general who became the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa in 1910. Botha fought alongside De la Rey before leading the government De la Rey later opposed.
Union of South Africa: A self-governing dominion established in 1910 by uniting four British colonies in southern Africa. De la Rey opposed the Union government’s policies and its participation in the First World War.
Battle of Sanna's Post: A March 1900 Boer ambush that captured British guns and supplies near Bloemfontein. De la Rey’s command helped turn a British withdrawal into a notable Boer success.
Boer people: An Afrikaner people descended largely from Dutch-speaking settlers in southern Africa. De la Rey’s identity and political loyalties were rooted in Boer society.
Christiaan de Wet: An Orange Free State Boer general known for mobile guerrilla warfare during the Second Boer War. De Wet was a fellow commander and later a prominent figure in the 1914 rebellion.
Maritz Rebellion: The 1914 Afrikaner uprising against the Union government during the First World War. De la Rey’s dissent and death became entangled with the rebellion’s preparations and aftermath.
Battle of Tweebosch: A March 1902 Boer victory over British forces in the western Transvaal during the Second Boer War. De la Rey commanded the Boer force in one of the war’s last major victories.
Winburg: A town in the Free State region of South Africa, founded by Voortrekkers in the nineteenth century. De la Rey was born near Winburg before his family settled in the Transvaal.

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