Just Off the Highway | Episode 38 | Boer War Justice? Or Revenge? The Question of Salmon Van As

[@not.likely]

The British conduct leading up, during and after the Boer war, was dispicable, from the Monarchy to the Government to their military and Military leaders. SA should never have helped them in WW2

[@charlesknowles6301]

I agree with you in some ways? The British decided to burn down farms and kill livestock in an attempt to limit a very mobile and skilled boer Enemy. However the concentration camps did not work out as planned. And disease and food shortage is what boer woman and children often faced. However, Hitler was not only an enemy of Europe, he was an enemy of the whole world, and he had to be stopped at all costs! South Africa had to help Great Britain, as did all Her other Commonwealth countries.

[@janvanaardt3773]

Pity the British ever came to SA we would have had a better country without them Pres Brand of the OVS was planning with Netherland to bring 8 million Dutch settlers to SA but because of England's interference it never happened we would have had a huge white population ,also taking the 35 thousand women and children murdered by England

[@stephandeswardt5802]

Dankie vir die oorvertel v hierdie verhaal wat ek goed ken. Hoe pleeg iemand n moord in oorlogstyd waar die een wat eerste skiet oorlewe..... Nog n voorbeeld v : as jy die oorwinnaar is, doen jy net wat jy wil!

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Dankie vir die kommentaar. Ek stem saam. The trial was deeply flawed and probably "victor's justice". My main objective is to introduce these stories to a wider audience and let the viewer decide.

[@cunk1020]

Your content is so well done. The production quality is on tv level. Great story.👍

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Wow, thank you for that compliment. We're learning as we go and trying to make it the best we can.

[@robertschweppenhauser9891]

That was wishful thinking a boer fighter giving up NEVER .😅😂❤

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Throughout the war the British underestimated the determination of their opposition.

[@duncannapier318]

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle described the Boers as…. “the most formidable people to ever cross the paths of imperial Britain (unquote). 👍🇿🇦

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

There were Boers that surrendered. Don't look at that conflict with rose coloured glasses. Not everyone is strong, and living day to day in the bush being hunted, knowing your family was in a concentration camp, did break some Boer fighters. It was inevitable that some would crack. No one is immune to the damage prolonged fighting and sheer survival cause. I have family buried at Irene Concentration Camp, murdered by British indifference and apathy. Most of them were mere children, with at least two old adults, the most vulnerable to the terrible conditions in the camps. They were only in that camp for about two months and lost around 7 family members. Only two months. I know at least one Boer family member surrendereld to get the rest of his family out of that hell hole. We have no understanding today of the hardships our ancestors suffered then. The modern day Afrikaaner has grown up with the propaganda of the National Party that vilified the 'hensopers' and praised the 'bittereinders' resolve. They also claimed the war against the British was only fought by Boers, ignoring the Scottish, English, Irish, American, Dutch, German, Russian, and Jewish men that fought in the Kommandos. And, of course, their families that died in the camps. Look at the names of the Irene Camp victims and see how many are not Boer names.

[@losonsrenoster]

27400 Boer women and children and 17000 black people that died in British concentration camps were given no justice. My Great grandmother Marguerite Ellerman, (néé du Toit) died in Irene concentration camp. My Grandfather was born there, Hendrik Lodewyk Ellerman.

[@Jay-rd3hn]

If Boer and Black died in concentration camps by British why would Boer created apartheid in 1948 that taught blacks corruption and oppress the black community.

[@thewanderer6637]

They found up to 4 skeletons in one grave when they recently relocated the graves of the people who died in the concentration camp. Hence, you can double that figure of 27 400.

[@GoostTube]

Tony is such a wealth of local history and information.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Agreed.

[@stewiecindy5889]

Excellent AL. Loved it.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks very much for watching and for your comment.

[@shirleybezuidenhout2724]

Thanks again for a very informative video. Once again history coming alive. Never knew that Heidelberg had so much history pertaining to the boer war. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thank you! Yes, I'm discovering that the Heidelberg Boers were in the thick of it all through the war.

[@tommurray5156]

I guess we all have similar stories to tell: the men in my mom's family (Botha) were captured at Paardeberg and shipped off to St Helena. The elderly, women and kids were fetched off the farm and shipped off to Kimberly. And then came enteric fever.. The superintendent, Vivier Johnson didn't give too much of a hoot and appears to have left the unhygienic conditions as is.. Life would catch-up with him in WW1, when his only son was lost in battle. Vivier Johnsons sword from the camp is now in the collection of an Aussie in Queensland.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks for adding some of your family history. For me, those personal details tell us so much more about suffering and heroism than the statistics do.

[@harrysalzwedel570]

Such interesting history that is well presented. Thanks so much

[@JustOfftheHighway]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed the episode.

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

I live just out of Heidelberg. Find this very interesting.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thank you.

[@pranavramraj5141]

Very interesting story🔥🇿🇦 thank you so much

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@landibear6509]

Wars were started by politicians and fought by the innocent. So sad. I think this is a lose/lose situation either way. That being said, there is nothing more "boer" than one of ours facing the firing squad without a blindfold. There was then and still is a defiance in South Africans that is admirable. As always, thanks for this piece of history.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching. Your comment reminded of the saying that goes (roughly) War is what happens when young men who don't know one another and don't hate each other are sent off to kill by old men who do know and hate one another, but never do the killing and dying themselves.

[@landibear6509]

@@JustOfftheHighway So true and so sad. Personally, I think we should solve conflict with Rugby matches. 😂

[@JustOfftheHighway]

😆

[@BrianSavage-th6ll]

Thanks, I enjoy your posts

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks for your encouraging comment.👍

[@anguspollitt6156]

Thanks!

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Wow! Thank YOU very much for your support.

[@mikerogers582]

I have such nice mates. 😊

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Indeed! 😆@@mikerogers582

[@lloydlopes7306]

Thanks

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Hi Lloyd, thanks very much for your generous support! 🙏

[@maureengravell2254]

Just fabulous……do you ever go to Bethulie..Maureen

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Hi Maureen. Thank you. I've never been to Bethulie, but your question has reminded me of the wonderful actor, Patrick Mynhardt. I had the privilege to meet him and listen to his masterful storytelling.

[@schoonerist]

CSM Rogers told me to subscribe so I did. 😀

[@JustOfftheHighway]

😂😂 Thanks! Always a good idea to listen to the Sergeant Major.

[@davidroux7987]

First oppressed by the British, now oppressed by the poondoos

[@andrewdutoit9571]

Hi Al, are the places you visited open to the public?

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Hi Andrew, Tony Burish is the local historian and tour guide who will literally open all the doors you need to visit the sites in Heidelberg. Places generally tend to be locked to prevent crime, but a quick phone call or email has always connected me to friendly people who are happy to share the stories.

[@andrewdutoit9571]

@@JustOfftheHighway Thank you, thats good to know.

[@GoostTube]

Where is the Riviersdraai Church and where is Wolwepan? I would like to visit these locations. These names are not on Google Maps.

[@WesselVanAs]

As far as I know, he was related to my grandfather Albertus William Wessels van As,who was caught and sent to Bermuda as a prisoner of war. In the book about Captain Hindon there is also a short paragraph about Salmon van As

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks for providing the personal connection. It really makes the books come alive. Hindon/Hinton was also a fascinating character.

[@flamdango99]

Pragtig vertel....die boere bly wonderlik❤

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Dankie. 🙏

[@monaliza3334]

Never forget about the Russian heroes who helped you during this war, and was fighting on your site...

[@JustOfftheHighway]

An empire of many peoples, British, Irish, Canadian, Australian, etc. VS Boers, Dutch, Irish, American, German, Greeks, Scandinavian, Russians, etc. An international conflict. But not the point of this story.

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

​@@JustOfftheHighwayWhen National Party propaganda told us only Boers fought in that conflict, it is a part of the whole story. Google the Irene Concentration Camp and look at the names of the 'Boers' buried there. You will find my Scottish named descendants buried there. Two sets of my family, one buried under the wrong surname because the Brits didn't care to keep proper records. If I recall the spelling correctly, the wrong surname is Avondale, not Annandale.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks for your nuanced and detailed comments. Doing any episode about the Anglo-Boer Wars often touches a "hot" wire. As long as the thread doesn't break down into personal insults, I'm happy to hear from anybody who took the time to watch.

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

@@JustOfftheHighway Well said, sir.

[@johannesdekoning9521]

Groot waardering en respek vir die Russiese vrywilligers.

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Read:Heidelbergers of the boer war.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks. I will certainly look for it.

[@robertvandervelde60]

I am a boer, my grandfather as a young man rode his horse into the boer war and survived thankfully, its been our family's motto since that "the spectre of terror" WILL visit upon the British, sons will pay for their fathers sins.....

[@basilschumann6185]

Time to read the new testament.

[@OldRhino]

​@@basilschumann6185 Hoekom?

[@mgregory3470]

Thank you for your excellent presentation, always well researched. I have an issue with some of the comments though. In making sweeping statements like "Afrikaaner (sic) rule" and " Nationalist propaganda" the speaker is displaying his own arrogance, hidden by forceful statements. I shall name one example: in the museum in Utrecht, a whole section is dedicated to foreign involvement in the Boer side of the war. A whole contingent of Scandinavians were annialated during the battle of Magersfontein, there is monument erected for them. In Utrecht is a monument for a Polish Russian, Pokrofski in front of the NG church, killed during a skirmish in the district, erected during Nationalist and Afrikaner rule, like the above-mentioned. With a little research, and enriching one's knowledge, a much better enlightened opinion can be aired. Interestingly, an annual wreathlaying seremony takes place, attended by a high-ranking Russian delegation, and some locals, at the Pokrofsky monument in Utrecht.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks for your comment and for providing details of a situation that defies over-simplification.

[@SilviaSnyman-n4w]

Katy mense van dag Nog spoke my ouma het altyd Vir ons spoke storie ver tel❤❤

[@JustOfftheHighway]

En toe moes ons met 'n lang donker gang afstap na die slaapkamer!

[@daleneoberholster125]

Kan hy dalk familie van my wees? My moeder was, n van As. Baie, baie interessant. Baie dankie! Wil net sè, die van As familie is maar min.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Dit is moontlik. Veral as julle familie in daardie omgewing gewoon het.

[@AnnePritchard-m8h]

Going on not hoping in...sorry typo

[@thewanderer6637]

Quit the music while you are talking and you'll have many more viewers. Guaranteed.

[@CorneEngelbrecht78]

Hello. Based on what stats do you say this?

[@georgejohnstone6706]

......agreed ! The music is too loud ND detracts from the story.

[@carolinedecastro4171]

General Loui Botha was wicked. He committed suicide after the war he knew he had made mistakes. He could not live with himself.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Opinions differ. You"ll have to provide sources for claims of suicide.

[@chrisduplessis4172]

What about ww1 12 years after they murdered our women and children.my grandfathers first wife died in the camp while he was a pow in celon

[@aquarius1500]

Praat Afrikaans..man 😂❤

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Ek beter nie. Netnou begin ek nog 'n Anglo-Boere oorlog.

[@jjhout5988]

He does it in English so the British can see what their grandfathers and fathers did to the Boers. But the British crown have always been greedy, and through its actions and greed killed thousands of innocent people, British included.

[@krazykat-f2p]

The background music is most annoying, why oh why must there be this irritation!!!!

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks for that feedback.

[@FrancoisSauer-ys3qc]

Stem gladnie saam,musiek por dramatiese element aan.Video baie geniet.Dankie.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Dankie vir die kommentaar en ondersteuning.

[@jeffbaxter8770]

EVERYBODY does it!! It spoils the tale being told.

[@jeffbaxter8770]

​@@FrancoisSauer-ys3qcexcept if it interferes with the spoken words.

[@ToastSoon4808]

The Irony is that the Brits could not even win the Zulu tribe who fought with spears and shield the second time round. The proud leader of the Brits during the 2nd world war was a POW who escaped. He had to cross the Apies River which by no means is a major river, closer to a wide stream and apparently wrote in his memoirs how he battled the mighty torrents of the Apies. Typically British - he was the man who won the 2nd world war - not the Americans and/or all the countries pulled into it....Britian did. Frankly I dont watch doc's like this anymore. In my opinion the British Empire is a vile disgusting and nausating "institution. They lost the first war against the Afrikaners and left to return on hearing diamods were found. Again they could not win and just brought in more troops. They uniformed the Zulu and gave them rifles. The reason for all the deaths - malnutrition, disease, cold. Some of the areas where they had camps in winter will go well below zero degree celcius. No warm clothing was given. POW's were deported to StHelena and not brought back....including a Zulu king. A Boere general, who was a general by name because thats what the main leader was called, betrayed us after he bumped into two senior English officers - for this he became the Prime Minister. It goes further than that - Afrikaners who refused to swear alligiance to the throne were executed or imprisoned. Bit future down the line those who refused to go to WWI got the same treatment. Keep in mind the Zulu Empire came about plus minus a decade after the Dutch landed. The pioneeds foundedthree Republics - there were rail, buildings, towns, strong farming community. Cecil John Rhodes "bought" all of it for the minerals upto Zimbabwe. The Afrikaners did not colonise southern africa - the British did. The Afrikaners were living in relative peace with the black tribes and bought land - they did not just cruise in there and took what they want. They also helped tribes whose livestock was stolen or war became an issue. Dont readers find it strange that all the arti les and talk is about the Zulu only.....what about all the other tribes of which there are plenty.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Firstly, Just Off the highway is a personal journey, not a documentary. I'm curious about our history and so I'm open to be surprised, whereas you write as if you've 100% made up your mind about what I'm doing. Thanks anyway for your extremely detailed comment.

[@chrisduplessis4172]

What about helping themin ww1 12 years after they murdered our women and children in the camps.my grandfathers first wife died in a camp while he was a pow in celon.

[@noeleneroodt783]

Still amazes me how they sent the Boer men to so many far flung places 😮😮 as pow's. Some were sent to St Helena Island, some to south America. Boggles the mind 😮😢

[@chrisduplessis4172]

What about ww1 12 years after they murdered our women and children. My grand fathers first wife died in a camp while he was a pow in celon

[@AmosSkosana-f8i]

Wow. You can count the Graves? Black people are unaccounted for.

[@CorneEngelbrecht78]

Amos check out Episode 29. You will like that one maybe. 😊

[@JustOfftheHighway]

That's a sweeping and inaccurate comment. The terms "Boer" and "British" are generally accepted and refer to the allegiance of vastly varied forces rather than their detailed racial makeup. The involvement of all races has been extensively documented. If you're interested in Black participation in the Anglo-Boer War, I refer you to the book "Uyadela Wen'osulapho" by historian, Bill Nasson, which is one of the works on the topic.

[@UlandiAnnandale]

Thanks!

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!

[@joleneengelbrecht284]

Thanks

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thank you very much for your generous support! 🙏

[@CorneEngelbrecht78]

Thanks!

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks very much for supporting Just Off the Highway! 🙏