h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Boer War was fought by mounted troops ranging across the interior of South Africa. However, there was one naval engagement. Where did it occur? One of the commanders later had a unique claim to fame on the world stage. What was his name, and claim to fame?

the british navy dragged some guns in land and used them to lift os impose a siege

Nope.

They did a lot of that sort of thing around the Mediterranean, but never in South Africa,

i beg to differ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QF_12_pounder_12_cwt_naval_gun

welcome InfiniteImp

Excellent question

Boer War the question should be posted in this style QI-Boer War otherwise folk wont recognise this as a question

I think InfiniteImp is talking muzzle loaders Taff lets go with this and see where it ends...

Welcome also, Good question. Has me totally stumped.


I shall lurk with interest.

And citing Wikipedia like it was *proof*, tut, tut

ok not wiki

http://www.britishbattles.com/great-boer-war/modder-river.htm

And restoring the correct and proper subject line.

I'm going to guess that the commander's claim to fame was that he was the Captain that later sank the Titanic.

Thanks for changing the subject line, and thanks for the extra info, Taff.

No, I'm not talking about muzzle-loaders or the Titanic. The commander in queastion was fighting on the Boer side.

Presumably in those days troops would have travelled by boat at least part of the way as it would have been impossible to get to South Africa by land and they had no planes. So did they attack a troop ship on its way to the fighting somewhere?

Did the commander have anything to do with sinking the Lusitania? Is that even possible given the timespan?

Very good. It was an attack on a troop ship, or at least a military ship.

The sinking of the Lusitania was within the time frame, but no, I'm not aware of any connection.

Is that it? Nobody interested in the name of the Boer general? Or what he did on the world stage that makes him unique (clue: other people did it once, he's the only person who did it more than once). Nobody wants to take a guess at where the attack took place?

Interested yes, but still lurking. My knowledge of military conflicts is to put in generously, minimal.

His interntional achievements were not military.

It's the weekend. Wait till everybody goes back to work tomorrow

OK. Just as long as it doesn't affect the nation's productivity.

Be assured, InfiniteImp, If I had a glimmer I'd be all over you - and your thread.