African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 485 - 163: Preparing for Battle
In 1877, the main military task in East Africa was to increase security investment in the South African region. Among the neighboring areas of East Africa, only the Cape Colony was capable of launching a modern large-scale war involving tens of thousands of troops against East Africa.
Especially after the Cape Colony merged with the Orange Free State, this gave the British access to excellent Boer manpower, especially those original residents of the Transvaal Republic.
If the military budget and equipment were sufficient, the British could muster up to ten thousand troops in the original Orange Free State region.
East Africa quietly increased the number of its army in South Africa to around fifty thousand. Due to the Dongkai Agreement after the last war, East Africa had reduced its troops in the border area, so this time East Africa, centered around New Hamburg Port, Warm Castle, and Saisen (in the original Griqualand region), deployed three divisions. Additionally, one elite division and two cavalry divisions were deployed within the Heixinggen province (original Transvaal Republic).
At the same time, military strongholds were strengthened along the Orange River and the Tugela River. In the South African region, East Africa followed the European model and newly constructed over two hundred military forts of varying sizes.
"We must prepare for a long-term war. All military strongholds must store grain, water, and ammunition, thoroughly recon the surrounding terrain, and maintain positive communication with other combat units," Ernst instructed the high-ranking army officers.
"Your Highness, would Cape Town really dare to wage war against us?"
Ernst replied, "It’s possible because the choice is not ours. I have no interest in Cape Town; it’s just unknown whether the British have any designs on East Africa."
"But that area of South Africa, except for around Cape Town and Natal, honestly has little value. Its climate isn’t as favorable as other regions. Would the British really go to war with us over such worthless land?"
Ernst: "That depends on specific standards. Even if South African land is poor, is it worse than Australia and Canada? The British could manage with Australia’s deserts and Canada’s forest snowfields, let alone South Africa’s rich pastures."
Of course, Ernst’s comment was somewhat biased. In the regions of Australia and Canada, the British developed only the areas with favorable conditions, as for deserts and ice fields, those were occupied in passing, with no significant threats around, so there was no need to garrison troops, thus naturally incurring no additional burden. It was an easy gain, one even a fool would pursue.
"Moreover, the significance of South Africa is different. Cape Town’s importance to Britain does not diminish simply because of the opening of the Suez Canal. It remains a critical strategic point, so even if the British mainland doesn’t consider it, I believe Cape Town itself would be concerned about any power that could threaten it."
Britain’s four colonies, India, Canada, Australia, and Cape Town, all enjoyed a degree of autonomy. The British immigrants there had their interest and actively pursued expansion to enhance their own power and wealth. A typical example is the "shooting left and right" approach by the Indian colony in Asia.
The existence of East Africa itself is a threat to Cape Town. Not only that, but East Africa now also threatens Egypt and the Mand Strait, so Ernst doesn’t believe the British would ignore East Africa. It’s just a matter of time. What East Africa can do is prepare for war.
Preparation is one thing, but whether Britain will act is another. Even if the British choose to strike, the scale, origin, and duration of their attack remain uncertain.
Therefore, the mobilization in East Africa this time wasn’t too large. What Ernst sought was, if the Cape Town area suddenly attacked East Africa, East Africa must first stabilize the front lines and then exhaust Britain’s strength through attrition warfare.
Turning completely against Britain in today’s era is not something any country can do. Take the United States for example; although it is large enough and industrially advanced and separated by the Atlantic Ocean from Europe, it still has to act subserviently in the face of Britain and France.
Really to offend Britain to the death, unless Germany and Austria step in, but that would be just opposing Britain. If a world war were to occur, just Germany and Austria wouldn’t suffice unless another major power joined the alliance.
Currently, East Africa’s land area is significant, but in other aspects, it’s far behind the major powers, perhaps equivalent to two Belgiums at most.
"If war breaks out, our strategy should neither be too aggressive nor too weak. Turn a short-term war into a long-term one, deplete the enemy’s national strength while vying for international standing."
International standing is earned from conflicts. Although making friends can also achieve respect, emotions hold little sway over national interests. Even family can turn against each other for interests. Therefore, only strength holds true sway. Even if others are verbally resistant, they must adhere physically.
In a previous life, the Boers showed Germany Britain’s weakness through the Boer War. Although later events proved Britain still had significant power, using its strong national power to suppress Germany’s quest for European dominance, Britain lost its status as a world overlord.
"If war is unavoidable, I hope the outbreak happens in South Africa. We’re not afraid of an attrition war, especially in the South African region."
South Africa is significant, especially resource-rich, yet it doesn’t change the fact that South Africa, within East Africa’s territory, remains barren land with almost no industry and agriculture. Therefore, if South Africa becomes a battleground, Ernst wouldn’t be heartbroken, as the enemy would have almost no means to attack East Africa’s industry, agriculture, and cities in the South African region.
Without the Orange Free State, South Africa is East Africa’s own buffer zone. In this area, East Africa can freely contend with invaders without worrying about civilian issues, considering the entire South African immigrant population is minimal.
As long as South Africa isn’t lost, East Africa can consistently supply the battlefield using the Central Railway from the rear.
In reality, East Africa could muster a massive force, mobilizing a million troops to directly crush Cape Town, but that doesn’t align with Ernst’s expectations. Not to mention the massive warfare costs East Africa would have to bear, hindering East Africa’s development. Moreover, it doesn’t help to deplete Britain’s focus. If it scares the British away, shifting the battle from land to sea would be a dimension reduction blow to East Africa.
Therefore, if the two countries go to war, Ernst’s goal is to provide the British army with an illusion: I can win! As long as the parliament allocates more military budget, every day can be a victory report.
Additionally, East Africa can use the war to boost and test the strength of the East African army. Frankly, Ernst has always suspected the combat effectiveness of the East African army because East Africa has fought too many favorable battles without engaging with truly capable enemies.
The British are a good target. If it were the armies of Germany, France, Russia, or Austria, East Africa would need to go all out. If it’s the British army, the importance would definitely be lower. The British army, in its state of being strong yet not strong, is an excellent sharpening stone.
Of course, we can’t underestimate the economic stimulus power of war. If war breaks out, East Africa’s industry can also revolve around the war, testing East Africa’s industrial system management capabilities, especially military industry development.
Of course, Ernst isn’t a war fanatic. If the two countries don’t go to war, that’s best. For East Africa, peaceful development is the best choice. East Africa’s territory and population, with gradual accumulation, only require a few decades to become a world power. However, East Africa is already caught in the whirlpool of global upheaval, with no control over its choices.
Therefore, Ernst concluded, "If people do not offend me, I do not offend them; if people offend me, I must offend them. We in East Africa hold no hostility towards Britain (as if), but if war breaks out, the advantage will surely be on our side."
