Boer / Cartoon / Uk General
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Boer / Cartoon / Uk General
CARTOONS A British general on reconnaissance during the Boer War discovers a mountain. Satire on British incompetence. Date: 1900
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Media ID 14273201
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Boer Discovers Incompetence Reconnaissance Satire Satirical
EDITORS COMMENTS
This satirical cartoon, published in 1900 during the height of the Second Boer War, depicts a bumbling British general on reconnaissance in Africa. The scene shows the general, dressed in full military regalia, standing at the base of a towering mountain with a puzzled expression on his face. A map is spread out before him, and a native guide points to the mountain, saying "This is the place, Sahib." The cartoonist's wit is evident in the general's exaggerated response, as he exclaims, "My dear fellow, I've been searching for weeks for this blasted thing! I've sent out scouting parties, dispatched aerial reconnaissance, and even consulted my astrologer. And all this time it was just sitting here in plain sight!" The mountain, depicted as a caricatured version of the iconic Table Mountain in South Africa, is labeled "The Enigma," adding to the satirical tone of the image. The cartoon is a scathing commentary on the perceived incompetence of the British military during the Boer War. Despite their advanced technology and resources, they were unable to gain a clear understanding of the terrain and were often outmaneuvered by the Boer guerrilla fighters. The cartoon also highlights the cultural biases of the time, with the native guide depicted as a stereotypical "other," and the British general as the bumbling, inept authority figure. This image serves as a reminder of the complex and often problematic relationship between European powers and the peoples of Africa during the colonial era.
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