Johan Hendrik Breytenbach facts for kids
Johan Hendrik Breytenbach (1917 – 3 January 1994) was the official South African state historian for the Second Boer War. He was employed by the National Archives in Pretoria and studied the Second Boer War since 1940. In 1959 the Minister of Education, Arts and Science appointed Breytenbach state historian for the Second Boer War, supervised by the Department of History of the University of Pretoria. When Breytenbach died in 1994, he had published five volumes of his Die Geskiedenis van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog in Suid-Afrika, 1899–1902 (translated title: The History of the Second War of Independence in South Africa, 1899–1902) between 1969 and 1983, with two further volumes at the planning stage. Using Breytenbach's notes, the State Archives finalised and published Volume 6 posthumously in 1996, concluding with a treatment of the Battle of Bergendal (21-27 August 1900). Apart from this major work Breytenbach published many books and articles on South African history.
Quotes
Breytenbach on the reason to undertake Die Geskiedenis van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog in Suid-Afrika, 1899–1902:
(Translation) There are various reasons why the Government of the Republic of South Africa decided to have the history of the Second War of Independence described and published. Firstly, it is the largest and most glorious war ever fought in South Africa... Yet the history of the war in its entirety has never been scientifically described.... Secondly, the works fully treating the war all suffer from serious defects. In most, truth and fabrication are so mixed up due to the writers' sentiments that they fail to give a faithful picture of what really happened. Again, the few exceptions are all based on incomplete and hasty research... Furthermore, these works are not scientifically accounted for... The compiler of the present work has devoted himself since 1940 continuously to an in-depth study of the sources... Many of which are propaganda...
—Johan Hendrik Breytenbach, Die Geskiedenis van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog in Suid-Afrika, 1899–1902. Deel I. Die Boere-offensief, Okt. – Nov. 1899. Voorwoord, page ix. In Afrikaans. (Translated title: The History of the Second War of Independence in South Africa, 1899–1902. The Boer Offensive, Oct. – Nov. 1899. Foreword.)
Breytenbach justified Boer general Piet Cronjé's controversial surrender to the British at the Battle of Paardeberg on 27 February 1900:
(Translation) That general Piet Cronjé surrendered on Majuba Day was not his fault, and the small group of women and children in his encampment had nothing to do with it. In order to understand his capitulation, it is essential to grasp two things well: the first is that his approximately 4,000 infantry who had only 5 cannons, were trapped by a superior force of approximately 40,000 soldiers with 100 cannons, and that he was also cut off from De Wet's burghers outside the British encirclement line by a completely unfordable river.
—Johan Hendrik Breytenbach, Die Geskiedenis van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog in Suid-Afrika, 1899–1902. Deel IV. Die Boereterugtog uit Kaapland (1974). Hoofstuk XVII. Die oorgawe van Genl. Cronjé. 7. Konklusie, page 427. In Afrikaans. (Translated title: The History of the Second War of Independence in South Africa, 1899–1902. Vol. IV. The Boer retreat from the Cape Colony. Chapter XVII. The surrender of General Cronjé.)
