Kitchener succeeds Roberts as Commander-in-Chief

On Lord Roberts' return to England in November 1900 Lord Kitchener succeeded him as Commander-in-Chief of the British forces during the second Anglo Boer War (1989-1902). He received the local rank of general around the same time. Kitchener was frustrated with the state of affairs and was extreme in his views of what it would take to end the war. He thought a new approach was necessary to counter-act to the Boers' guerrilla war. His new strategy consisted of three measures. Firstly, the two Boer Republics were systematically destroyed - farmsteads and many towns were burned and food supplies were destroyed. Livestock were driven away or killed. Secondly, drives began aimed at capturing the Boer commandos. For this, Kitchener made use of cavalry instead of infantry. To aid the drives, lines of blockhouses were erected to confine the movement of the Boer commandos. Thirdly, Boer women and children and some Black South Africans were placed in concentration camps. This was considered one of the most horrific strategies of the war as approximately 26 000 Boer women and children and 14,000 Black South Africans died in over-crowded, unsanitary and ill-organized camps. Kitchener's ruthless tactics ensured that the war came to a close in June 1902. Kitchener was rewarded by advancement to the dignity of Viscount, promotion to the substantive rank of General "for distinguished service," the thanks of British parliament and a grant of £50,000. He was also included in the Order of Merit.