Source: File: General
Kemp (left) and an unknown rebel (middle) in uniforms issued by the Germans.
Maritz is on the right.jpg, 2015. The Soldiers Burden- Boer Rebels and the Kaiser's
Men. [online] Available at:<http://www.kaiserscross.com/40184/157701.html> [Accessed: 11 February
2015].
A South African man, known by varied
Titles, was born 1876 - with birth
name
Of Salmon Gerhardus Maritz, who
would
Be known as Gerrit Maritz and become
Manie Maritz – The South African man
To take part in the Second Boer war
to be
Promoted in the field, to rank of
general -
A fact that remained as unconfirmed.
After the peace treaty in 1902,
Maritz
Left for Madagascar and then to
German
South Africa - with his return to
Orange
Free State, he became a Policeman -
With a reputation for carrying out
cruelty.
With the 1914 war, Maritz then
became
A leader In the Boer revolt - then to
give
His name To the Maritz Rebellion – made
Of rebels that sought independence,
From Britain - Maritz during this
time sided
With Germany and signed a treaty of
unity.
Given support by German
Government,
Maritz rebel forces were to be
provided
Weapons - and even soldiers – the
leader
Was also to be made a General within
The German Army - Maritz then wore
The Battle uniform of German Force -
Complete with treacherous Insignia.
This now rebel leader and renegade,
Of the Union proved himself a duel
Traitor - with his making a
conference
With the Union Officers with a move
To provide them his own surrender.
Maritz asked the Union leaders if
his
Life would be spared – but was told
No special condition could be
granted
For him - that the Union Government
Had the power to execute - as they
had
Done with the rebel Wessel Wessels.
Manie Maritz departed from the
meeting,
Held at the Loyalist Camp, in taking
on
An agreement -that in giving his
surrender
Should also bring in the German
Artillery.
So reported the Pretoria News – how
Maritz made his plan - with the
reason
To take an organised attack on
Kakamas.
In order to lead the Germans artillery
There into a trap – Then came
discovery
Of their General Maritz’s treachery.
The German artillery opened fire upon
The town of Kakamas, to find
themselves
Beaten off - only to gain severe losses
It was believed that Maritz was
arrested,
By the deceived Germans - with the
belief
Of him being immediately executed.
The truth was to be quite different
- in 1915
Manie Maritz fled to Europe, to die
in 1940.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. Reported Death of the Traitor Maritz
– Executed by Germans – Remarkable Duplicity. The Daily Telegraph,
[online] 11 Feb. P.10.
Col.4. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11403365/Daily-Telegraph-February-11-1915.html
[Accessed: 11 February 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 1 February 2015).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11403365/Daily-Telegraph-February-11-1915.html
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1South Africa
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