The former, whose sobriquet of "Zarps" war made more famous with the British than peace had rendered it infamous, numbered some 1,200 whites and 200 blacks under 13 officers and 64 non-commissioned officers. In peace time they were stationed chiefly in Johannesburg, with detachments at Pretoria, Krugersdorp, and a few outlying stations. Qualifications for service were an age of 21 years, with burgher rights by birth, and the term for three years, with subsequent yearly renewals.
The S.A.R. Police, who were a purely regular force, were divided into foot and mounted organisations of about 800 and 500 respectively. They were thoroughly drilled, their fire discipline being on the most approved German model. Their rigid training, however, had apparently robbed them of much of the individual initiative which safeguarded the persons and lost the battles of their less educated compatriots in the ranks of the commandos.
Police, Swaziland.
The Swaziland Police were a small body of some 300 white and black men, commanded by eight officers and 27 of non-commissioned rank. Their formation was much more that of an ordinary commando than that of the Europeanised "Zarps," and, in fact, from the commencement of the war, they operated as a wing of the local commando.
REGULAR FORCES OF THE FREE STATE.
Free State Regulars.
These consisted of artillery only, numbering some 375 men (including 200 reservists), and possessed of the following armament:—[75]
- 14 Krupp Guns 75 m/m, with 9,008 rounds.
- 5 Armstrong Guns 9-pr., with 1,300 rounds,
- 1 Krupp Q.F. 37 m/m. Ammunition not known.
- 3 Armstrong Mountain Guns 3-pr., with 786 rounds.
- 3 Maxim Guns.
With all furniture and wagons complete.
Inferior organisation.