19th century
Hoornkrans, southern Namibia
The German attack on Hoornkrans was a surprise assault launched against Hendrik Witbooi’s headquarters in April 1893. German troops killed inhabitants, including women, wounded others, captured prisoners, and transported survivors to Windhoek. Witbooi escaped with a body of fighters and continued the conflict through mobile attacks from the Naukluft Mountains, making the assault a key episode in the escalation of German–Nama warfare.
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The Story
The attack on Hoornkrans followed the arrival of 215 German soldiers at Walvis Bay on 17 March 1893. Hugo von François used the reinforcement to launch a surprise assault on Hendrik Witbooi’s headquarters. On the night of 12 April, German forces attacked Hoornkrans, killing 80 people according to official figures and wounding 100 others.
The assault affected civilians as well as combatants. Press reports stated that women and children remaining in the settlement were shot by German troops, while approximately 70 prisoners were taken to Windhoek. Witbooi later described the destruction of homes and the burning of corpses, presenting the attack as evidence of the brutality of German warfare.
Witbooi escaped with approximately 200 fighters and soon mounted a successful campaign against von François. From bases in the Naukluft Mountains, his forces used mobile tactics, appeared near Windhoek, disrupted German supplies, and attracted additional supporters. The attack therefore failed to end resistance and instead contributed to the sustained armed conflict that confronted German rule in the following years.
19th century
Hoornkrans, southern Namibia
The German attack on Hoornkrans was a surprise assault launched against Hendrik Witbooi’s headquarters in April 1893. German troops killed inhabitants, including women, wounded others, captured prisoners, and transported survivors to Windhoek. Witbooi escaped with a body of fighters and continued the conflict through mobile attacks from the Naukluft Mountains, making the assault a key episode in the escalation of German–Nama warfare.
Continue exploring
The Story
The attack on Hoornkrans followed the arrival of 215 German soldiers at Walvis Bay on 17 March 1893. Hugo von François used the reinforcement to launch a surprise assault on Hendrik Witbooi’s headquarters. On the night of 12 April, German forces attacked Hoornkrans, killing 80 people according to official figures and wounding 100 others.
The assault affected civilians as well as combatants. Press reports stated that women and children remaining in the settlement were shot by German troops, while approximately 70 prisoners were taken to Windhoek. Witbooi later described the destruction of homes and the burning of corpses, presenting the attack as evidence of the brutality of German warfare.
Witbooi escaped with approximately 200 fighters and soon mounted a successful campaign against von François. From bases in the Naukluft Mountains, his forces used mobile tactics, appeared near Windhoek, disrupted German supplies, and attracted additional supporters. The attack therefore failed to end resistance and instead contributed to the sustained armed conflict that confronted German rule in the following years.
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