The Undefeated - Nama In Botswana (PART 4)

The core of the Nama resistance comprised some 3,000 armed horsemen, who were initially mobilised into commandos under the following group Kaptiens: /Khoenesen or Witbooi led by Hendrik Witbooi (up to 1,000 armed men); !Kharakhoen  or Fransman under Simon Kooper (700 armed men); Gaminun or Bondelswarts of Johannes Christian with Jakob Marengo and Abraham Morris (500 armed men);!Aman or Bethani under Cornelius Frederiks (500 armed men); Hawoben or Veldschoendragers under Jan Hendrik (200 armed men); and Khaikhaun or Red Nation under Manasse !Noreseb, (100 armed men).

German attempts to force the Nama commandos into open battle led to a series of larger engagements at the end of 1904, which resulted in considerable casualties on both sides. While detailed information about Nama losses is incomplete, the extent and timing of the German casualties are reflected by the military graves yards that still dot the Namibian landscape, as well as in historical documents.