Guerre des Boers (Afrique du Sud, 1899-1902): Pontoon Bridge built by Royal Engineers across the...

Guerre des Boers (Afrique du Sud, 1899-1902): Pontoon Bridge built by Royal Engineers across the Modder, South Africa', 1900. One of a boxed set of stereoscope photographs produced for sale to the general public by a professional firm of photographers, Underwood and Underwood. The Second Boer War (1899-1902) was the first war to be covered comprehensively by both film and still photography. This was the result of improved technology in both photographic equipment and printing techniques. This temporary bridge took only two hours to construct. The Royal Engineers were kept busy repairing or replacing bridges and railway lines destroyed or damaged by the retreating Boers as British forces advanced from February 1900. In the last two years of the war, the Boers adopted guerrilla tactics, continuing to disrupt communications and supply lines by sabotage. ©SSPL/National Media Museum