The Petticoat Commando Boer Women in Secret Service

The Petticoat Commando: Boer Women in Secret Service by Johanna Brandt is a remarkable account of the vital role played by Boer women during the Second Boer War (1899-1902). Written by a Boer woman who was directly involved in the war the book focuses on the courageous and often covert contributions of women who supported the Boer forces through espionage intelligence gathering and active participation in the war effort. Brandt herself a participant describes the bravery of women who defied traditional gender roles to serve in ways that were crucial to the Boer struggle against the British Empire.The book highlights stories of women who worked as spies couriers and combatants often using their perceived roles as wives or civilians to gain access to critical information or to smuggle supplies. It portrays the strength resilience and determination of these women shedding light on their significant yet often overlooked contributions to the Boer cause. Through Brandt's perspective readers are offered a unique insight into the gender dynamics of wartime South Africa and the ways in which Boer women were instrumental in supporting the military while facing the dangers and hardships of the war.