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ORDER OF BATTLE // September 26, 1914

Battle of Sandfontein

Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.

Forces engaged

1 sides catalogued · combined 1,700 estimated

  • Germany

    1,700

    Medium-confidence figure

Battle context

The Battle of Sandfontein, fought on 26 September 1914, was an engagement between the Union Defence Force of South Africa and the German Empire during the first stage of the South West Africa Campaign of World War I. The German victory at Sandfontein secured an early operational advantage for German forces in the territory and demonstrated the difficulties the Union Defence Force would face in prosecuting the campaign. As part of the opening phase of the South West Africa Campaign, the outcome shaped the conditions under which subsequent South African operations would need to be conducted.

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Last verified June 2026
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