East Africa's primary military task in 1877 was to increase its security investment in southern Africa. Among the territories surrounding East Africa, only the Cape Colony possessed the ability to launch a modern large-scale war involving more than ten thousand troops against it.
Especially after the Cape Colony annexed the Orange Free State, Britain gained access to an excellent source of Boer manpower, particularly the residents of the former Republic of the Transvaal.
Provided it had sufficient military funding and weapons, Britain could raise a force of more than ten thousand men in the former Orange Free State.
East Africa quietly increased the number of troops in southern Africa to around fifty thousand. Because of the East Africa-Cape Agreement after the last war, East Africa had reduced troop numbers along the border. This time, therefore, it deployed three divisions centered on New Hamburg Port, Winburg, and Saishen, which belonged to the former Griqualand region. At the same time, it stationed one elite division and two cavalry divisions within Hechingen Province, formerly the Republic of the Transvaal.
Meanwhile, construction of military outposts was strengthened along the Orange River and the Tugela River. Across southern Africa, East Africa followed the European model and newly built more than two hundred military forts of varying sizes.
"We must be prepared for a long war. Every military outpost must stockpile food, water, and ammunition, thoroughly survey the surrounding terrain, and maintain healthy communication with other combat units," Ernst instructed the senior army officers.
"Your Highness, would Cape Town really dare launch a war against us?"
Ernst replied, "All I can say is that it is possible, because the choice is not ours. I have no designs on Cape Town; I simply do not know whether the British have designs on East Africa."
"But that stretch