Open AccessA coherent group of people of mixed European and native ancestry left the Northwestern Cape Colony in 1868 and in 1870 settled in Rehoboth and its environment in the territory which later became known as German South- West Africa. By virtue of the German-Baster Friendship and Protection Treaty of Septeber 1885, the already acquired freedom and rights of these Basters were to a large extent confirmed. The Basters were however increasingly used by the Germans to assist them in subjugating the indigenous inhabitants. The Basters were furthermore, by means of the Military Treaty of 26 July 1895, bound to do military service. During the period 1893 to 1905 the Rehoboth Basters rendered valuable military assistance to the Germans in establishing their colonial rule.