Chapter I: Preface

IN all the German colonies, though but a few decades old, a life full of promise was discernible. We were beginning to understand the national value of our colonial possessions; settlers and capital were venturing in; industries and factories were beginning to flourish. Compared with that of other nations, the colonizing process of Germany had progressed peacefully and steadily, and the inhabitants had confidence in the justice of German administration. This development had barely commenced when it was destroyed by the world war. In spite of all tangible proofs to the contrary, an unjustifiable campaign of falsehood is being conducted in order to make the world believe that the Germans lacked colonizing talent and were cruel to the natives.

A small force, mainly composed of these very natives, opposed this development. Almost without any external means of coercion, even without immediate payment, this force, with its numerous native followers, faithfully followed its German leaders throughout the whole of the prolonged war against a more than hundredfold superiority. When the armistice came it was still fit to fight, and imbued with the best soldierly spirit. That is a fact which cannot be controverted, and is in itself a sufficient answer to the hostile mis-statements.

It has not been possible for me to give an exhaustive account of the operations of the German East African Protective Force. The existing material is insufficient, much has been lost, and even now I am unacquainted with various events, the actors in which have not yet returned home. My own records have for the most part been lost, and I had not the leisure to prepare a detailed description of the campaign in East Africa in addition to my other duties. My account is therefore necessarily incomplete. In the main I must rely upon my memory and on my personal experiences. Errors in detail are unavoidable.

But in spite of this, the following account may not be without value, nor perhaps without interest, since it shows how what is up to the present the greatest drama in our colonial history was enacted in the head of him who was destined to conduct the military side of it. I have endeavoured to set down my recollections of East Africa as they actually are, and thus at least to present what is subjectively correct.

CONTENTS

PART I

EVENTS PREVIOUS TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICANS

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CHAPTER I.: BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF WAR 3

Reflections on the duties and purpose of the Protective Force.
Details of the defensive capacity of the Colony. Distribution,
armament and training of the Force. Military employment
and mental attitude of the natives. Economic value of the
country, and furtherance of the economic power of the natives.
Horse-breeding and hunting. Several tours of inspection.
National propaganda on the part of subsequently hostile
Missions in the neighbouring territories.

CHAPTER II.: THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR 18

Arrival of news of mobilization. Participation in the war
or neutrality? The strength of the Protective Force and the
English casualties. The English Consul and his activity. The
Governor of the Colony, the supreme military authority, and the
defence of the coastal towns. Preparations for mobilization.
Lines of communication, maintenance and supplies. Sanitation.
Malaria.

CHAPTER III.: THE FIRST ACTIONS 27

Bombardment of the wireless tower at Dar-es-Salaam.
Negotiations for capitulation by the civil authorities. The
_Königsberg_ and the _Möve_. Capture of Taveta. Transfer
of the main body to the Northern Railway. New telegraphic
communications. Bombardment of Bagamoyo. Attack on the British
Uganda Railway. Attacks on British Karunga on Lake Nyassa.
Guerilla warfare in the North.

CHAPTER IV.: THE NOVEMBER ACTIONS AT TANGA 35

Reconnaissances at Tanga. Appearance of an English landing
corps. Concentration of all available troops. First combats at
Ras-Kasone. Reconnaissance in abandoned Tanga. The surroundings
of the probable field of battle. Disposition of the companies.
The hostile landing. The attack. Unfavourable situation of
the defenders. Counter-attack by the reinforcements. Headlong
flight of the enemy. Failure of the pursuit. Harassing the
enemy at the landing-place. Enormous English losses. The
trained bees. Negotiations for release of the wounded. Great
booty. Our own losses. In the hospitals. Simultaneous events at
Longido Mountain.

CHAPTER V.: AWAITING FURTHER EVENTS 49

Withdrawal of the troops to New Moshi. Work at Headquarters.
Motor transport _versus_ carriers. Reconnaissances by motor.
Supply and transport. Roads on the lines of communication. The
burden of work and the joy of work. Abundant supplies. The
starving Lieutenant. The joys of Sunday sport. Meat supply for
the troops.

CHAPTER VI.: FURTHER HEAVY FIGHTING IN THE NORTH-EAST 56

Advance of hostile forces at Jassini. Reconnaissance in view of
a possible battle. Advance of the German Companies against the
English positions. Surprise and surrounding of the entrenched
enemy. Bad fighting of the Arab Corps. Gallant defence by the
enemy. Difficult situation of the attackers. The enemy hoists
the white flag.

CHAPTER VII.: GUERILLA WARFARE AND FURTHER PREPARATIONS 63

Necessity for economizing men and stores. Care of the wounded.
A wireless message from home. Raids in the Longido district.
“A damned good piece of work.” Despatch of patrols to destroy
the railway. Suffering and death in the steppe. Arrival of a
relief ship. Feverish manufacture of ammunition. An advance
near Oldorobo Mountain. Abundance of raw material and lack
of finished articles. New industries to supply our needs.
Roadmaking. Increase in numbers and fighting value of the
troops.

CHAPTER VIII.: AWAITING THE GREAT OFFENSIVE. ENERGETIC USE OF
THE TIME AVAILABLE 73

CHAPTER IX.: THE SUBSIDIARY THEATRES OF WAR. GUERILLA WARFARE
ASHORE AND AFLOAT UNTIL NEW YEAR, 1916 82

Hostile Masai attack on Lake Victoria. The _Königsberg_ on the
Rufiji. Her glorious end. Another success near Kilimandjaro.
Determined attacks on the English railway. Attack and
occupation of the English Camp on Kasigao Mountain. The enemy’s
measures for protecting the railway. Fighting in the bush.
Consideration of the possibility of resisting an attack by
large hostile forces. Preparations for retiring to the South.
Removal of stores. Determined defence of the position on
Oldorobo Mountain. The new _Mungu_.

PART II

THE CONCENTRIC ATTACK BY SUPERIOR FORCES

(From the arrival of the South African Troops to the loss of
the Colony)

CHAPTER I.: THE ENEMY’S ATTACK AT OLDOROBO MOUNTAIN 103

Several advances by the enemy. The fantastic armoured cars.
The artillery combat. The South African troops. Alleged cruel
orders by the enemy. Reinforcement of the enemy near Mount
Longido. Fight with an Indian patrol. Chivalry of the white
officers. Our brave Askari and the misleading of the English.

CHAPTER II.: FURTHER ADVANCE OF THE ENEMY AND THE ACTION AT
REATA 108

Spies at work. The routes of the enemy’s advance. Possibilities
of defence. The enemy attacks at Kitovo Mountain. The strong
position on the line Reata-Kitovo. The _Königsberg’s_ gun.
Reconnaissance by hostile cavalry. The enemy’s attack and
attempt to surround us. Occupation of new defensive positions.
The enemy’s withdrawal to Taveta. After the battle. Renewed
forward movement by the enemy. Headquarters at Neusteglitz. A
second relief ship.

CHAPTER III.: RETREAT BEFORE OVERWHELMING HOSTILE PRESSURE 119

Plans and considerations. Active attempts at reconnaissance by
the enemy. Preparations for fighting. An attack on the hostile
screen of patrols. Heavy losses. Fresh heavy attacks by the
enemy (21st March). Failure of the counter-attack. An alarmist
report: the enemy behind us. Retreat to Kissangire. The
alarmist report proves to be false. Good spirits of the troops.
Condition of the civilian population. Combat and surrender
of the 28th Company at Lokisale (5th April). Bringing up
auxiliaries. Concentration of the troops on the Central Railway.

CHAPTER IV.: THE ENEMY’S ADVANCE IN THE AREA OF THE NORTHERN
RAILWAY 129

Departure for Korogwe. At Handeni. News from Germany. Obstacles
on the road. The swollen river. On horseback and by light
railway to Kimamba. Reconnaissance south of Kondoa. Lines of
communication and commissariat. In touch with the enemy. In
position. The enemy seems to be evacuating his positions. An
unexpected fight in the night. Our heavy losses. Successful
patrols. Artillery duels. Obtaining supplies from the country.
Failure of an attack by the enemy.

CHAPTER V.: BETWEEN THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL RAILWAYS 140

The enemy advances on the whole northern front. Simultaneous
attacks from the South. Slipping away and outflanking the
enemy. Looking for the enemy’s weakest point. The smart patrol
leader. The enemy’s aerial activity increases. Further advance
to the South by General van Deventer. Weak German forces
resist on a long line. Fighting near the Central Railway.
Reconnaissances. Heavy fighting with the advancing enemy. On
the Wami River.

CHAPTER VI.: CONTINUOUS FIGHTING NEAR THE RUFIJI 149

Hostile attacks from the south-west. What will the enemy do?
An attempt to surround us. The action at Mlali. Retreat to
Kissaki. The moral effect of our retreat. The Boma of Kissaki.
Securing our cattle supply. Defeat of the enemy on the 7th
September. Annihilation of another hostile detachment. German
humanity—English gratitude. A surprise attack at Dutumi (9th
September). Dutumi must be abandoned.

CHAPTER VII.: HOSTILE ATTACKS IN THE SOUTH-EAST OF THE COLONY 159

Our unfavourable position at Kilwa. Futile attacks by the
enemy at Kissangire. Fat obtained from hippo and elephants.
At Mpaganya. A pessimist sent about his business. Advance on
Kissangire. The lost patrol. Successes at Kissangire. The
Portuguese defeated at Newala. In Utete Camp. In a strong
position at Kibata. Artillery preparations. Effect of heavy
shell. An unsuccessful infantry attack. The military situation
at the end of 1916. Powerful enemy attacks at Dutumi and
Kissaki. The enemy fails to get behind us.

CHAPTER VIII.: ANXIETIES AND HARDSHIPS DURING OUR STAY IN THE
RUFIJI COUNTRY 173

The march through the Pori. Camp at Ungwara. The troops lose
their way. Useless mouths. Steps to remedy the threatening
shortage of food. Reduction in the number of carriers.
Reduction of rations. Obstruction. The Askari women. Maize our
help in trouble. A supply branch of the commissariat. Minor
actions in the bush at Ungwara. The commencement of the rains.
Measures for the protection of women and children. The troops
continue their march to the South.

CHAPTER IX.: THE END OF THE FRONTIER DEFENCE IN THE SUBSIDIARY
THEATRES 182

On the Ruhuje and Ruaha Rivers. A hostile attack and its sudden
cessation. The enemy’s mistake. Surrender of Major Grabert.
Division of General Wahle’s force. The march to Tabora.
Back to Kilima Njaro. Major Kraut’s march to the Rovuma.
Supply difficulties and plans for the future. In the rich
Portuguese territory. Patrols towards Kilva. A heavy defeat
of the enemy. Experiments with bread-substitute. Primitive
boots. The crowing cocks. Salt, fat and sugar. The medical
service. “Lettow-Schnaps.” Bandages. Operations with primitive
appliances.

CHAPTER X.: LINDI AND KILWA 190

Hostile reinforcements from the direction of Lindi. Flood of
the Mbemkuru. German advance on Lindi. The enemy penetrates
into the German camp at Lutende. A smart counter-attack.
Further minor actions near Ulindi. We march off to the North.
At Narungombe. Another victory. Too late! Enemy spies under
the white flag. An Imperial greeting from home. The attack at
Narunyu. The bomb in the dentist’s study. Removal of women and
children to Lindi.

CHAPTER XI.: IN THE SOUTH-EAST CORNER OF THE COLONY 207

Concentric advance of the enemy. At Ruponda and Likangara. The
enemy’s uncertainty. Rumours. Action at Mahiva. A brilliant
victory. Changing the plan of attack. The tactics of the enemy
commander. The end of the battle. Losses and booty. Another
action at Lukuledi. Guerilla warfare.

CHAPTER XII.: THE LAST WEEKS IN GERMAN TERRITORY 216

Consultation with the Governor. Considerations. Departure from
Lukuledi. Minor actions in the bush. Shortage of ammunition
and its consequences. Continuous advance of the enemy to
Chivata. We avoid the blow by moving to Nambindinga. Schemes
for voluntarily restricting the strength of the troops. On
the Makonde Plateau. Shortage of water and food. Whither?
Reorganization of the Force at Newala. The hostile patrol and
its letter. At them! Out of sight of the enemy.

PART III

FIGHTING ON FOREIGN SOIL

(From the Crossing into Portuguese East Africa to the Armistice)

CHAPTER I.: ACROSS THE ROVUMA 229

Crossing the river. The enemy’s camp at Ngomano. Assault on the
Portuguese defences. The “Day of the old guns.” Rich booty.
Continuing the march up the Lujenda. Looking for supplies.
A transparent offer by the enemy. News of the surrender of
Captain Tafel. Partition of the Force. Difficulties and
unpleasantness. Capture of several Portuguese camps. Heroic
action of Lieutenant Kempner. At Nangvare. Buffalo fat and
forest fruits. Abundant supplies at Chirumba. Patrols. Approach
of the enemy. Skirmishes. Enemy propaganda. Fresh courage and
confidence.

CHAPTER II.: EAST OF THE LUDJENDA 245

Supply questions. In the rain. Tobacco. At Nanungu. Building
pontoons. Patrols across the Msalu River. News of events in
Europe. A pause in the fighting. Patrols to the coast. The
precious Pori-pig. A new hostile deployment. The patriotic
English. Defeat of the enemy at Mahue. Continual skirmishes.
Against the enemy at Kireka Mountain. An action in the bush.
A wrong report and its consequences. Casualties on both sides
in the last actions. Captain Koehl’s successes. Continuation
of the march to Koroma Mountain. A surprise. The Governor in
danger. Unpleasant losses.

CHAPTER III.: IN THE REGION OF THE LURIO AND LIKUNGO RIVERS 259

On the road to Keriva. The sick and wounded. Camp on the Lurio.
Müller’s detachment captures the Boma of Malema. Hostile
forces approach from various sides. In a rich country. General
Edwards’ precautions. Fighting in the bush. The march continued
to Alto Moloque. The Orange-Boma. Continuous fighting by
patrols. Nampepo Station and other settlements. On the Likunga
River. Rich booty. The natives’ powers of estimation.

CHAPTER IV.: ON TO THE SOUTH 270

Where is the enemy’s ammunition dump? Looking for it.
Awkwardness of long columns. Kokosani-Namekurra. Across the
Lukungo. A success. At Namekurra. The fortified railway
station. Artillery preparations and assault. Flight of enemy
across the Namacurra River. The casualties on both sides.
Extraordinary quantities of supplies and ammunition captured.

CHAPTER V.: BACK NORTH TO THE NAMACURRA RIVER 278

Obstacles in the way of continuing the march to the South.
The enemy’s operations and our own plans. Back across the
Likungo. Marching in several parallel columns. A remarkable
military situation. Looking for booty. At Ociva. The English
and Portuguese prisoners. Capture of the Boma of Tipa. March
to Namirrue. Reconnaissance of enemy’s position on the rocky
mountain. Another enemy appears. Victorious battle with him at
night. Confusion of the enemy’s columns. Fruitless pursuit of
the fleeing enemy. The trench mortar and its effect. Assault of
the rocky mountain. We march away to Pekera. Rest in the camp
at Chalau.

CHAPTER VI.: BACK TO THE LURIO RIVER 289

At Chalau. An English flag of truce. Approach of the enemy.
Withdrawal across the Ligonja. At Ili. March to Numarroe.
Preparing bread for the prisoners. A breakfast in the bush.
Boma of Numarroe. Success of Goering’s detachment. Capture of
the Boma. Casualties on both sides. On over the mountains to
Rigona. Skirmishes. What next? Heavy fighting at Lioma. Heavy
losses. No prospect of greater success. On to the North.
Confusion of the detachments. A difficult march through the
mountains. On the Lurio. Bad health of the troops. Heavy
casualties on both sides. The influenza epidemic.

CHAPTER VII.: ON GERMAN SOIL ONCE MORE 303

Rapid march to the North. Across the Lujenda. A rest-day at
Mwemba. Hostile spies. Distant reconnaissance by patrols.
To Ssongea. Homesickness of the Samarunga. Pangire Mission
Station. Change of direction. Grave news from Europe. At Mbozi
Mission Station. Patrol reports.

CHAPTER VIII.: THE ADVANCE INTO BRITISH RHODESIA 309

On the march to Fife. The enemy in a fortified position.
Fruitless bombardment and continuation of the march. Patrol
fighting. Abundant supply of quinine captured. Studying the
map. By forced marches into Rhodesia. Kajambi Mission Station
and its frightened inhabitants. Capture of Kasawa. Natives
pillaging by order of the English. On towards the Zambesi.