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My Reminiscences of East Africa
My Reminiscences of East Africa
By General von Lettow-Vorbeck With Portrait, 22 Maps and Sketch-Maps, ∷ —— ∷ —— and 13 Drawings —— ∷ —— ∷ By General von Lettow-Vorbeck’s Adjutant LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, LTD. PATERNOSTER HOUSE, E.C. 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 o
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CHAPTER I BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF WAR
CHAPTER I BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF WAR
WHEN I landed at Dar-es-Salaam in January, 1914, I hardly suspected the nature of the task that was to confront me in a few months’ time. But during the past ten years the universal war had more than once seemed so imminent that I was obliged seriously to consider whether the force under my command would be called upon to take any part in that conflict, and, if so, what its task might be. Owing to the position of the Colony and the weakness of the existing forces—the peace establishment was but
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CHAPTER II THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR
CHAPTER II THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR
For the hostile strengths no authentic figures are at my disposal; I quote from the statements of English officers and Press reports, and they must bear the responsibility for them. According to them over 130 Generals took the field against us, the total strength of the hostile troops was about 300,000, the losses in European and Indian dead amounted to 20,000; horses and mules, 140,000. These numbers, especially those of the General Officers, seem even to me rather exaggerated; I can therefore
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CHAPTER III THE FIRST ACTIONS
CHAPTER III THE FIRST ACTIONS
In the meantime I received reports of the advance of small hostile detachments at Jassini, two marches north of Tanga, and this confirmed me in the belief that the enemy intended to land in that district, and would then rapidly advance into the interior along the Northern Railway. Consequently, the various companies had marched off from different points on the line Dar-es-Salaam-Mpapua, and were for the most part converging on Handeni, while some were directed on other points on the line Tanga-K
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CHAPTER IV THE NOVEMBER ACTIONS AT TANGA
CHAPTER IV THE NOVEMBER ACTIONS AT TANGA
Headquarters reached Korogwe in the evening of the 3rd November. I went to the hospital that had been established there and talked to the wounded who had come in from the action at Tanga on the 3rd. One of them, Lieutenant Merensky, of the Landwehr, reported to me that on the 2nd November, outpost and patrol encounters had taken place near Ras-Kasone, and that on the 3rd the enemy, apparently several thousand strong, who had landed at Ras-Kasone, had attacked the 17th Company east of Tanga. The
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CHAPTER V AWAITING FURTHER EVENTS
CHAPTER V AWAITING FURTHER EVENTS
During the time of comparatively sedentary warfare at New Moshi the material side of life was also pleasant. The Europeans, who mostly belonged to the settler community of the northern territories, provided most of their subsistence themselves; abundant supplies of rice, wheat-flour, bananas, pineapples, European fruit, coffee and potatoes, came in from the plantations. Sugar was provided by the numerous factories, and our principal supply of salt came from the Gottorp salt works, on the Central
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CHAPTER VI FURTHER HEAVY FIGHTING IN THE NORTH-EAST
CHAPTER VI FURTHER HEAVY FIGHTING IN THE NORTH-EAST
Headquarters had now returned to the Totohown-Jassini road. Along this ran a light railway for the work of the plantation, the wagons of which were now continuously employed in taking wounded back to Totohown, where a hospital had been established in the European buildings. Ammunition—of which the Askari carried about 150 rounds—began to run short, and reports from the firing line that they could not hold on longer became more frequent. Slightly wounded who had been tied up and a mass of straggl
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CHAPTER VII GUERILLA WARFARE AND FURTHER PREPARATIONS
CHAPTER VII GUERILLA WARFARE AND FURTHER PREPARATIONS
This capture, increased by a number of other horses and mules we had picked up, enabled us to form a second mounted company. We now had two mounted companies, composed of Askari and Europeans mixed, an organization which proved successful. They provided us with the means of sweeping the extensive desert north of Kilima Njaro with strong patrols who went out for several days at a time; they penetrated even as far as the Uganda and Magad Railways, destroyed bridges, surprised guards posted on the
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CHAPTER VIII AWAITING THE GREAT OFFENSIVE. ENERGETIC USE OF THE TIME AVAILABLE
CHAPTER VIII AWAITING THE GREAT OFFENSIVE. ENERGETIC USE OF THE TIME AVAILABLE
The feeling of comradeship which our Askari had for us Germans, and which was tremendously developed by the numerous expeditions undertaken together, led on this occasion to a curious incident. After climbing Kasigao Mountain by night, among rocks and thorn-bushes, an Askari noticed that Lieutenant von Ruckteschell was bleeding from a scratch on his face. He at once took his sock, which he had probably not changed for six days, and wiped the “Bwana Lieutenant’s” face with it, anticipating the so
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CHAPTER IX THE SUBSIDIARY THEATRES OF WAR. GUERILLA WARFARE ASHORE AND AFLOAT UNTIL NEW YEAR, 1916
CHAPTER IX THE SUBSIDIARY THEATRES OF WAR. GUERILLA WARFARE ASHORE AND AFLOAT UNTIL NEW YEAR, 1916
At first, the enemy’s attacks were principally directed against the coast. At the commencement of the war our light cruiser Königsberg had left the harbour of Dar-es-Salaam and had, on the 29th September, surprised and destroyed the English cruiser Pegasus at Zanzibar. Then several large enemy cruisers had arrived and industriously looked for the Königsberg . On the 19th October, at Lindi, a pinnace steamed up to the steamer Praesident , of the East African Line, which was concealed in the Lukul
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CHAPTER I THE ENEMY’S ATTACK AT OLDOROBO MOUNTAIN
CHAPTER I THE ENEMY’S ATTACK AT OLDOROBO MOUNTAIN
EAST of Oldorobo the enemy now frequently showed considerable bodies of troops, amounting to 1,000 or more men, who deployed in the direction of the mountain at great distances, but did not approach it closely. These movements, therefore, were exercises, by which the young European troops from South Africa were to be trained to move and fight in the bush. Early in February the enemy advanced against Oldorobo from the east with several regiments. For us it was desirable that he should take so fir
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CHAPTER II FURTHER ADVANCE OF THE ENEMY AND THE ACTION AT REATA
CHAPTER II FURTHER ADVANCE OF THE ENEMY AND THE ACTION AT REATA
The situation now developed so rapidly that the gun could not be used against Taveta. It was therefore mounted near the railway at Kahe, on the south bank of the Pangani River, from which position it did excellent service later in the actions at Kahe. On the 10th March the enemy reconnoitred along our whole front. Mounted detachments of about 50 men rode up, dismounted, and then advanced in a widely extended line, leading their horses, until they were fired on. This was their object. The fire di
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CHAPTER III RETREAT BEFORE OVERWHELMING HOSTILE PRESSURE
CHAPTER III RETREAT BEFORE OVERWHELMING HOSTILE PRESSURE
Late in the afternoon I received an urgent message that strong forces of the enemy were advancing in our rear towards the railway at Kissangire, and that the event we feared had actually occurred. I was, therefore, compelled to issue orders for an immediate withdrawal towards Kissangire. The enemy could not yet have reached there in strength, and I hoped to defeat him there by rapidly throwing all my forces against him. Thus it happened that Captain Schulz’s well-directed counter-attack could no
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CHAPTER IV THE ENEMY’S ADVANCE IN THE AREA OF THE NORTHERN RAILWAY
CHAPTER IV THE ENEMY’S ADVANCE IN THE AREA OF THE NORTHERN RAILWAY
The rain came down harder and harder, and the roads became deeper and deeper. At first there were only a few bad places, and twenty or more carriers managed to get us through them by pulling and pushing. The niempara (headmen of carriers) went ahead, dancing and singing. The whole crowd joined in with “ Amsigo ,” and “ Kabubi , kabubi ,” and to the rhythm of these chants the work went on cheerily, and at first easily enough. But on passing through Tulieni we found that the rains had so swollen a
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CHAPTER V BETWEEN THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL RAILWAYS
CHAPTER V BETWEEN THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL RAILWAYS
Early in July I reached Major Kraut, who was holding a fortified position on Kanga Mountain, north-east of Tuliani. I had expected the Askari to be depressed by their retreat, but found them in excellent spirits and full of confidence. In front of their position they had cleared the foreground for 50 to 100 yards and were fully convinced that they could beat off an attack. I employed the time that elapsed before the arrival of the other detachments in reconnaissance, and soon formed a mental pic
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CHAPTER VI CONTINUOUS FIGHTING NEAR THE RUFIJI
CHAPTER VI CONTINUOUS FIGHTING NEAR THE RUFIJI
A telephone line was laid from Kissaki to us, by means of which Captain Tafel kept us continually informed; up to date no enemy had been seen at Kissaki. But to the west of us, patrols reported the enemy to be marching to the south. I therefore moved to Kissaki, and had to destroy some of our stores, which were collected in small depots along our route. Unfortunately, in carrying this out, an efficient Ordnance N.C.O. was accidentally killed, as had happened before on a similar occasion at Morog
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CHAPTER VII HOSTILE ATTACKS IN THE SOUTH-EAST OF THE COLONY
CHAPTER VII HOSTILE ATTACKS IN THE SOUTH-EAST OF THE COLONY
The Banyan Tree. (From a drawing by General von Lettow-Vorbeck’s Adjutant.) Fig. xiii. Battles of Kissaki and Dutumi. Fig. xiv. March of German Main Force, September, 1916, to June, 1917. It has already been mentioned that a pause in the operations had occurred at Kiderengwa; an attack on the enemy, who was entrenched in a strong position, promised no success. Headquarters accordingly left only eight companies, under Captain Tafel, in the Kissaki-Kiderengwa area (and this force was reduced later
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CHAPTER VIII ANXIETIES AND HARDSHIPS DURING OUR STAY IN THE RUFIJI COUNTRY
CHAPTER VIII ANXIETIES AND HARDSHIPS DURING OUR STAY IN THE RUFIJI COUNTRY
In carrying out these drastic measures new difficulties were encountered. A crowd of Askari women had followed the force, and had attached themselves to various camps on the Rufiji, where they were very comfortable. I was most anxious to send them south, where the question of supplies was less difficult. The necessary transport was arranged for, and the women were given rations for the march. After one short day’s march, however, the women simply lay down, and declared that they could go no furt
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CHAPTER IX THE END OF THE FRONTIER DEFENCE IN THE SUBSIDIARY THEATRES
CHAPTER IX THE END OF THE FRONTIER DEFENCE IN THE SUBSIDIARY THEATRES
After numerous minor engagements Major Kraut’s retiring divisions established themselves on the line of the Ruhudje and Ruaha rivers. In the fertile region round Mahenge the supplies were excellent, even after the evacuation of a large part of the rice-field west of the Ruhudje. On this river the enemy had established a strongly fortified camp at Mkapira. With our insufficient resources it was impossible to take this position by force, but there was a chance that by cutting the enemy’s line of c
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CHAPTER X LINDI AND KILWA
CHAPTER X LINDI AND KILWA
Native Types (1). (From a drawing by General von Lettow-Vorbeck’s Adjutant.) Native Types (2). (From a drawing by General von Lettow-Vorbeck’s Adjutant.) In May, 1917, Captain von Lieberman, who, with the 11th and 17th Companies, was occupying an entrenched position at Ngaula, a day’s march south of Kilwa on the Kilwa-Livale road, was attacked by eight companies with two guns. Lieutenant Buechsel, with his 17th Company, made such a heavy flank attack that he completely routed, one after the othe
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CHAPTER XI IN THE SOUTH-EAST CORNER OF THE COLONY
CHAPTER XI IN THE SOUTH-EAST CORNER OF THE COLONY
On the 10th October, 1917, trusting in the fortune of war, I crossed the Linkangara mountains to Mnacho with five companies and two mountain guns. I arrived there at dark and left again at daybreak on the 15th. On the narrow mountain paths the force got very scattered. The guns were left far behind, and the pack-animals gave trouble. Askari and bearers came to the rescue, and again and again Sergeant-Major Sabath rose superior to the difficulties and brought his guns forward. It surprised me tha
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CHAPTER XII THE LAST WEEKS IN GERMAN TERRITORY
CHAPTER XII THE LAST WEEKS IN GERMAN TERRITORY
Under such circumstances an attack could only promise success if the situation was exceptionally favourable. This was never the case. The patrols were kept active, and the enemy harassed as much as possible, but otherwise there was nothing left but for General Wahle’s force and the 11th Field Company, which had been left at Mnacho to bring away the supplies, gradually to give way before the pressure of the enemy and retire to Chiwata. On 10th November the Ndanda mission, immediately in the rear
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CHAPTER I ACROSS THE ROVUMA
CHAPTER I ACROSS THE ROVUMA
EARLY in the morning of November 25th, 1917, our advance guard waded across the Rovuma, a little above the Ludjenda confluence; the main force of nine companies followed in the course of the forenoon, the rearguard about two days’ march in the rear. Captain Goering with three companies had crossed much further downstream to surprise a Portuguese camp reported there. We had no news of Captain Tafel, and I thought it probable that he would strike the Rovuma much further west. The feeling that we w
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CHAPTER II EAST OF THE LUDJENDA
CHAPTER II EAST OF THE LUDJENDA
At Nanungu we found abundant supplies and we thought it expedient, as before, to establish requisitioning stations and supply dumps in the district between Nanungu and Namunu and further south. There was good shooting, and the natives readily brought garden produce and honey to exchange for meat or, preferably, clothing. Very welcome was a delicate sweet, cherry-like Pori fruit, which ripened in millions in the neighbourhood of Nanungu. I preferred to have it made into jam. We also occasionally
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CHAPTER III IN THE REGION OF THE LURIO AND LIKUNGO RIVERS
CHAPTER III IN THE REGION OF THE LURIO AND LIKUNGO RIVERS
From the reports of the natives and our own patrols there was no longer room for doubt that strong enemy forces, which had disembarked at Mozambique, were marching west on the Boma Malema, and were already only a few days’ march from that place. Simultaneous reports were received that troops were also marching towards the Boma Malema from the west, the direction of Malacotera. A few days later the enemy following us from the north reached the Lurio, so we evacuated its northern bank. From captur
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CHAPTER IV ON TO THE SOUTH
CHAPTER IV ON TO THE SOUTH
In the reports which reached us by the runners of Müller’s detachment, the name “Kokosani” was now perpetually recurring. Considerable enemy depots, strongly protected by hostile troops, were to be found there, so it was said. But where was this Kokosani? The word could not be found on our maps. It gradually came to light that Kokosani was the same place that figured on Portuguese maps as Namacurra. In any case, all our previous intelligence, as well as a glance at the situation on the map, show
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CHAPTER V BACK NORTH TO THE NAMACURRA RIVER
CHAPTER V BACK NORTH TO THE NAMACURRA RIVER
Information from our patrols and from the natives indicated that the march of the enemy columns to the south-west had not been pressed so far as I had anticipated. Enemy troops were reported both between the Moniga and the lower Likungo and also at Mujebain; in some cases they were ascertained to be marching south-west. This brought about the extraordinary situation that the enemy troops were marching in several columns south-west while we were passing between these columns in the contrary direc
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CHAPTER VI BACK TO THE LURIO RIVER
CHAPTER VI BACK TO THE LURIO RIVER
We were still two hours east of Numarroe when the advance guard was fired on. An enemy company had camped on our line of march and was slowly and cleverly retreating before us from kopje to kopje in the direction of Numarroe. Lieutenant Ott, who was shot through the chest, was in a very serious condition. With the main body led by Goering’s detachment, I made a detour, and, passing the enemy to the south, made straight for the Boma of Numarroe. Before dark our gun was brought into position and f
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CHAPTER VII ON GERMAN SOIL ONCE MORE
CHAPTER VII ON GERMAN SOIL ONCE MORE
It was highly probable, and later it proved to be the case, that enemy troops would be moved by water to the northern end of Lake Nyassa and march from there on Ubena or further to the north. If I desired to give up the march towards Tabora, and to move instead between Lakes Nyassa and Rukwa, and later between Lakes Nyassa and Tanganyika, to Rhodesia, the time for the change of direction was now approaching and there was not a day to lose; this was all the more so as our freedom of movement was
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CHAPTER VIII THE ADVANCE INTO BRITISH RHODESIA
CHAPTER VIII THE ADVANCE INTO BRITISH RHODESIA
Various reports and statements of prisoners showed that enemy transport was moving from the Broken Hill district to Kasama, and from there onwards to Fife, with motor-cars and ox-wagons. Kasama itself seemed to be a large place and an important road centre. In any case, we could expect enemy depots on the way from Fife to Kasama, and Kasama itself would be a valuable objective. So far as one could tell from the map, the position also seemed to be such that we should be able there to decide to go
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CHAPTER IX THE ARMISTICE AND OUR RETURN HOME
CHAPTER IX THE ARMISTICE AND OUR RETURN HOME
We arrived about eight o’clock, when it was quite dark. Captain Spangenberg was away on a reconnaissance, but Assistant-Paymaster Dohmen and other Europeans looked after me well as soon as they learnt of my arrival. I was able to convince myself that the supply depot of Kasama really existed. I tasted jam and other good things which had been unknown to me hitherto. When Captain Spangenberg came back he told me that he had already heard of the armistice through the English. After I had gone to be
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