World War I German East Africa

ww1 memorial in iringa, tanzania.

the story of gea during world war history of colony s military commander, general paul emil von lettow-vorbeck. vibrant officer, spent war harrying forces of british empire, tying down band of 3,500 europeans , 12,000 native askaris , porters british/imperial army of 40,000, @ times commanded former second boer war commander jan smuts. 1 of greatest victories @ battle of tanga (3–5 november 1914), von lettow-vorbeck defeated british force more 8 times size of own.

lettow-vorbeck s guerilla campaign compelled britain commit significant resources minor colonial theatre throughout war , inflicted upwards of 10,000 casualties. eventually, weight of numbers, after forces coming belgian congo had attacked west (battle of tabora), , dwindling supplies forced lettow-vorbeck abandon colony. withdrew south portuguese mozambique, northern rhodesia agreed ceasefire 3 days after end of war after receiving news of armistice between warring nations.

a 200 german east african rupie provisional banknote issued in dar es salaam 1915–17. currency had printed locally due significant lack of provisions resulting naval blockade.

lettow-vorbeck acclaimed after war 1 of germany s heroes. schutztruppe celebrated colonial german force during world war not defeated in open combat, although retreated when outnumbered. askari colonial troops had fought in east african campaign later given pension payments weimar republic , federal republic of germany (west germany).

the german light cruiser sms königsberg fought off coast of african great lakes region. scuttled in rufiji delta in july 1915 after running low on coal , spare parts, , subsequently blockaded , bombarded brittish. surviving crew stripped out remaining ship s guns , mounted them on gun carriages, before joining land forces, adding considerably effectiveness.

the portuguese flanked germans, while encamped @ ngomano on 25 november 1917

another , smaller campaign conducted on shores of southern lake tanganyika on 1914–15. involved makeshift british , belgian flotilla, , reichsheer garrison @ bismarckburg (modern day kasanga).