20th century – 20th century
German East Africa, Portuguese East Africa, Northern Rhodesia
Von Lettow-Vorbeck’s East African campaign was a German colonial military strategy that used prolonged mobile and guerrilla warfare to occupy a far larger Allied force throughout the First World War. German forces moved through German East Africa, Portuguese East Africa, and Northern Rhodesia, remaining undefeated in the field until the armistice became known. African soldiers and carriers were essential on both sides, while disease caused severe losses among the troops and transport personnel.
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The Story
German East Africa was difficult for Germany to defend because Allied naval supremacy restricted communications and Germany possessed a much smaller colonial force. Once the hope of a rapid German victory in Europe faded, the East African theatre acquired a different strategic purpose. A prolonged campaign could keep Allied colonial troops in Africa instead of allowing them to reinforce the European front.
General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck adopted this strategy with exceptional persistence. Facing forces that at one point exceeded his own by more than ten to one, he avoided a decisive battle and relied on guerrilla tactics to keep the Allies engaged. His column remained undefeated until the end of hostilities, moving through Portuguese East Africa and making its final march into Northern Rhodesia, where he learned of the armistice in Europe.
The scale of the Allied effort was enormous. At a conservative estimate, about 160,000 Allied troops were engaged by von Lettow-Vorbeck’s force, which never exceeded 15,000 men. African troops fought with bravery and were often more effective than white South African troops weakened by disease. Nigerian soldiers endured especially poor rations, while carriers suffered extreme hardships; at least 45,000 were estimated to have died from disease during the campaign.
20th century – 20th century
German East Africa, Portuguese East Africa, Northern Rhodesia
Von Lettow-Vorbeck’s East African campaign was a German colonial military strategy that used prolonged mobile and guerrilla warfare to occupy a far larger Allied force throughout the First World War. German forces moved through German East Africa, Portuguese East Africa, and Northern Rhodesia, remaining undefeated in the field until the armistice became known. African soldiers and carriers were essential on both sides, while disease caused severe losses among the troops and transport personnel.
Continue exploring
The Story
German East Africa was difficult for Germany to defend because Allied naval supremacy restricted communications and Germany possessed a much smaller colonial force. Once the hope of a rapid German victory in Europe faded, the East African theatre acquired a different strategic purpose. A prolonged campaign could keep Allied colonial troops in Africa instead of allowing them to reinforce the European front.
General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck adopted this strategy with exceptional persistence. Facing forces that at one point exceeded his own by more than ten to one, he avoided a decisive battle and relied on guerrilla tactics to keep the Allies engaged. His column remained undefeated until the end of hostilities, moving through Portuguese East Africa and making its final march into Northern Rhodesia, where he learned of the armistice in Europe.
The scale of the Allied effort was enormous. At a conservative estimate, about 160,000 Allied troops were engaged by von Lettow-Vorbeck’s force, which never exceeded 15,000 men. African troops fought with bravery and were often more effective than white South African troops weakened by disease. Nigerian soldiers endured especially poor rations, while carriers suffered extreme hardships; at least 45,000 were estimated to have died from disease during the campaign.
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