Von Lettow-Vorbeck’s Masterpiece
For those who know me, the French Indian Wars and this WW1 campaign are my favourite periods. I have been hanging out for this one from Osprey for some time. Unfortunately it is not available until the end of this month.
A fascinating, beautifully illustrated study of the daring war in East Africa waged by German colonial forces under Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck against the wide array of colonial and expeditionary forces of the Allied Powers.
The East African Campaign in World War I comprised a series of battles and guerrilla actions which began in German East Africa in 1914 and spread to portions of Portuguese Mozambique, northern Rhodesia, British East Africa, the Uganda Protectorate, and the Belgian Congo. German colonial forces under Lieutenant-Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck attempt to divert Allied forces from the Western Front. Despite the efforts of the Allied forces, Lettow-Vorbeck’s troops remained undefeated at the end of the war.
In this fascinating work, David Smith (not this David Smith) documents how a wide array of British, Indian, South African, Belgian, Portuguese and local native forces invaded German East Africa and slowly ousted the German forces, a process made tortuous by Lettow-Vorbeck’s masterful management of the campaign. Among the events covered in this work are the Battle of Tanga, the scuttling of the Königsberg, the German railway campaign, and the battles at Salaita Hill, Kondoa-Irangi, Mahenge, Mahiwa and Namacurra. Colourful period and specially commissioned illustrations bring to life a wide-ranging and eventful campaign in which a high price was extracted for every inch of ground given up. Osprey blurb.
It seems to cover all of the major events of the campaign, but it will be interesting if it covers Hippopotami rampaging through the British camp and overturning boats at a river crossing; or large cats stalking one of the battlefields picking off the unwary.
Sounds very interesting. I know nothing about this campaign but I’m certainly intrigued to learn more. You can’t go wrong with Osprey books.
Thanks IRO it is a really fascinating campaign that is well worth a google search.
Very interesting. A facet of The Great War I’ve never heard anything about until this post…
Lettow-Vorbeck was the only undefeated German Commander during the First World War. It is a fascinating campaign where the most pressing danger was the jungle, disease, and wild animals and not your enemy. The sinking of the SMS Königsberg was made famous by the 1976 movie “Shout at the Enemy” although it was only loosely based upon the truth.
The story of the light cruiser Konigsberg is fascinating. I think the wreck is still in the Rfuji River.
Hi Mark it was still visible until 1965 when the last of it sunk in the mud during a storm. The wreck is now completely buried in the mud of the river bottom, although the hull itself, including funnels and anchor chains is, as far as is known, still intact.
Very interesting story Dave I’m sure the new book will be a ripper as with most Osprey books.
I am hoping so.