The German East Africa Campaign during World War 1. A masterclass in guerilla warfare

My recent video about “The African Queen”. has resulted in loads of requests to find out more about the Great War in German East Africa.

So, by popular demand, I thought I’d explore this fascinating and, largely, forgotten conflict in a little more detail.

The war in East Africa saw Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck commanding a small army of German colonial troops hold out against an allied army nearly 10x his size for the entire 4-yea war (1914-1918).

Undefeated, he surrendered two weeks after the Armistice in Europe.

This is the story of that war, against a man nicknamed the “Lion of Africa.”

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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I recommend the following book for more information on this campaign

Sources used to produce this video included:
"The First World War" - John Keegan
"The Great War" - John Terraine
"Tip & Run" - Edward Paice
The Western Front Association
National Army Museum
Britannica
Wikipedia
Wikimedia Commons

Chapters
0:00 The African Queen
0:52 German Empire at War
1:28 Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
2:27 The Konigsberg
3:31 Battle of Tanga
4:15 Battle of Jassin
5:00 Guerilla Campaign
5:42 Jan Smuts in Command
6:17 The Old & The Bold
7:08 Allied Offensive
7:57 German breakout
8:44 Battle Against Nature
9:30 Rugby Player Casualties
10:22 Germans Invade Portugese Empire
10:50 Germans Invade British Empire
11:16 Surrender
12:04 The Allied Army
12:42 Casualties
13:28 Askaris To The End

Chris Green isThe History Chap:
Telling stories that bring British history to life.
Explore the forgotten past.
Get the facts behind the stories.
Find out the real events behind films.
Learn about the famous (and not so famous) characters
See how the past connects to the present.

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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[pauloakwood]

A true legend. In the biography I read a few years ago. There was a story that impressed me quite a lot.
Towards the end of his life, he returned to East Africa as an anonymous tourist. Apparently the word had gotten out that we was coming, so that when he landed, those few remaining Askaris and hundreds of their decedents where there to meet him. All standing at attention in perfectly formed rows, and executing a very military salute.
Brothers in arms.

[charlieempire]

This part of ww1 is so underrated, and i think it deserves more recognition.

[lymanfaith]

A long time ago (1987), as a young Captain, I did a presentation on Lettow-Vorbeck at Squadron Officer School. Not a single member of my class of fifteen junior officers had ever heard of him.

[mrperson]

I got goosebumps at the end when you mentioned Old African German Askari veterans still remembering their army drills and showing respect for their old commander!!! Von Letow was a stern anti racist and treated his soldiers equally! Much respect to them all!

[christiank]

German here, loved hearing the story told in such a British and masterful voice.

Lettow-Vorbeck ('V' pronounced like 'F') entered German post-war lore as one of the few undefeated heroes. His quite popular own account of the events, "Heia Safari", adorned the bookshelves of many boys and young men in the 1920s and later. My Granddad (b1902) gave his copy to my Dad (b1938), who handed it on to me (b1965). Nowadays however, only a few young folks may still be familiar with the campaign, neither with its adventures nor with its tragedies. Peace!

[tlezzy]

The German commander seems like a hell of a leader.

[Ahornblatt]

The Askari were loyal because they feared the Arabs who were allied with England will have a say in their country. For centuries the Arabs took slaves and ivory from this part of Africa and they did not forget that. A little story I read in a book called "Kampf in Rufiji Delta" by R.K. Lochner it said that after the Tanga vicotry they build a memorial only with the names of white fallen soldiers on it but Lettow-Vorbeck ordered them to put the names of all fallen soldiers on this memorial cos they too had fallen for Kaiser and Fatherland

[markpurington]

An excellent account! I was hoping you might mention the attempt to resupply Lettow-Vorbeck by zeppelin in 1917. That was a grueling adventure in itself and may be worthy of a later program. Thank you for your work!

[ocphish]

First-class story-telling, Chris. It is these little-known tales that make your channel so special.

[FranciscoPreira]

East Africa campaigns were a very brutal affair, specially for civilian populations, in the Portuguese case, although Portugal had a "neutral" political stance in 1914, the Germans atacked on 25th August 1914 the small frontier post of Maziúa in Moçambique, then in October, on the 18th, of the same year, they again atacked, now in the south border of Angola at Naulila and on the 31st at Cuangar, but the worst was yet to come in the following years, as Portugal declared war on Germany, Moçambique became a dire nightmare for portuguese troops until Vorbeck's surrender. Great video sir, thanks a bundle for sharing.

[whps]

Thanks for this very clear summary of the little known war in East Africa. My great-uncle, Arthur Edwardes - born in India but resident in South Africa when the war broke out - was a lieutenant in the KAR at some point in that campaign. He survived the war and married the niece of General Louis Botha, the South African Prime Minster of the time. The South African general, Jaap van Deventer, (whose name confusingly is pronounced something like "Fun Dearfinter', not 'Van-De-Venter') who had fought against the British during the Boer War (1899 --1902) as a Boer general, apparently seldom spoke a word of English though he understood it perfectly. Congratulations on this very good and illuminating series. I am enjoying it immensely.

[harryshriver]

Wow, what a history of warfare which I knew nothing about, I have to salute the German commander. He knew the terrain and how to live off the land. RIP to all of the soldiers on both sides of the conflict 🙏
Chris, my friend, you have done it again with another wonderful video about a part of history many of us knew anything about remotely. In America we are taught rudimentary facts about World War I and all of it concerns the conflict in Western Europe. It is wonderful that you're shining a light on a forgotten part of history so that we may learn from it. Bravo, amigo y vaya con Dios.

[stephanvogel]

A main reason for the success was the Germans fought on foot and systematically lured the British troops relying on horses into Tsetse areas where the horses then died of Trypanosomiasis stranding the troups with no transport, see Angela van den Driesch's 1st edition textbook on Veterinary history in German. Thanks for your channel. Enjoying it tremendously.

[thomasg]

Ein sehr interessanter, lehrreicher und objektiver Beitrag 👍

[kiwigaming]

This was a great documentary! I have a suggestion: The Salonika Front. It was a deadly but largely forgotten part of WWI. Thank you!

[CTStatz]

Great episode and a perfect follow up to your last video. Fun fact: Because the Germans were cut off from their source of funding they had to build their own mint in Tabora. The equipment for stamping the coinage was salvaged from the Konigsberg after she was sunk by the British. The gold coin which came out of that mint is one of the most epic ever made and goes by a few different names: “15 Rupien, ” “Gold Elephant, ” and Tabora Sovereign.” I had never seen the “River Queen” before your last video and gave it a watch. Humphrey Bogart was fantastic in that film and now I’m down the rabbit hole of his others! Great channel and great content, looking forward to your next video.

[jeanpierrechoisy]

THANKS ! One of the best videos on this subject. Like all great military leaders, von Lettow-Vorbeck knew how to inspire in his men a real respect that cannot be reduced to discipline, with also a respect for his men by the leader. In this very colonial context, very far from that of the armies in Europe, von Lettow-Vorbeck's African soldiers greatly appreciated the fact that he had learned several of the local languages.

[kengarvin]

Had the privilege of living in Dar es Salaam and Iringa Tanzania in the early eighties working as a pilot. When flying from Dar to Lindi you fly over the Rifuji River delta and you still can see some of the wreckage of the German battleship. My wife was born in Tanga in 1961, the hospital was built by German forces, and is still in use

[richardhenry]

We at the Military Museum in Johannesburg cover this campaign quite well in a few of the displays.

[mikenorton]

My grandfather on my mother's side was in abercorn as a trainee tobacco planter in 1920 and related stories of former troops of van lettow voorbeck having settled in that area after the war