The African Queen - True WW1 Story Behind The Film

The “African Queen” was a 1951 adventure film starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.
Set in German East Africa (Tanzania) during the First World War, it is actually based upon real events.

This is the story of Mimi, Toutou, a wacky British commander and the moment when the Royal Navy fought the German Imperial Navy on a lake deep inside Africa - the battle for lake Tanganyika.

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

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Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:13 German East Africa WW1
2:34 Battle for Lake Tanganyika
3:28 Graf von Goetzen
4:30 Royal Navy response
5:33 Geoffrey Spicer-Simpson
7:17 Simpson's Circus
9:13 Battle with the Kingani
11:25 Battle with the Hedwig
13:54 Allied Victory
14:52 The African Queen
16:04 M.V. Liemba

Sources used to produce this video included:
Wikimedia Commons
National Archives
“Tip & Run” - Edward Paice

Chris Green is The 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.

[toddcoteeagle]

The African aspect of the global conflict of the first world war has been largely ignored. Thank you for venturing into its many interesting and quirky facets. Looking forward to seeing more of this.

[chriscann]

I've known this story for a few years and always thought what a superb film it would make- Spicer-Simpson was an extraordinary eccentric, who often wore a skirt (not a sarong, not a kilt, but a SKIRT) and was prone to extraordinary flights of fancy. Interestingly if you read Forester's book The African Queen, Rose and Charlie do not sink the German gunboat Luise, they actually witness the battle on the lake between the British launches and the german ship.

[harryshriver]

😂 I was almost in stitches laughing at the names of the British ships, the HMS Fifi, Mimi, and Tutu. It almost sounds like a British comedy film, I can just imagine Monty Python's Flying Circus renamed Spicer Simpsons Circus of the Immaculate Commander. Well done, amigo 👏 👍 I truky enjoyed the story of the battle of Lake Tanganika. I had no idea that there was naval fighting outside of the oceans.

[tscully]

Loved the Bogart Hepburn film but agree this story is just as fantastic but amazingly really did happen. That Geoffrey Spicer-Simpson could find his victorious place in history perhaps most surprizing of all.

[charlieross-BRM]

I had the Ballantine Series book #20 about this WWI theatre from the German perspective, "Tanganyikan Guerilla." Decades later an older man I met on dog walks and myself talked about all kinds of things. We were proposing we cross share our history books and when I mentioned this "unheard of" campaign and my book he said happily with his noticeable German accent, "That's where my father served in WWI." Made my day.

[PrivatPrivat-xe]

Really nice story. The commander is certainly a character. Thank you for sharing

[HonarySpock]

The MV Liemba was actually featured in an episode of Michael Palin's adventure series Pole to Pole. Palin was using it as a ferry across the length of the lake

[kenattwood]

Thanks for this one, Chris, and yes - I am looking forward to your video about the campaign in German East Arica.

[rjmun]

What an interesting story. At 8:11 the illustration of a boat being winched up a mountain reminds me of Werner Hertzog's movie Fitzcarraldo.

[andreweden]

I didn't realize how substantial a lake Tanganyika is: it's 45 miles (72 km) across at its widest point, and 4, 823 ft. deep, making it the second deepest lake in the world!

[stevehales]

Great story. The African queen ( not the one from the film) is moored at the Tilapia hotel on Lake victoria, now a floating part of the hotel on Lake victoria in Mwanza Tanzania, still, a fantastic story, keep up the stories.

[mikebach]

Thanks Chris. The "Spicer Simson" name immediately sounded familiar to me. A quick search of my family records confirms one of my great grandmothers was a sister to Geoffrey. Thanks for resurrecting this bit of family history 😃

[ronaldmartin]

I loved the film. "You can call me Rosie, Charlie." But your real story is just as interesting and exciting. Thankyou.

[neilmckay]

Mimi and Toutou reminds me of us naming our cat Ming Ming, which is Tagalog for 'cat'. He earned his sea legs sailing from the Falkland Islands to the UK.

[DavidHoshor]

"The African Queen" is one of my favorite movies, but I had no idea of the historical details that surrounded the movie. The background information you provided gives context to the movie. Thank you. The information that the German warship is still plying the lake is very cool.

[cynthiaalver]

Very much enjoyed the video. The African Queen is a fun, adventurous film and a favorite of mine. Thanks for the back story! I always look forward to your videos, Chris. Interesting, thought provoking and makes learning fun. Thank you.

[davidberlanny]

Hi Chris what a great story that was.

Seeing the motoboats being hauled over the African jungle reminded me of the Yavari, a British built boat made for the Peruvian Navy to be sailed on Lake Titicaca, some 12, 500' high up in the Andes. Apparently also saw action in a war between Peru and Chile.

When we were there 15 years ago it was grounded and being restored and from what I understand has now been recommisioned there was involvement with a group of youngsters from the East End in her second maiden voyage. Maybe theres a story there for you?

All the best!!

[JJ-ofir]

What a truly amazing story you tell in this video. Both the Germans and the British were heroic in the way they got the vessels to Lake Tanganyika. Thank you for relating this fascinating piece of history.

[roberthouseman]

So interesting, Chris, I had no idea. This is another first from you and the reason why I am addicted to watching your fabulous videos. Thank you

[marshallandrew]

Thank you Chris for yet another fabulous video. You really bring history to life. 🤩