For a limited time only – till the end of Ramadan (16 June), copies of The Unknown Fallen: Allied Muslim involvement in World War 1 is available for £37. This book contains a fair bit on African involvement including three sections on Sub-Sahara Africa.
22 June is the anniversary of the 1915 Battle of Bukoba. For those interested, here are some articles: Legion of Frontiersmen, 25th Royal Fusiliers, Harry Fecitt.
Given the popularity of von Lettow-Vorbeck, this article by his German biographer, Eckard Michels (Birkbeck College) in English should be of interest.
Focus on Egypt in World War 1 have recently been discovered.
ANZAC riots in Cairo 1915
Photo collection
103 anniversary commemoration
World War 1 in Tsavo, Kenya
Guerrillas of Tsavo (James Willson) is fundraising to upgrade the World War 1 display in Tsavo in time for the centenary commemorations of the end of the war. Details here
Lovely to see the memorial getting some attention – there will be a commemoration service in Mbala on 25 November 2018.
Thorntree safaris are organising on the ground travel and accommodation.
Inspection of @CWGC Abercorn memorial in Mbala – Northern Zambia by AAPA Regional manager @SimonHardman. This memorial records the death in action of 433 Northern Rhodesia native Carriers who fell in Northern Rhodesia during #WW1 pic.twitter.com/ismVGcCnYR
— Daniel Achini (@achini_daniel) 8 May 2018
History of the East African Road Corps. What is known about this corps has been compiled in the attached article (under Land). If you are aware of any other information, please get in touch.
Free to enter Creative Writing Competition welcoming contributions about the lesser known campaigns of #WW1 in countries outside Europe. Open to people from all over the world. You can find details here. Deadline September 2018.
South Africa appears to be in a number of searches recently, please share if you find interesting snippets about other theatres too.
It looks as though there is a film being made on the SS Mendi. Before that there is to be a play set to premiere in June. Find out more, here
South Africa’s living memorials: The Comrades Marathon (WW1 East Africa) and a WW2 hospital
South Africa remembers – a blog which looks like it has some interesting info. Thanks to Warwick Hojem for this one.
For users of the South African National Archives, they have launched a new database. Thankfully the old version is still available and I advise continue using that for the present. The new system does not yet contain a date search or download functionality – senior management at the archive confirm that this is being addressed.
I am sorry that Eckard Michels felt the need to throw a punch at General Paul Von Lettow-Vorbeck at the end of his otherwise interesting article.
The mission that von Lettow gave himself in 1914-15 was not that which he followed in 1917-18, because the situation had changed.
All throughout the war, by keeping the East African front active von Lettow ensured that the Allies had to dedicate much shipping to the campaign that could have been used elsewhere. Also the Indian troops used until the end of 1917 could have been employed in other theatres – Mesopotamia, Macedonia and Palestine. Similarly the South African troops used until 1917 could have been used in France (as could have the white Rhodesians who stayed on the East African battlefield until November 1918).
To dump the blame for civilian casualties in East Africa on von Lettow alone is grotesque. The General did his duty as he saw it had to be done, and the Allies failed to defeat him. Why not dump the blame on the Kaiser and Berlin HQ? A soldier in the field does not surrender because of civilian casualties – however much he may dislike those casualties he does his duty (but I appreciate that that thought process is not one that civilian academics without battlefield experience can easily comprehend).
Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck was an imperfect man, as we all are (and so was a chap called Jesus Christ!). But the General commanded German troops in the only theatre where they were not beaten – that was his strength and his legacy.
Harry