Greetings all,
Some new and interesting info on the Great War in Africa has come to light in the past few weeks.
Firstly, don’t forget about the next conference in Lisbon on 14 and 15 July. Details are here. Please do get in touch if you will be joining us or let me know if you can’t make it but would value getting together later in the year (October/November) in London.
The Imperial War Museum has recently discovered what it holds on the African campaigns. They are also in the process of making available an exciting new source on the East African campaign, thanks to Gerald Rilling who recently announced on Facebook:
Well after over thirty years, I finally will have the translations & photos of the nearly 20 WaKamba World War One veterans I interview just before I left East Africa completed. Thank you internet – that is where I found my translators & Dr. Anne Samson of the Great War in Africa Association who put me on the right track. The interviews are now being used in the Imperial War Museum in London. Some very interesting stories from a voice very seldom heard.
Having worked with Jerry on these interviews, they offer a welcome first-hand account of the lives of porters and some KAR soldiers. One common thread running through the interviews is the story of the German woman sniper who hid in a baobab tree. They all vary in detail as do all the accounts I’ve heard, so I’ve started a discussion link on the forum for you to add your version and hopefully we’ll be able to get to the bottom of it.
The British Library featured an article on Untold Lives featuring Richard Meinertzhagen. As many know there is much discussion around Meinertzhagen’s accounts but, for potential legal reasons, no more will be said on this issue here.
Gordon from Naval History has kindly posted on the ships which were involved in the East Africa theatre. You can either scroll down to read the article, or click here
In response to a number of queries I’ve had, I wrote the following on sourcing SAffer military records. This will be followed next week on SAffers as Imperial Service troops during WW1.
The In Memory and Book lists have been updated.
Since posting the Book list, notification of Francesco Correale’s La Grande Guerre des trafiquants: le front colonial de l’Occident maghrebin has come to light. You can see more at here.
Ricardo Marques has also published on 1914 Portugal no ano da Grande Guerra
Don’t forget to let me know if you have a book to sell on the African campaigns or better still, add it to the Book Sale section on the Forum.
Until next time,
Kindest regards
Anne