Germans occupy Taveta in British East Africa
- Category:
- Military operations
- Front:
- Africa
- Date:
- 15 August 1914
- Author:
- Natalia
On 15 August 1914 a German detachment of about 300 soldiers crossed the border of British East Africa, present-day Kenya, and took the border post of Taveta at the foot of Kilimanjaro. It was the first German offensive action in East Africa.
Lettow-Vorbeck’s order
The strike was prepared by the commander of the German colonial troops, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. Against the wishes of the governor of German East Africa, who hoped to keep the colony neutral, Lettow-Vorbeck wanted to wage an active war. His aim was to tie down as many British forces as possible in Africa so that they could not fight in Europe.
The detachment that took Taveta was commanded by Captain Tom von Prince, a veteran of colonial fighting and commander of volunteers recruited from among the German settlers. The British garrison of the post was small and withdrew without much resistance.
A base for raids
Taveta was of great strategic importance. It lay in the gap between Kilimanjaro and the Pare Mountains, on the natural route from the German colony into British territory. From here German units could attack the Uganda Railway, the main artery of British East Africa, linking the port of Mombasa with the interior.
Significance
The Germans held Taveta for a year and a half, until March 1916. During that time numerous raids on the British railway and posts set out from the Kilimanjaro area. The capture of Taveta showed that the war in East Africa would not be merely an exchange of fire from the sea but a long land campaign. Lettow-Vorbeck waged it until November 1918.
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Related events
(04)The same battle, people or subject.
- 8 August 1914 · AfricaHostilities begin in East AfricaOn 8 August 1914 the British cruiser Astraea shelled Dar es Salaam in German East Africa. A war began there that lasted until November 1918.
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- 1 September 1914 · AfricaFirst Indian contingent arrives at MombasaOn 1 September 1914 the first unit of Indian Expeditionary Force "C" reached Mombasa, sent to aid the weak forces of British East Africa.
- 5 September 1914 · AfricaDefence of AbercornOn 5 September 1914 troops from German East Africa crossed the border of Northern Rhodesia. The small garrison of Abercorn held out until relief arrived.