Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck

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(35)

1914

August

08
- Hostilities 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.
15
- Germans occupy Taveta in British East AfricaOn 15 August 1914 a German detachment under Tom von Prince crossed the border of British East Africa and took Taveta at the foot of Kilimanjaro.

September

20
- Sinking of HMS Pegasus at ZanzibarOn 20 September 1914 the German cruiser Königsberg surprised the British cruiser Pegasus in Zanzibar harbour and sank her. Several dozen sailors were killed.

November

1915

January

1916

February

19
- Smuts takes command in East AfricaOn 19 February 1916 Gen. Jan Smuts landed at Mombasa and took over the East African command from Gen. Tighe. He decided to strike before the rainy season.

March

April

May

09
- German attack on Kondoa IrangiOn the night of 9–10 May 1916 Lettow-Vorbeck's askaris stormed van Deventer's positions at Kondoa Irangi several times. Every attack was beaten off.

August

September

07
- Action at KisakiOn 7–8 September 1916 two of Smuts's columns attacked the Germans separately at Kisaki, south of the Uluguru Mountains. Both were repulsed; the pursuit stalled.

1917

January

May

30
- Van Deventer replaces HoskinsAt the end of May 1917 General Jacob van Deventer took over command in East Africa from General Hoskins. London demanded a swift end to the campaign.

July

19
- Battle of NarungombeOn 19 July 1917 the Kilwa columns assaulted the German trenches at Narungombe all day. The Germans withdrew at night, but the British lost more than 600 men.

October

November

December

01
- Germans leave German East AfricaAt the beginning of December 1917 the British considered German East Africa conquered. Lettow-Vorbeck fought on in Mozambique, outside the colony.

1918

July

01
- Clash at NhamacurraOn 1–3 July 1918 Lettow-Vorbeck routed the Portuguese-British garrison of Nhamacurra near Quelimane. Many defenders drowned and the Germans took vast stores.

September

29
- Lettow-Vorbeck returns across the RovumaAt the end of September 1918 Lettow-Vorbeck's force crossed the Rovuma and, after ten months in Mozambique, returned to German East Africa.

November