DOCSLIB.ORG

East Africa Campaign 1914-1918: the Faridkot Sappers and Miners

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
East Africa Campaign 1914-1918: the Faridkot Sappers and Miners 1 EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN 1914 – 1918 FARIDKOT SAPPERS & MINERS In commemoration of all those, including civilians, porters, and troops, involved in the East African campaign of 1914 to 1918. Compiled by Richard Sneyd © November 2014 Unless specified, to avoid infringement of copyright, images and maps have been replaced with links to appropriate substitutes. Images related to Robin Sneyd are copyrighted to Richard Sneyd. Contents Part One ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 British Colonial Defence Policy 1912 ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 The Outbreak of War. 4 August 1914 ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Part Two ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 An account of the role of the Faridkot Sappers and Miners in the Allied Campaign in German East Africa 1914-1918. August 1914 – November 1914 ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 The Battle of Tanga .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12 The Faridkot Sappers and Miners based at Voi, British East Africa. Defending the Uganda Railway. November 1915 – January 1916 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 The Raid on Bukoba ............................................................................................................................................................................. 15 The Campaign in German East Africa. November 1914 – February 1916 ............................................................................................ 16 Part Three ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 The Campaign in German East Africa: The British Offensive. February/March 1916 ......................................................................... 19 Part Four ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 The Faridkot Sappers and Miners: The start of the Invasion of German East Africa. February – May 1916........................................ 22 Part Five ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 The Campaign in German East Africa: The new offensive in May 1916. Following the retreating Germans down the Usamabara Railway line towards Tanga .................................................................................................................................................................. 34 The Faridkot Sappers and Miners: From Moshi to Buiko. May/June 1916 .......................................................................................... 36 Part Six ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 41 The Faridkot Sappers and Miners: Campaign in German East Africa: From Buiko to Handeni. June until 27 July 1916 .................... 41 The general campaign in German East Africa. June to August 1916 N’Derema to Morogoro; Kondoa Irangi to Kilosa ..................... 44 Part Seven .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 47 The Faridkot Sappers and Miners: German East Africa. July to September 1916 ................................................................................ 47 The Campaign in German East Africa. August and September 1916 ................................................................................................... 50 The capture of Dar-es-Salaam. September 1916 ................................................................................................................................... 51 Part Eight.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 54 Faridkot Sappers and Miners: German East Africa. September – December 1916 ............................................................................... 54 Smuts’ Campaign in German East Africa. December 1916 – March 1917 ........................................................................................... 58 The Faridkot Sappers and Miners. 9 December to 31 December 1916 ................................................................................................. 60 The Faridkot Sappers and Miners in German East Africa. 1 January 1917 to 4 April 1917 The establishment of the bridgehead over the Rufiji River at Kiperio on 3rd January 1917 involving the right half Company of the Faridkot Sappers and Miners..................... 62 The establishment of a bridgehead over the Rufiji at Kibambawe on 7th January 1917 involving the left half company of the Faridkot Sappers and Miners under Captain Evill. .............................................................................................................................................. 65 Part Nine .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 71 The Campaign in German East Africa. From March 1917 until October 1917 ..................................................................................... 71 The Faridkot Sappers and Miners in German East Africa. From 5 April 1917 until January 1918 Morogoro. Rufiji road from Mikesse to Ruvu Top. Supporting the Belgians around Mahenge. Supporting the Belgians and the Nigerian Brigade in the Rovuma River area .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 74 German Retreat. November 1917 to September 1918 ........................................................................................................................... 80 Part Ten ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 84 The end of the Campaign in German East Africa ................................................................................................................................. 84 The Faridkot Sappers and Miners. End of East African Campaign and Homecoming ......................................................................... 87 Awards for Service in the Great War East Africa Campaign made to the Faridkot Imperial Service Sappers and Miners: .................. 88 The Welcome Home. February 1918 .................................................................................................................................................... 90 Afterthoughts ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 95 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................................................................... 97 Text, photographs and sketch maps from:- ........................................................................................................................................... 97 Text only:-............................................................................................................................................................................................. 97 3 Part One Figure 1. Colonial Africa in 1914 British Colonial Defence Policy 1912 The British colonial defence policy was normally directed towards the prevention and suppression of African uprisings rather than defence against hostile forces from neighbouring colonies. However, a comprehensive defence plan had been drafted and updated by 1912. The priorities were to defend British East Africa (BEA) and the vital
Load more

Recommended publications
  • UNFPA Campaign
    UNFPA Somalia Country Office SAMOFAL Solidarity in Crisis Issue Number 9, April 2012 Somalia Country Office INSIDE STORIES UNFPA Zero Tolerance to FGM/C pg.2 continues fistula Delivered Kits to IDPs pg 8 campaign. Certificate of merit pg.11 And many more stories inside... In November 2011 the Ministry of Health in Somaliland opened a campaign in Borama Fistula Center. Besides the 80 cases operated there already by December, one doctor from Bassaso hospital undergone practical training on fistula management with the technical team in Borama. The same doctor from Bossaso undertook an eight weeks training in Kenya early 2011. In Puntland 41 cases were operated in Galkayo Medical Center. Almost two thirds of the patients came from South Central Somalia, especially from the Mogadishu region. Cases were identified by NGOs working in those areas and supported by UNFPA to report to Galkayo Medical Center. The costs of the campaign were totally covered by UNFPA. 18 - year old Nimo Mohamoud said she will wait five years with having another baby, just to make sure she is fine again, after having undergone a fistula operation at the National Fistula Hospital in Borama. Obstetric fistula, one of the most devastating childbirth injuries, is caused by the lack of skilled birth attendant and access to emergency care during delivery. It is a highly stigmatizing, though in most cases treatable condition that results from pro- longed, obstetric labor and cases chronic incontinence. The Somaliland campaign which is part of a larger global cam- paign, addresses all aspects of obstetric fistula, from prevention and treatment to social reintegration of woman recovering from treatment.
    [Show full text]
  • The King's African Rifles
    The King's African Rifles Introduction Further to my article on The Battle of Tanga - 1914, I have studied the various African units participating in the First World War, and here follows a brief overview of one of the most famous African units - The King's African Rifles. The King's African Rifles, ca. 1916 1). Regimental Badge The King's African Rifles. From Regimental Badges by T.J. Edwards, Gale & Polden Limited, 1951. Formation The regiment was formed on 1 January 1902, and combined a number of units from various British East African dependencies - Somaliland, British East Africa (from July 1920: Kenya), Uganda and Nyasaland. At the formation, The King's African Rifles included the following battalions, which in principle existed until the independence of the various colonies in the 1960'ies. King's African Rifles2) Derived from Remarks 1st (Central Africa) 1st Battalion Central Africa Regiment. The Malawi Rifles (1964) Battalion 2nd (Central Africa) 2nd Battalion Central Africa Regiment Disbanded in 1962 Battalion 3rd (East Africa) Battalion East Africa Rifles (British East Africa) The Kenya Rifles (1963) 4th (Uganda) Battalion Uganda Rifles, from various African The Uganda Rifles (1962) companies 5th (Uganda) Battalion Uganda Rifles, from various Indian The Kenya Rifles (1963) companies 6th (Somaliland) Battalion Raised by local units in Somaliland Disbanded in 1910 6th (Tanganyika) Battalion Formed from ex-German askaris in 1917-18 The Tanganyika Rifles (1961) At the formation the regiment included 4.683 men, including 104 British officers. During the First World War the regiment grew into 22 battalions, consisting in July 1918 of 1,193 British Officers, 1,497 British Non-Commissioned Officers, and 30.658 Africans.
    [Show full text]
  • The Axis and Allied Maritime Operations Around Southern Africa, 1939-1945
    THE AXIS AND ALLIED MARITIME OPERATIONS AROUND SOUTHERN AFRICA, 1939-1945 Evert Philippus Kleynhans Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Military Science (Military History) in the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof I.J. van der Waag Co-supervisor: Dr E.K. Fedorowich December 2018 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Date: December 2018 Copyright © 2018 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract The majority of academic and popular studies on the South African participation in the Second World War historically focus on the military operations of the Union Defence Force in East Africa, North Africa, Madagascar and Italy. Recently, there has been a renewed drive to study the South African participation from a more general war and society approach. The South African home front during the war, and in particular the Axis and Allied maritime war waged off the southern African coast, has, however, received scant historical attention from professional and amateur historians alike. The historical interrelated aspects of maritime insecurity evident in southern Africa during the war are largely cast aside by contemporary academics engaging with issues of maritime strategy and insecurity in southern Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Portugal in the Great War: the African Theatre of Operations (1914- 1918)
    Portugal in the Great War: the African Theatre of Operations (1914- 1918) Nuno Lemos Pires1 https://academiamilitar.academia.edu/NunoPires At the onset of the Great War, none of the colonial powers were prepared to do battle in Africa. None had stated their intentions to do so and there were no indications that one of them would take the step of attacking its neighbours. The War in Africa has always been considered a secondary theatre of operations by all conflicting nations but, as well shall see, not by the political discourse of the time. This discourse was important, especially in Portugal, but the transition from policy to strategic action was almost the opposite of what was said, as we shall demonstrate in the following chapters. It is both difficult and deeply simple to understand the opposing interests of the different nations in Africa. It is difficult because they are all quite different from one another. It is also deeply simple because some interests have always been clear and self-evident. But we will return to our initial statement. When war broke out in Europe and in the rest of the World, none of the colonial powers were prepared to fight one another. The forces, the policy, the security forces, the traditions, the strategic practices were focused on domestic conflict, that is, on disturbances of the public order, local and regional upheaval and insurgency by groups or movements (Fendall, 2014: 15). Therefore, when the war began, the warning signs of this lack of preparation were immediately visible. Let us elaborate. First, each colonial power had more than one policy.
    [Show full text]
  • The Naturalist and His 'Beautiful Islands'
    The Naturalist and his ‘Beautiful Islands’ Charles Morris Woodford in the Western Pacific David Russell Lawrence The Naturalist and his ‘Beautiful Islands’ Charles Morris Woodford in the Western Pacific David Russell Lawrence Published by ANU Press The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, Australia Email: [email protected] This title is also available online at http://press.anu.edu.au National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Author: Lawrence, David (David Russell), author. Title: The naturalist and his ‘beautiful islands’ : Charles Morris Woodford in the Western Pacific / David Russell Lawrence. ISBN: 9781925022032 (paperback) 9781925022025 (ebook) Subjects: Woodford, C. M., 1852-1927. Great Britain. Colonial Office--Officials and employees--Biography. Ethnology--Solomon Islands. Natural history--Solomon Islands. Colonial administrators--Solomon Islands--Biography. Solomon Islands--Description and travel. Dewey Number: 577.099593 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover image: Woodford and men at Aola on return from Natalava (PMBPhoto56-021; Woodford 1890: 144). Cover design and layout by ANU Press Printed by Griffin Press This edition © 2014 ANU Press Contents Acknowledgments . xi Note on the text . xiii Introduction . 1 1 . Charles Morris Woodford: Early life and education . 9 2. Pacific journeys . 25 3 . Commerce, trade and labour . 35 4 . A naturalist in the Solomon Islands . 63 5 . Liberalism, Imperialism and colonial expansion . 139 6 . The British Solomon Islands Protectorate: Colonialism without capital . 169 7 . Expansion of the Protectorate 1898–1900 .
    [Show full text]
  • Military History Anniversaries 16 Thru 30 June
    Military History Anniversaries 16 thru 30 June Events in History over the next 15 day period that had U.S. military involvement or impacted in some way on U.S military operations or American interests Jun 16 1832 – Native Americans: Battle of Burr Oak Grove » The Battle is either of two minor battles, or skirmishes, fought during the Black Hawk War in U.S. state of Illinois, in present-day Stephenson County at and near Kellogg's Grove. In the first skirmish, also known as the Battle of Burr Oak Grove, on 16 JUN, Illinois militia forces fought against a band of at least 80 Native Americans. During the battle three militia men under the command of Adam W. Snyder were killed in action. The second battle occurred nine days later when a larger Sauk and Fox band, under the command of Black Hawk, attacked Major John Dement's detachment and killed five militia men. The second battle is known for playing a role in Abraham Lincoln's short career in the Illinois militia. He was part of a relief company sent to the grove on 26 JUN and he helped bury the dead. He made a statement about the incident years later which was recollected in Carl Sandburg's writing, among others. Sources conflict about who actually won the battle; it has been called a "rout" for both sides. The battle was the last on Illinois soil during the Black Hawk War. Jun 16 1861 – Civil War: Battle of Secessionville » A Union attempt to capture Charleston, South Carolina, is thwarted when the Confederates turn back an attack at Secessionville, just south of the city on James Island.
    [Show full text]
  • My Reminiscences of East Africa
    My 'Reminiscences of East Africa .J General VOII Lettow-Vorbeck. [f'runJi:spiect. :My nEMINISCENCES I OF EAST AFRICA :: CJ3y General von Leitoto- Vorbeck With Portrait. 22 Maps and Sketch.Maps. and 13 Vraw;ngs 13y General von Lettoui- Vorbechs Adjutant LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT. LTD. PATERNOSTER HOUSE, E.C. f I I I I ,.\ I PREFACE N all the German colon.ies,t~ough but a few d~ca~es old, a life I full of promise was discerruble. \Ve were beginning to under• stand the national value of our colonial possessions; settlers and capital were venturing in; industries and factories were beginning to flourish. Compared with that of other nations, the colonizing process of Germany had progressed peacefully and steadily, and the inhabitants had confidence in the justice of German administration. This development had barely commenced when it was destroyed by the world war. In spite of all tangible proofs to the contrary, an unjustifiable campaign of falsehood is being conducted in order to make the world believe that the Germans lacked colonizing talent and were cruel to the natives. A small force, mainly composed of these very natives, opposed this development. Almost without any external means of coercion, even without immediate payment, this force, with its numerous native followers, faithfully followed its German leaders throughout the whole of the prolonged war against a more than hundredfold superiority. When the armistice came it was still fit to fight, and imbued with the best soldierly spirit. That is a fact which cannot be controverted, and is in itself a sufficient answer to the hostile mis-statements.
    [Show full text]
  • Why Were the British/Allied Forces Unable to Dislodge the Renowned German General Paul Von Lettow-Vorbeck in East Afri…
    7/1/2020 #GreatWarInAfrica – Why were the British/Allied forces unable to dislodge the renowned German General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck in East Afri… Blog Editor August 4th, 2014 #GreatWarInAfrica – Why were the British/Allied forces unable to dislodge the renowned German General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck in East Africa? 2 comments Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Anne Samson looks at the reasons why ten British/Allied commanders could not defeat the renowned German General, Paul von Lettow Vorbeck in East Africa during World War 1. Most people, when you mention East Africa and World War One, immediately refer to German General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and Allied commander General Jan Smuts. However, what is not generally known is that Smuts served in the theatre for only 11 months and was one of ten Allied commanders who led forces against Lettow-Vorbeck. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/africaatlse/2014/08/04/greatwarinafrica-why-were-the-britishallied-forces-unable-to-dislodge-the-renowned-german-general-paul-vo… 1/7 7/1/2020 #GreatWarInAfrica – Why were the British/Allied forces unable to dislodge the renowned German General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck in East Afri… Command of the British forces in East Africa was split between the Colonial and India Offices with the War Office keeping a watchful eye. The Admiralty was strategically involved, moving troops, blockading and engaging the enemy on water. So was the Foreign Office, responsible for keeping allies informed and on board despite differing, and sometimes conflicting, aims. Fierce rivals on the battlefield, General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck (L) and General Jan Smuts (R) became great friends later in life There had been some discussion about keeping the theatre neutral but this was felt to be impossible given the actions which had occurred by mid-September 1914.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparative Case Study to Test Whether Automatic Weapons Can Disproportionately Benefit Irregular Forces
    University of Mississippi eGrove Honors College (Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors Theses Honors College) Winter 12-4-2020 Diabolus Ex Machina? A Comparative Case Study to Test Whether Automatic Weapons Can Disproportionately Benefit Irregular Forces Harrison Durland Follow this and additional works at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis Part of the Defense and Security Studies Commons, Military History Commons, Peace and Conflict Studies Commons, Political Science Commons, and the Science and Technology Studies Commons Recommended Citation Durland, Harrison, "Diabolus Ex Machina? A Comparative Case Study to Test Whether Automatic Weapons Can Disproportionately Benefit Irregular Forces" (2020). Honors Theses. 1860. https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1860 This Undergraduate Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors College (Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College) at eGrove. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of eGrove. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Durland 1 Diabolus Ex Machina? A Comparative Case Study to Test Whether Automatic Weapons Can Disproportionately Benefit Irregular Forces Harrison Durland November 17, 2020 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for completion of the Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies Croft Institute for International Studies University of Mississippi Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Jones Second Reader: Dr. William Schenck Third Reader: Dr. Susan Allen Durland 2 Table of Contents Acknowledgements 5 Abstract 6 Introduction and Overview 7 Chapter I: Literature Review 10 Explaining Insurgent Success and Outcome Trends 10 Strategies, Tactics, and Force Employment 11 Politics: Resolve, Restraints, and Responsibilities 12 Other Explanations: External Support and Geography 13 Summary of Explanations and the Reason for Further Study 14 Lyall and Wilson: Mechanization vs.
    [Show full text]
  • An Appreciation of Larks
    angels in CAMOUFLAGE An appreciation of larks arks have inspired poets as glorious as William Wordsworth, John Milton and Percy Bysshe Shelley, yet most birders consider them only as bothersome LBJs. Much maligned, they are often viewed Las little more than a boring identification chore. However, larks have a history as old as Africa itself. Some members have the most remarkable survival techniques in the avian world, and they sing and display like angels. So is there more to these sombre brown birds than first meets the eye? Shelley thought so, and so do I, writes KEITH BARNES. ALBERT FRONEMAN arks are a massive identification validity of geographical races is not ost birders in southern It isn’t just the casual birder who has problems challenge and, together with pip- orthodox. Having been a sinner myself, Africa are familiar with the its and cisticolas, they wear the I can expiate my indiscretions without Spike-heeled Lark. A short- distinguishing between larks. Ornithologists have unwelcome mantle of ‘Africa’s exultation and in repentance.’ Conversely, tailed, upright lark found in LLBJs’. Most species use open habitats in Gordon Maclean wrote, ‘It is doubtful Ma wide variety of open-country habitats, been arguing about them for more than 100 years desert, semi-desert and grasslands, and are whether the matter [of lark systemat- its white outer-tail tips, stocky frame and characterised by a great deal of morpho- ics] will ever be satisfactorily resolved.’ sociable behaviour render it one of the its finder. As the bird is highly resident Above In the course of one of the more logical convergence.
    [Show full text]
  • British Campaign Groups and Pairs
    BRITISH CAMPAIGN GROUPS AND PAIRS This is a PDF document and is fully searchable using keywords. You can also download and save the document to view when not connected to the internet. Back to index page Ref Description Sterling Euro BG2419 THE BOER WAR AND WW1 CAMPAIGN GROUP TO MAJOR E.C. £2,250.00 €2,700.0 HOLLAND, 6TH INNISKILLING DRAGOONS AND REMOUNT SERVICE, 0 WHO WAS AWARDED THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY’S MEDAL FOR SAVING TWO SOLDIERS FROM DROWNING DURING THE BOER WAR, AND ADDITIONALLY DECORATED BY THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT DURING WW1. Eight: Queen's South Africa Medal, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Belfast, officially engraved (Captain, 6th Dragoons); Kings South Africa Medal, 2 clasps officially engraved (Captain, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons); 1914-15 Star (Major, Remount Service); British War Medal and Victory Medal with MID oakleaf on ribbon (Major); Victoria, Jubilee Medal 1897, silver (unnamed, as issued); France, Medaille d'Honneur des Affaires Etrangeres, silver gilt, with ornate crossed swords and oak leaves suspension unnamed, as issued, rim struck twice with the Paris mint mark for medals of the period, a Horn of Plenty, and additionally impressed "Argent" (silver) between the two mint marks; Royal Humane Society Lifesaving Medal, bronze, small size (38mm), successful (officially engraved: CAPT: E.C. HOLLAND. FEB: 21. 1901.) Campaign medals, Jubilee Medal and French decoration mounted loose style, as worn, Royal Humane Society Medal mounted separately, two small nicks to obverse rim of Medaille d’Honneur (test marks?) at 7 o’clock and 8 o’clock, otherwise generally Almost Extremely Fine, and undoubtedly a unique combination of medals, certainly to the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons and probably to any branch of the British armed forces.
    [Show full text]
  • EAST INDIA CLUB ROLL of HONOUR Regiments the EAST INDIA CLUB WORLD WAR ONE: 1914–1919
    THE EAST INDIA CLUB SOME ACCOUNT OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THE CLUB & STAFF WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN WORLD WAR ONE 1914-1919 & WORLD WAR TWO 1939-1945 THE NAMES LISTED ON THE CLUB MEMORIALS IN THE HALL DEDICATION The independent ambition of both Chairman Iain Wolsey and member David Keating to research the members and staff honoured on the Club’s memorials has resulted in this book of Remembrance. Mr Keating’s immense capacity for the necessary research along with the Chairman’s endorsement and encouragement for the project was realised through the generosity of member Nicholas and Lynne Gould. The book was received in to the Club on the occasion of a commemorative service at St James’s Church, Piccadilly in September 2014 to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Second World War members were researched and added in 2016 along with the appendices, which highlights some of the episodes and influences that involved our members in both conflicts. In October 2016, along with over 190 other organisations representing clubs, livery companies and the military, the club contributed a flagstone of our crest to the gardens of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. First published in 2014 by the East India Club. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing, from the East India Club.
    [Show full text]