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