A long time ago (1987), as a young Captain, I did a presentation on Lettow-Vorbeck at Squadron Officer School. Not a single member of my class of fifteen junior officers had ever heard of him.
A true legend. In the biography I read a few years ago. There was a story that impressed me quite a lot. Towards the end of his life, he returned to East Africa as an anonymous tourist. Apparently the word had gotten out that we was coming, so that when he landed, those few remaining Askaris and hundreds of their decedents where there to meet him. All standing at attention in perfectly formed rows, and executing a very military salute. Brothers in arms.
Read about this campaign in 1976 when I was twenty three. Man was a genius, The Shutztruppe Klasse ! The Book Was -- 'Battle For The Bundu.' Cannot now remember the author or publisher. Brother however still has the book. Rollicking good read,type of book we read from the fifties on.
An excellent account! I was hoping you might mention the attempt to resupply Lettow-Vorbeck by zeppelin in 1917. That was a grueling adventure in itself and may be worthy of a later program. Thank you for your work!
Thanks for this very clear summary of the little known war in East Africa. My great-uncle, Arthur Edwardes - born in India but resident in South Africa when the war broke out - was a lieutenant in the KAR at some point in that campaign. He survived the war and married the niece of General Louis Botha, the South African Prime Minster of the time. The South African general, Jaap van Deventer, (whose name confusingly is pronounced something like "Fun Dearfinter', not 'Van-De-Venter') who had fought against the British during the Boer War (1899 --1902) as a Boer general, apparently seldom spoke a word of English though he understood it perfectly. Congratulations on this very good and illuminating series. I am enjoying it immensely.
Wow, what a history of warfare which I knew nothing about, I have to salute the German commander. He knew the terrain and how to live off the land. RIP to all of the soldiers on both sides of the conflict 🙏 Chris, my friend, you have done it again with another wonderful video about a part of history many of us knew anything about remotely. In America we are taught rudimentary facts about World War I and all of it concerns the conflict in Western Europe. It is wonderful that you're shining a light on a forgotten part of history so that we may learn from it. Bravo, amigo y vaya con Dios.
I have heard that after the Second World War, von Lettow-Vorbeck was struggling to get enough food. When suddenly he started to receive food packages from his old enemy Jan Smuts.
Brilliant video lecture on Lettow-Vorbec . The man was true master of irregular warfare. I have read many books regarding this near forgotten German general. Thank you Sir for creating near mini masterpiece of a video lecture. I humbly await your your next video lecture.
Great book. I was going to recommend it as well. It not only covers the East Africa German campaign, but gives a good background to the German colonial history in Africa.
My grandfather on my mother's side was in abercorn as a trainee tobacco planter in 1920 and related stories of former troops of van lettow voorbeck having settled in that area after the war
Thank you for this story. It is well-balanced and based on facts. Lettow-Vorbeck wrote a book about his time in German East Africa. The title is "Heia Safari" and it could be found at any German library. Back then it was considered a good read. I do not know what would happen today if somebody asked at a library for this book.
@@richardmarahall8943 If Lettow-Vorbeck had met Lord Baden Powell over a couple of drinks, they would probably have become bestest friends for the rest of their livetime.
YES, you fulfilled our wishes on the intent of a video (which I believe you did promise in the first one of your four videos done while I was out there in Kefalonia, Chris old bean, being the aweing one telling of the Battle of Lake Tanganyika itself) about THIS, the section of WW1 that, as someone else has quite rightfully pointed out, is SO underrated, as EVERYTHING ya hear about that war makes ya think instantly of only the horrors of the trenches in Europe, don't it, and damn right I'd say in accordance agreement that it deserves more recognition. Cos WOW, forget about the trenches and our terrible costly battles in Europe against the mad withered armed cripple of Kaiser Wilhelm II, THIS story, a four year long jungle warfare and guerilla conflict which certainly I knew absolutely NOTHING, zero, zilch, about, until YOU finally brought it to light, our British military history UA-cam superstar Chris dear chap, I would give ANYTHING for a film or TV series, either proper or just documentary, about much more than the continuously tiresome giving of just Europe and the trenches. Hats off and salutes to the German commander Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, commanding a small army of German colonial troops and African allies who successfully held out against a multi-national Allied army, consisting of us Brits, the Belgians, the Portuguese AND African nations allied to/with us, who surrounded him and German East Africa and was nearly 10x his size for the entire 4 years of the Great War, and finally did surrender TWO WEEKS after the armistice of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 was signed... WHAT an incredible fete by him for sure, as he certainly knew the terrain and how to live off the land. And of course, RIP to all of the soldiers on both sides of the conflict, the MANY many thousands, civilians too, who succumbed to all sorts of dreadful causes, and not just German bullets. Seriously, Chris old bean, you've done yet it again with another wonderful video about a part of history many of us knew anything about either remotely or absolutely NOTHING at all, the latter applying to me personally, THIS was the big video I coulda needed to welcome me back from my now sadly over two weeks in the paradise of Kefalonia, my return from there being last Sunday of course. Another video on this, the German East Africa Campaign, I'd totally be up for from ya, our superstar figure
A note: German Forces in German East Africa before 1914 had been both Schutztruppe and Landespolizei ( Country Police). The Landespolizei was transformed into Schutztruppe units, when war started, and german settlers where mobilized as Reservists. So there had been at first 1100 to 1200 white german soldiers.
There are a couple of major books dealing with this also the failed British raid on Tanga in 1914. We could do with more info on how we and South Africa took the German colony of Southwest Africa. Ironic that all the trouble Kaiser took to build oversea empire lost it all without hardly a fight. German East Africa held out right to the end of the war the only success Germany had.
I first misread the title. Schnee, the civilian governor, wanted to keep the colony out of the war. Vorbeck argued that the interests of Berlin came first. As far as I understand it Schnee was put under something like house arrest. What might have also deserved mentioning, the failed attempt to resupply Vorbeck by air. The zeppelin U-turn over Egypt (due to second thoughts or a fake counterorder).
Bravo Zulu Chris. Another fine video. I'm just finished up "Redcoat" which I spotted on your shelf. I'm currently rereading "A game of Birds & Wolves" about the Western Approaches Tactical Unit. Brilliant work by Captain Roberts and his Wrens. Any suggestions for books on Royal Navy history?
I was involved with photographing record cards of South African casualties from WW1, and so many of those who made it out of East Africa died from those tropical diseases that they brought home with them. It was a brutal campaign and yet almost forgotten. A special shoutout to the thousands of African soldiers and civilians that lost their lives during and after the campaign, it is only now that we are coming to see their sacrifices.
Looks like your channel is growing well, sir. Good for you. The story of Lettow-Vorbeck would be considered a pure fiction if we don't have historical evidence of it. Also, that part about former Askaris following drill orders well into their old age can't help but make me chuckle. Seems you can't take soldiering out of any ex-military (i heard abour Lettow-Vorbeck the first time from other history youtuber before watching you) For future episodes, i have some suggestion if you haven't already made it: 1.WW1 story of Prime Ministers such as Harold "Supermac" MacMillan or Anthony Eden. 2. Edward Pakenham, from Iberia to New Orleans 3. Alfred The Great and the defeat of the Great Heathen Army at Edington 4. Edward the Black Prince during the Hundred Years War 5. British involvement in Meiji Restoration Thank you and have a nice day
Big fan from Ireland. Have you covered anything in relation to Mandatory Palestine? Was that region generally peaceful under British rule? How bad was the insurgency by groups like Irgun, Lehi & Haganah that resulted in the British abandoning the country, leaving full responsibility with the newly established UN. Its a really interesting subject with a lot of conflicting information. It's hard to get definitive information on the subject.
I would like to do a video(s) because it is so pertinent to current events. Also like walking on egg shells! It was not very peaceful esp from the 1930s. Jewish insurgents and Arab insurgents. Sometimes against each other and often against the British.
@@TheHistoryChap It's a topic that wouldn't have any shortage of interest. From what I can gather, Mandatory Palestine, was functioning fairly well under British control up until 1936 (Arab revolt) & the (Jewish revolt) in 1944. Whether you cover it or not, keep up the great work.
There was a WW2 unit called Selous Scouts of armoured Cara and in the 1970s a Special forces unit. A former Selous Scounts in the 70s-80s was later a Football player in Liverpool
It's not that I don't enjoy the programming of the various people that I watch it's just that I don't like being told what to do except for in your case I always like like your episodes
African troops when properly led are unbeatable in Africa. Examples: Top Portuguese Guinea troops (Comandos da Guiné), Angola (Flechas), Rhodesia (Selous Scouts) and South African Three Two Batallion were composed mainly of African soldiers.
the south Africans had major problems with the rest of their allies for various. the Belgians also did not particularly get on with the south african and british and had their own agenda post war as did the Portuguese and the few french forces involved certainly had their own agenda.
The stuff the Germans did in various actions in Southwest Africa, (now Namibia) where von Lettow-Vorbeck also served, against the Herera and Nama peoples there, was genocide. Really hard to believe that the Germans would ever be guilty of anything like that.
Not defending what German colonial forces did, but every European country that had colonial holdings in Africa(as well as elsewhere around the world) treated the native peoples with a range going from benign disregard to repulsive hostility and violence. Lettow-Vorbeck seems to have treated the native African troops under his command with respect and dignity, and in return they respected and honored him.
@@dongilleo9743 Yeah, I agree with what you said about the colonial history of Africa (and other places), but I just thought I'd point out that Lettow-Vorbeck served in one of the worst examples of genocide ever inflicted on any colonised peoples around the world. The German prescence in SWA was right up there with the horrors of the Belgium Congo, or arguably even worse. Also, I didn't really gauge from the vid that he treated his native troops with any particular respect and dignity you mention, or that they respected and honoured him.
This era is also covered in george lucas' series young indiana Jones chronicles, a series of feature film quality episodes that cover all the big historical events of the early 20th century. Link to series below: ua-cam.com/play/PLcDyf8W4gXOGXdUWDJW8gxIO-H7ErOFGt.html&si=ZaaqOT-kzvbeDLM5
@TheHistoryChap I'd love to hear those sub-stories because it's a different side of the war, not just trench warfare but guerilla warfare and desert warfare and many more. But I honestly haven't heard of that Mesopotania side of the war.
East Africa campaigns were a very brutal affair, specially for civilian populations, in the Portuguese case, although Portugal had a "neutral" political stance in 1914, the Germans atacked on 25th August 1914 the small frontier post of Maziúa in Moçambique, then in October, on the 18th, of the same year, they again atacked, now in the south border of Angola at Naulila and on the 31st at Cuangar, but the worst was yet to come in the following years, as Portugal declared war on Germany, Moçambique became a dire nightmare for portuguese troops until Vorbeck's surrender. Great video sir, thanks a bundle for sharing.
The movie "Shout at the devil" with Lee Marvin and Rodger Moore based on the book of the same name was a good one too. There was also a part in Out of Africa that showed this campaign. This is a very interesting forgotten campaign of WWII. Thank you for sharing this interesting and informative video. Cheers Ron
In past comments i have supported the idea of chris telling this story. Paul Emil von Lettow Vorbeck is one of 2 german military of the 20th century who i have total respect for. Vorbeck as one of the best tacticians in history and Hans Langsdorff as a humanitarian. It is interesting to note, that when Hitler offered vorbeck an ambassador's role he refused because he was against the nazis (another reason for my respect) and as a result effectively had his bank accounts frozen, that one person who supported and bankrolled him was non other than Jan Christian smuts ( who my father once met on table mountain!) I know naval history isn't really your speciality chris, but would love to see your take on the battle of the river plate. As ever..... superb
Check out the "Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" which dedicates a couple of episodes to the conflict in Africa during WW1. Historic fact is that the Nazi's confiscated surplous Askari and tropical German army uniforms after WW1. Hence "Brownshirts".
The Brownshirts were not confiscated but aquired in a large buyout in 1923. The aquired shirts were originally meant to be issued to the East African army of von Lettow. Therefore when they were issued to the SA Stormtroopers internally the Nazis called them "Lettowshirts". Paul von Lettow refused to join the Nazi party but was becoming a part of the SA after the fornt soldier organization "Stahlhelm" was forcibly included into the SA. Since Lettow was part of a military coup attempt in the years after the war he did not have a good standing with the Weimar gouvernment as well. His military achievements and success are outstanding and were recognized by friends and enemies alike. He continuously worked to urge each gouvernment of germany after WW1 to pay the former Askari soldiers their salary money and a pension. I also watched the young Indiana Chronicles way back... it was a great series. Thanks History Chap for this good content and keep it up. :-)
My great uncle served somewhere in Africa in the Great War. I'm not sure of the exact location but they never heard of the Armistice until February 1919. No email back in those days, they had to wait for their supplies to be delivered months later to receive the news, letters from home and perhaps a Christmas present if they were lucky.
Great episode and a perfect follow up to your last video. Fun fact: Because the Germans were cut off from their source of funding they had to build their own mint in Tabora. The equipment for stamping the coinage was salvaged from the Konigsberg after she was sunk by the British. The gold coin which came out of that mint is one of the most epic ever made and goes by a few different names: “15 Rupien,” “Gold Elephant,” and Tabora Sovereign.” I had never seen the “River Queen” before your last video and gave it a watch. Humphrey Bogart was fantastic in that film and now I’m down the rabbit hole of his others! Great channel and great content, looking forward to your next video.
What a guy that German Paul and what a guy Chris for bringing us stuff we don't know about. As an aside, you, Chris, and Chris from Redcoat Military History are my two favourite youtube historians. Despite the geographical differences, you guys should get together ❤❤❤
lol, we learned it in history class.... but also the massacre of the Indians by British troops in India 1946! some stuff they dont teach you in some countries!
Interestingly we travelled across Namibia for 2 half months last year but never realised until we travelled around that there was a lot of commonwealth cemeteries there and we ended up visiting quite a few of them interestingly a lot of the soldiers in them died of the Spanish flue. Thank you for your stories they are brilliant and you tell them so beautifully. Best wishes Martyn Wren
German here, loved hearing the story told in such a British and masterful voice. Lettow-Vorbeck ('V' pronounced like 'F') entered German post-war lore as one of the few undefeated heroes. His quite popular own account of the events, "Heia Safari", adorned the bookshelves of many boys and young men in the 1920s and later. My Granddad (b1902) gave his copy to my Dad (b1938), who handed it on to me (b1965). Nowadays however, only a few young folks may still be familiar with the campaign, neither with its adventures nor with its tragedies. Peace!
Another great video. There are so many stories relating to von Lettow-Vorbeck. Let me mention a few. You mentioned he was vehemently anti-Hitler. Apparently, he was approached about the prospect of becoming German ambassador to the UK during the Nazi period. He reputedly replied; "tell Hitler to go f**k himself". When he was asked about this in later years he denied having been so polite. When, many years later, he returned to Tanganyika / Tanzania, he was met at the port by his former comrades in arms who carried him shoulder-high. I also read, a long time ago, an auto-biography by a coloured man who had grown up in Nazi Germany. Near the end of the war this young man was accosted by an SS officer and under threat of being arrested when a sympathetic German intervened and shouted that the young man's father had fought with von Lettow-Vorbeck in WWI. The mere mention of that name caused the SS man to back off.
The German Forces in Tansania were 1914 simply in a hopeless situation. A tiny military focused on colonial missions. Thus Paul did simply act without any hesitation and fear. There was nothing to loose. I read Lettow Vorbecks book some 40 years ago lent from a military library. It was written in old German letters. The writing was completly different than today...."Unsere Gewehre krachten freudig und unsere Mooren"... our guns banged with pleasure and our Africans.... a style without any xpolitical xcorrectness. I assume that they disposed these books in the meantime.
Great story, thanks. I know it from reading the books of Arthur Heye, a German photographer who went to East Africa 110 years ago to shoot first pictures of wild animals just before the Great War, and got into the German army, wonderful storyteller who also mediated some real life war and nature experience. Thanks for reminding me of that. Seems his books are hard to find, especially in English, might deserve a retranslation maybe.
I still am of the belief most of the South African forces never tried too hard to find him? There is no way anyone will ever convince me how a bunch of African Boers failed to locate a bunch of foreign Germans on African soil.
@PhansiKhongoloza the reason was that a lot of the German Troops were old Bittereinder Boers who imigrated to Arusha in Tanganyika , there were friends and family members on both sides 😅😅😅
A main reason for the success was the Germans fought on foot and systematically lured the British troops relying on horses into Tsetse areas where the horses then died of Trypanosomiasis stranding the troups with no transport, see Angela van den Driesch's 1st edition textbook on Veterinary history in German. Thanks for your channel. Enjoying it tremendously.
Chris ... I brought to yor attention immediately following your African Queen story the 2017 published book "AFRICAN KAISER" by Robt. Gaudi; this book goes into considerble detail re the East African campaign and the life and career of Von Lettow-Vorbeck; an exciting, magnificent read. The book emphasizes repeatedly the important point about Von Lettow-Vorbeck's perseverance you neglected to mention. Knowing he was vastly out-numbered, surrounded with never a chance to claim victory, and overcome by the elements of nature and disease, why did Von Lettow-Vorbeck persist in his endeavor against the British, her allies, and the harshness of the East African bush for 4 long years? The answer: To keep occupied in the East African campaign as many British and allied troops as possible, thereby thwarting any possibility for these enemy forces to participate against the Germans in the European Western Front. Indeed, Von Lettow-Vorbeck returned to Germany in late 1918 and was welcomed home as the hero he was. Cheers, Dr. Richard Broadwell, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
The Askari were loyal because they feared the Arabs who were allied with England will have a say in their country. For centuries the Arabs took slaves and ivory from this part of Africa and they did not forget that. A little story I read in a book called "Kampf in Rufiji Delta" by R.K. Lochner it said that after the Tanga vicotry they build a memorial only with the names of white fallen soldiers on it but Lettow-Vorbeck ordered them to put the names of all fallen soldiers on this memorial cos they too had fallen for Kaiser and Fatherland
You should have mentionend the attempt to resupply Lettow-Vorbeck's men with Zeppelin LZ_104_(L_59) in late 1917 by an air lift across half of Africa. This trip of 6,800 km in 95 hours is still the longest non-stop military airship flight in history (see Wikipedia for more)
A funny twist to this story, Denmark fought 2 wars 1848 and 1864 with Germany, lost in 1864 southern part off Jutland to germany, in a bid to supply and help Von Lettow, Germany constructed a small warship for lake tankanyika,that could assembled after transport overland in Africa, and to run past the british blockade,they disguised the ship as Danish and used some personel from jutland, now officially germans to crew the vessel, they got to east africa, but was then blockaded there, and went to fight with Von Lettow to the end, the lego ship never made it to the lake, and the remaining Danes surrendered with Von Lettow!! (after the war 1920 half off the lost land was voted back to Denmark)
You could try UK. Forces War Records.com/ Imperial War Museum/ National Army Museum/ or www.gov.uk/get-a-copy-milatary-records-of-service. Hope you have success.
I keep seeing the bookshelves behind you and would love a series of videos on books that cover some of the episodes you have done from the Zulu Wars, Rhodesia, Mao Mao uprising, Sudan, to Yemen, to Sikh Wars, Afghanistan, China, WWI in Africa etc.
A great great uncle Lt. Bob Fairweather was an officer in the KAR in East Africa. He was likely a Tobacco Farm Manager in E Africa before WWI. I have 2 photo albums of his experiences in the war, which we showed Peter Charlton, author of “Cinderella’s Soldiers: The Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve”. Peter said Bob’s albums are unusual in that they name some of the native soldiers he fought with. Peter commented he owned some of the men’s medals, but had no idea what they looked like until he saw the albums, Given what my Grandma said about Bob, he wasn’t progressive or enlightened for his time, so Lord knows why he named those brave men when no-one else did. I also have a very detailed bronze statuette Bob’s company won in a rifle competition after the war. One thing you don’t mention Is that the Askaris tended to still be armed with last generation black powder rifles, while even the KAR let alone Indian or British troops tend to have the excellent SMLE. The statuette is holding such. Bob did well out of empire, earning enough to equip the Glamis Pipe Band, I also have a picture of Bob, the pipe band in their regalia with my Grandma in frame. He’s probably buried in Malawi though we know don’t know where. TBO my siblings and I are a bit conflicted regarding a relative who may have played a not insignificant bit part in WWI vs what Europeans were doing there in East Africa first place. I doubt tobacco made any of its labourers rich. But Bob was well to do…
What a story! Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck was without a doubt one of the most able officers the German Army had in the war and in it's history. He is one of many who have proved that being small can have it's advantages.
@@TheHistoryChap its old..... and US soldier thought that the Hitler family been rich like JP Morgan... and they tried to rob their fortune, but they found only normal people! Hitler´s brother been like a Trump, a conman!
It is worth mentioning that the Governor of German East Africa (whose name I don't immediately recall) pleaded with Von L-V on a number of occasions to stop the campaign exactly because of the overall human cost. He declined because he believed it his duty to distract as many of the allies as possible from the war in Europe. Also the battle of Tanga was probably the most mismanaged $&%^ show ever, right up there with Elphinstone's retreat from Afghanistan.
In the First World War, when Britain occupied East Africa, it recruited manpower from India for East Africa. My grandfather was among them, he used to work at the hospital in Moshi, present day Tanzania, later he continued to perform his duties as a doctor in charge at the hospital in Kibong'oto. I have three of his diaries, 1935-37-39 respectively. One states that I treated a German general who was then 60 years old and participated in the Boer War. This German general gifted my grandfather a Mauser pistol which is still in my cousin's possession. I don't know in which year my grandfather went to East Africa, maybe in 1925-26 and came back to India before the partition of India.
Is it true that it was during this campaign that Arthur Travers Harris hated marching so much that later, as a general, he preferred to cover even several dozen meters by car?
Always love your work sir, i know this video will be to your usual high standards. The best thing about Lettow was he told Hitler to go do something inappropriate with himself. But according to another individual, Lettow's actual response to Hitler's offer wasn't so polite. Shame about both his sons dying in WW2, I cant imagine how much that tore at him.
Somewhere I read a funny anecdote about Lettow-Vorbeck. Some years after WW2 he convinced Chancellor Adenauer to pay pensions to his former Askari-Sodiers in Tansania.The german officials who should find out surviving members of his force feared betrayers. So they took an old drill manual and shouted commands to the persons who demanded a pension. The guys you reacted properly to the commands got their pension.
Vorbek was offered by Hitler in the 1930s the position of Ambassador to the Court of St James Vorbek told Hitler allegedly to 'go and do one' He held the rank of General of special purposes during ww2 but did not partake He was kept under surveillance during the war When he died in 1964 two Askaris where flown in as part of the Honour Guard
The German commander seems like a hell of a leader.
Thanks for watching my video
A long time ago (1987), as a young Captain, I did a presentation on Lettow-Vorbeck at Squadron Officer School. Not a single member of my class of fifteen junior officers had ever heard of him.
Thanks for watching & your comment.
@@TheHistoryChap I really enjoy your channel. It is first class.
A true legend. In the biography I read a few years ago. There was a story that impressed me quite a lot.
Towards the end of his life, he returned to East Africa as an anonymous tourist. Apparently the word had gotten out that we was coming, so that when he landed, those few remaining Askaris and hundreds of their decedents where there to meet him. All standing at attention in perfectly formed rows, and executing a very military salute.
Brothers in arms.
he made sure, his Askari soldiers got retirement payment from West Germany after WW2!
Thanks for that interesting feedback.
There were even former Askaris at his funeral in Germany
Read about this campaign in 1976 when I was twenty three. Man was a genius, The Shutztruppe Klasse !
The Book Was -- 'Battle For The Bundu.' Cannot now remember the author or publisher. Brother however still has the book. Rollicking good read,type of book we read from the fifties on.
An excellent account! I was hoping you might mention the attempt to resupply Lettow-Vorbeck by zeppelin in 1917. That was a grueling adventure in itself and may be worthy of a later program. Thank you for your work!
Glad you enjoyed my video, & will add your suggestion to my ever growing list.
Thanks for this very clear summary of the little known war in East Africa. My great-uncle, Arthur Edwardes - born in India but resident in South Africa when the war broke out - was a lieutenant in the KAR at some point in that campaign. He survived the war and married the niece of General Louis Botha, the South African Prime Minster of the time. The South African general, Jaap van Deventer, (whose name confusingly is pronounced something like "Fun Dearfinter', not 'Van-De-Venter') who had fought against the British during the Boer War (1899 --1902) as a Boer general, apparently seldom spoke a word of English though he understood it perfectly. Congratulations on this very good and illuminating series. I am enjoying it immensely.
Thanks for your interesting feedback, glad you enjoyed my video.
The atrocity of the english against the Boers is still revolting. Wonder why the dumb Boers fought with the english? Stockholm syndrome?
Wow, what a history of warfare which I knew nothing about, I have to salute the German commander. He knew the terrain and how to live off the land. RIP to all of the soldiers on both sides of the conflict 🙏
Chris, my friend, you have done it again with another wonderful video about a part of history many of us knew anything about remotely. In America we are taught rudimentary facts about World War I and all of it concerns the conflict in Western Europe. It is wonderful that you're shining a light on a forgotten part of history so that we may learn from it. Bravo, amigo y vaya con Dios.
Harry, thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I have heard that after the Second World War, von Lettow-Vorbeck was struggling to get enough food. When suddenly he started to receive food packages from his old enemy Jan Smuts.
Interesting story. Thanks for sharing.
Brilliant video lecture on Lettow-Vorbec . The man was true master of irregular warfare. I have read many books regarding this near forgotten German general. Thank you Sir for creating near mini masterpiece of a video lecture. I humbly await your your next video lecture.
Many thanks for your support.
I absolutely love your work! Professional, well researched, and well delivered. Thank-you for all you do!
Very kind of you. Glad you enjoy them.
"African Kaiser" by Robert Gaudi, 2017; gives an excellent account of the East African campaign.
Great book. I was going to recommend it as well. It not only covers the East Africa German campaign, but gives a good background to the German colonial history in Africa.
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing details of the book
Three of my great uncles served as scouts for the allies. They had great respect for Von Vorbek.
Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting feedback.
My grandfather on my mother's side was in abercorn as a trainee tobacco planter in 1920 and related stories of former troops of van lettow voorbeck having settled in that area after the war
fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this story. It is well-balanced and based on facts. Lettow-Vorbeck wrote a book about his time in German East Africa. The title is "Heia Safari" and it could be found at any German library. Back then it was considered a good read. I do not know what would happen today if somebody asked at a library for this book.
Id love to read a translation, but probably banned today for being imperialist
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching my video,
@@richardmarahall8943 If Lettow-Vorbeck had met Lord Baden Powell over a couple of drinks, they would probably have become bestest friends for the rest of their livetime.
This one was an outstanding story of forgotten yet extraordinary history 👍
Glad you enjoyed my video, thanks for watching.
The Allies respect him and his army, the army was parade by the British Army after the war.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Very interesting and undercover topic thanks for all your hard work sir
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
Fantastic tale. Thanks for this.
Glad you enjoyed it.
YES, you fulfilled our wishes on the intent of a video (which I believe you did promise in the first one of your four videos done while I was out there in Kefalonia, Chris old bean, being the aweing one telling of the Battle of Lake Tanganyika itself) about THIS, the section of WW1 that, as someone else has quite rightfully pointed out, is SO underrated, as EVERYTHING ya hear about that war makes ya think instantly of only the horrors of the trenches in Europe, don't it, and damn right I'd say in accordance agreement that it deserves more recognition.
Cos WOW, forget about the trenches and our terrible costly battles in Europe against the mad withered armed cripple of Kaiser Wilhelm II, THIS story, a four year long jungle warfare and guerilla conflict which certainly I knew absolutely NOTHING, zero, zilch, about, until YOU finally brought it to light, our British military history UA-cam superstar Chris dear chap, I would give ANYTHING for a film or TV series, either proper or just documentary, about much more than the continuously tiresome giving of just Europe and the trenches. Hats off and salutes to the German commander Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, commanding a small army of German colonial troops and African allies who successfully held out against a multi-national Allied army, consisting of us Brits, the Belgians, the Portuguese AND African nations allied to/with us, who surrounded him and German East Africa and was nearly 10x his size for the entire 4 years of the Great War, and finally did surrender TWO WEEKS after the armistice of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 was signed... WHAT an incredible fete by him for sure, as he certainly knew the terrain and how to live off the land. And of course, RIP to all of the soldiers on both sides of the conflict, the MANY many thousands, civilians too, who succumbed to all sorts of dreadful causes, and not just German bullets.
Seriously, Chris old bean, you've done yet it again with another wonderful video about a part of history many of us knew anything about either remotely or absolutely NOTHING at all, the latter applying to me personally, THIS was the big video I coulda needed to welcome me back from my now sadly over two weeks in the paradise of Kefalonia, my return from there being last Sunday of course. Another video on this, the German East Africa Campaign, I'd totally be up for from ya, our superstar figure
Max, I really do love reading your missives. Thanks for your support.
Here here
Great story again, Chris, thank you...!
Glad you enjoyed it.
A note: German Forces in German East Africa before 1914 had been both Schutztruppe and Landespolizei ( Country Police). The Landespolizei was transformed into Schutztruppe units, when war started, and german settlers where mobilized as Reservists. So there had been at first 1100 to 1200 white german soldiers.
Thanks for watching & your feedback.
As a South African, I'm ashamed to say I knew very little about Smuts's involvement in this campaign. Thanks for elucidating me!
Thanks for watching my video & for the comment.
Excellent story!!!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.
No payment for two years, and they were still loyal, says it all.
Thanks for watching my video.
Still honored their former leader well after the war while already under a different colonial powers rule. So much for the eternal huns.
Another gem of forgotten history
Glad you enjoyed my video, thanks for watching.
you good sir deserve every like and share you can get
Thanks for watching my video & your comment.
Fascinating! Well told.
In fact due to your telling me what the movie was about, I'm going to watch "Shout at the Devil" tonight.
I watched it too on Thursday night ( whilst ironing!)
There are a couple of major books dealing with this also the failed British raid on Tanga in 1914. We could do with more info on how we and South Africa took the German colony of Southwest Africa. Ironic that all the trouble Kaiser took to build oversea empire lost it all without hardly a fight. German East Africa held out right to the end of the war the only success Germany had.
Thanks for watching my video.
I first misread the title. Schnee, the civilian governor, wanted to keep the colony out of the war. Vorbeck argued that the interests of Berlin came first. As far as I understand it Schnee was put under something like house arrest. What might have also deserved mentioning, the failed attempt to resupply Vorbeck by air. The zeppelin U-turn over Egypt (due to second thoughts or a fake counterorder).
Thanks for watching my video & your interesting feedback.
Bravo Zulu Chris. Another fine video. I'm just finished up "Redcoat" which I spotted on your shelf. I'm currently rereading "A game of Birds & Wolves" about the Western Approaches Tactical Unit. Brilliant work by Captain Roberts and his Wrens. Any suggestions for books on Royal Navy history?
I was involved with photographing record cards of South African casualties from WW1, and so many of those who made it out of East Africa died from those tropical diseases that they brought home with them. It was a brutal campaign and yet almost forgotten. A special shoutout to the thousands of African soldiers and civilians that lost their lives during and after the campaign, it is only now that we are coming to see their sacrifices.
Thanks for watching my video & for your informative feedback.
Chris a cheeky little question for you...
Who was the best commander...
Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck or Felix von Luckner for what they did in World War 1?
Excellent
Glad you enjoyed my video, thanks for watching.
Very interesting. I'd love to see more videos on Frederick Selous, P.J. Pretorius and Richard Meinertzhagen.
Thanks for watching my video
Looks like your channel is growing well, sir. Good for you.
The story of Lettow-Vorbeck would be considered a pure fiction if we don't have historical evidence of it. Also, that part about former Askaris following drill orders well into their old age can't help but make me chuckle. Seems you can't take soldiering out of any ex-military (i heard abour Lettow-Vorbeck the first time from other history youtuber before watching you)
For future episodes, i have some suggestion if you haven't already made it:
1.WW1 story of Prime Ministers such as Harold "Supermac" MacMillan or Anthony Eden.
2. Edward Pakenham, from Iberia to New Orleans
3. Alfred The Great and the defeat of the Great Heathen Army at Edington
4. Edward the Black Prince during the Hundred Years War
5. British involvement in Meiji Restoration
Thank you and have a nice day
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed my video
@@TheHistoryChap you're welcome.
A good read for anyone interested is Edward Paice Tip & Run. It’s a fantastic read for this forgotten campaign
One of my sources.
There is a pretty good novel based on this conflict, called "Ghosts of Africa" by William Stevenson.
Thank you for sharing. Appreciated
Big fan from Ireland. Have you covered anything in relation to Mandatory Palestine? Was that region generally peaceful under British rule? How bad was the insurgency by groups like Irgun, Lehi & Haganah that resulted in the British abandoning the country, leaving full responsibility with the newly established UN. Its a really interesting subject with a lot of conflicting information. It's hard to get definitive information on the subject.
I would like to do a video(s) because it is so pertinent to current events. Also like walking on egg shells!
It was not very peaceful esp from the 1930s. Jewish insurgents and Arab insurgents. Sometimes against each other and often against the British.
@@TheHistoryChap It's a topic that wouldn't have any shortage of interest. From what I can gather, Mandatory Palestine, was functioning fairly well under British control up until 1936 (Arab revolt) & the (Jewish revolt) in 1944. Whether you cover it or not, keep up the great work.
Maybe next you can talk about the war in the Middle East. That theater of operations is sadly neglected.
Planning to kick off with the siege of Kut.
There was a WW2 unit called Selous Scouts of armoured Cara and in the 1970s a Special forces unit. A former Selous Scounts in the 70s-80s was later a Football player in Liverpool
I have done a video about Selous (the man not the scouts). Are you referring to Bruce G?
In an odd twist East German advisors would later show up in, now independent, Tansania and continue von Lettow-Vorbecks work (sort of).
Thanks for watching my video
In how far? Wasn't Tansania traditionally west aligned?
@@chrise-ih4ix one country of, Kenya was pro western. Tansania under Nyere not so much.
Apparently, he died in poverty
Not sure about that. Thanks for sharing.
❤
Thanks Bill.
It's not that I don't enjoy the programming of the various people that I watch it's just that I don't like being told what to do except for in your case I always like like your episodes
Thanks for your comment.
Pretorious and the Konnesburg
Thanks for watching my video.
Any other news on the ANZACS in Palestine
Sorry, still working through my list.
African troops when properly led are unbeatable in Africa. Examples: Top Portuguese Guinea troops (Comandos da Guiné), Angola (Flechas), Rhodesia (Selous Scouts) and South African Three Two Batallion were composed mainly of African soldiers.
Thanks for watching & your feedback.
Creature from the black lagoon,
Thanks for watching my video.
@@TheHistoryChap there’s a book on Black Forest , WW , 2 , attrition. , 1946, ,
the south Africans had major problems with the rest of their allies for various. the Belgians also did not particularly get on with the south african and british and had their own agenda post war as did the Portuguese and the few french forces involved certainly had their own agenda.
Rather like the competing allied agendas against the Ottomans.
@TheHistoryChap hehehehe very true. and that only got alot more complex when greece officially joined the war.
plus the united states had a very odd stance on the ottoman empire. which kind of caused a fair bit of confusion.
how come you reply to every comment
But to yours.
And with a mere copy and paste usually.
no wonder why african is visiting germany permanently. 🤣🤣🤣
🤔👍
Thanks for watching my video
🫡
Thanks for watching my video.
The stuff the Germans did in various actions in Southwest Africa, (now Namibia) where von Lettow-Vorbeck also served, against the Herera and Nama peoples there, was genocide. Really hard to believe that the Germans would ever be guilty of anything like that.
Great book on SWA (Namibia) is "The Kaiser's Holocaust"
@@TheHistoryChap Thank's cobber. Will check that out. Another interesting vid by the way. :)
Not defending what German colonial forces did, but every European country that had colonial holdings in Africa(as well as elsewhere around the world) treated the native peoples with a range going from benign disregard to repulsive hostility and violence.
Lettow-Vorbeck seems to have treated the native African troops under his command with respect and dignity, and in return they respected and honored him.
@@dongilleo9743 Yeah, I agree with what you said about the colonial history of Africa (and other places), but I just thought I'd point out that Lettow-Vorbeck served in one of the worst examples of genocide ever inflicted on any colonised peoples around the world. The German prescence in SWA was right up there with the horrors of the Belgium Congo, or arguably even worse. Also, I didn't really gauge from the vid that he treated his native troops with any particular respect and dignity you mention, or that they respected and honoured him.
This era is also covered in george lucas' series young indiana Jones chronicles, a series of feature film quality episodes that cover all the big historical events of the early 20th century.
Link to series below:
ua-cam.com/play/PLcDyf8W4gXOGXdUWDJW8gxIO-H7ErOFGt.html&si=ZaaqOT-kzvbeDLM5
Thanks for your feedback.
This part of ww1 is so underrated, and i think it deserves more recognition.
There are so many sub-stories. having said that, the war in mesopotania, Palestine & Salonika Front are all worth telling too.
@TheHistoryChap I'd love to hear those sub-stories because it's a different side of the war, not just trench warfare but guerilla warfare and desert warfare and many more.
But I honestly haven't heard of that Mesopotania side of the war.
Or at least a Battle Field 1 expansion.
A story of colonial subjugation. Interesting on many levels.
@@HenrySimple agreed
Excellent story!!!
Glad you enjoyed it.
This was a great documentary! I have a suggestion: The Salonika Front. It was a deadly but largely forgotten part of WWI. Thank you!
Thanks for the suggestion - my list is becoming even longer.
First-class story-telling, Chris. It is these little-known tales that make your channel so special.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks.
East Africa campaigns were a very brutal affair, specially for civilian populations, in the Portuguese case, although Portugal had a "neutral" political stance in 1914, the Germans atacked on 25th August 1914 the small frontier post of Maziúa in Moçambique, then in October, on the 18th, of the same year, they again atacked, now in the south border of Angola at Naulila and on the 31st at Cuangar, but the worst was yet to come in the following years, as Portugal declared war on Germany, Moçambique became a dire nightmare for portuguese troops until Vorbeck's surrender. Great video sir, thanks a bundle for sharing.
Thanks for watching and for taking the time to share additional information.
The movie "Shout at the devil" with Lee Marvin and Rodger Moore based on the book of the same name was a good one too. There was also a part in Out of Africa that showed this campaign. This is a very interesting forgotten campaign of WWII. Thank you for sharing this interesting and informative video. Cheers Ron
Interstingly, I have read that Karen Blixen was a fellow passenger on the ship that von Lettow-Vorbeck travelled on to Africa .
@@TheHistoryChap small world
WW1....its another war....!
In past comments i have supported the idea of chris telling this story.
Paul Emil von Lettow Vorbeck is one of 2 german military of the 20th century who i have total respect for. Vorbeck as one of the best tacticians in history and Hans Langsdorff as a humanitarian.
It is interesting to note, that when Hitler offered vorbeck an ambassador's role he refused because he was against the nazis (another reason for my respect) and as a result effectively had his bank accounts frozen, that one person who supported and bankrolled him was non other than Jan Christian smuts ( who my father once met on table mountain!)
I know naval history isn't really your speciality chris, but would love to see your take on the battle of the river plate.
As ever..... superb
Glad you enjoyed it, & thanks for the interesting feedback.
Another nice story. A subject i didn't see many videos talking about out there. Thank you.
My pleasure. I find the "little" wars away from the Western Front fascinating.
Check out the "Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" which dedicates a couple of episodes to the conflict in Africa during WW1. Historic fact is that the Nazi's confiscated surplous Askari and tropical German army uniforms after WW1. Hence "Brownshirts".
You are absolutely correct re. the Brownshirts.
The Brownshirts were not confiscated but aquired in a large buyout in 1923. The aquired shirts were originally meant to be issued to the East African army of von Lettow. Therefore when they were issued to the SA Stormtroopers internally the Nazis called them "Lettowshirts". Paul von Lettow refused to join the Nazi party but was becoming a part of the SA after the fornt soldier organization "Stahlhelm" was forcibly included into the SA. Since Lettow was part of a military coup attempt in the years after the war he did not have a good standing with the Weimar gouvernment as well. His military achievements and success are outstanding and were recognized by friends and enemies alike. He continuously worked to urge each gouvernment of germany after WW1 to pay the former Askari soldiers their salary money and a pension. I also watched the young Indiana Chronicles way back... it was a great series. Thanks History Chap for this good content and keep it up. :-)
My great uncle served somewhere in Africa in the Great War. I'm not sure of the exact location but they never heard of the Armistice until February 1919.
No email back in those days, they had to wait for their supplies to be delivered months later to receive the news, letters from home and perhaps a Christmas present if they were lucky.
Thanks for your interesting family story & for watching my video
Super Chris👍👍👍
Many thanks.
Great episode and a perfect follow up to your last video. Fun fact: Because the Germans were cut off from their source of funding they had to build their own mint in Tabora. The equipment for stamping the coinage was salvaged from the Konigsberg after she was sunk by the British. The gold coin which came out of that mint is one of the most epic ever made and goes by a few different names: “15 Rupien,” “Gold Elephant,” and Tabora Sovereign.” I had never seen the “River Queen” before your last video and gave it a watch. Humphrey Bogart was fantastic in that film and now I’m down the rabbit hole of his others! Great channel and great content, looking forward to your next video.
I love going down historical rabbit holes!
What a guy that German Paul and what a guy Chris for bringing us stuff we don't know about. As an aside, you, Chris, and Chris from Redcoat Military History are my two favourite youtube historians. Despite the geographical differences, you guys should get together ❤❤❤
We do chat on a reasonably frequent basis and have discussed making a joint video.
lol, we learned it in history class....
but also the massacre of the Indians by British troops in India 1946!
some stuff they dont teach you in some countries!
@@TheHistoryChap bring it on! Two of the best on UA-cam!
Interestingly we travelled across Namibia for 2 half months last year but never realised until we travelled around that there was a lot of commonwealth cemeteries there and we ended up visiting quite a few of them interestingly a lot of the soldiers in them died of the Spanish flue.
Thank you for your stories they are brilliant and you tell them so beautifully.
Best wishes
Martyn Wren
Martyn, Spanish flu ripped through both armies in East Africa after the end of the war.
@@TheHistoryChap many thanks for the reply 👍
German here, loved hearing the story told in such a British and masterful voice.
Lettow-Vorbeck ('V' pronounced like 'F') entered German post-war lore as one of the few undefeated heroes. His quite popular own account of the events, "Heia Safari", adorned the bookshelves of many boys and young men in the 1920s and later. My Granddad (b1902) gave his copy to my Dad (b1938), who handed it on to me (b1965). Nowadays however, only a few young folks may still be familiar with the campaign, neither with its adventures nor with its tragedies. Peace!
I love your narrative telling of these historical events. Your delivery is very entertaining and informative.
Glad you like them!
Another great video. There are so many stories relating to von Lettow-Vorbeck. Let me mention a few. You mentioned he was vehemently anti-Hitler. Apparently, he was approached about the prospect of becoming German ambassador to the UK during the Nazi period. He reputedly replied; "tell Hitler to go f**k himself". When he was asked about this in later years he denied having been so polite. When, many years later, he returned to Tanganyika / Tanzania, he was met at the port by his former comrades in arms who carried him shoulder-high. I also read, a long time ago, an auto-biography by a coloured man who had grown up in Nazi Germany. Near the end of the war this young man was accosted by an SS officer and under threat of being arrested when a sympathetic German intervened and shouted that the young man's father had fought with von Lettow-Vorbeck in WWI. The mere mention of that name caused the SS man to back off.
The German Forces in Tansania were 1914 simply in a hopeless situation. A tiny military focused on colonial missions. Thus Paul did simply act without any hesitation and fear. There was nothing to loose.
I read Lettow Vorbecks book some 40 years ago lent from a military library. It was written in old German letters. The writing was completly different than today...."Unsere Gewehre krachten freudig und unsere Mooren"... our guns banged with pleasure and our Africans.... a style without any xpolitical xcorrectness. I assume that they disposed these books in the meantime.
Great story, thanks. I know it from reading the books of Arthur Heye, a German photographer who went to East Africa 110 years ago to shoot first pictures of wild animals just before the Great War, and got into the German army, wonderful storyteller who also mediated some real life war and nature experience. Thanks for reminding me of that. Seems his books are hard to find, especially in English, might deserve a retranslation maybe.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share.
Thank you very much for giving tribute to this excellent officer.
Here in Germany this would be impossible.
Thanks for watching & for your comment.
Why would that be?
-Naja- put everything into perspective (sag' ich mal). Oder ist das einer ihrer Vorfahren??
My grandfather fought there with the Natal Light Horse. I wish I had asked him more about it.
I still am of the belief most of the South African forces never tried too hard to find him?
There is no way anyone will ever convince me how a bunch of African Boers failed to locate a bunch of foreign Germans on African soil.
Thanks for watching & your interesting feedback.
@PhansiKhongoloza the reason was that a lot of the German Troops were old Bittereinder Boers who imigrated to Arusha in Tanganyika , there were friends and family members on both sides 😅😅😅
A main reason for the success was the Germans fought on foot and systematically lured the British troops relying on horses into Tsetse areas where the horses then died of Trypanosomiasis stranding the troups with no transport, see Angela van den Driesch's 1st edition textbook on Veterinary history in German. Thanks for your channel. Enjoying it tremendously.
Thank you for your support.
Thank you for the telling of this part of war history. Peace and goodwill.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Chris ... I brought to yor attention immediately following your African Queen story the 2017 published book "AFRICAN KAISER" by Robt. Gaudi; this book goes into considerble detail re the East African campaign and the life and career of Von Lettow-Vorbeck; an exciting, magnificent read. The book emphasizes repeatedly the important point about Von Lettow-Vorbeck's perseverance you neglected to mention. Knowing he was vastly out-numbered, surrounded with never a chance to claim victory, and overcome by the elements of nature and disease, why did Von Lettow-Vorbeck persist in his endeavor against the British, her allies, and the harshness of the East African bush for 4 long years? The answer: To keep occupied in the East African campaign as many British and allied troops as possible, thereby thwarting any possibility for these enemy forces to participate against the Germans in the European Western Front. Indeed, Von Lettow-Vorbeck returned to Germany in late 1918 and was welcomed home as the hero he was. Cheers, Dr. Richard Broadwell, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
Thank you so much for sharing. Will add to my reading list 😊
And several of his troops went on to serve in Abwehr and Brandenburgers .
Thanks for sharing.
The Askari were loyal because they feared the Arabs who were allied with England will have a say in their country. For centuries the Arabs took slaves and ivory from this part of Africa and they did not forget that. A little story I read in a book called "Kampf in Rufiji Delta" by R.K. Lochner it said that after the Tanga vicotry they build a memorial only with the names of white fallen soldiers on it but Lettow-Vorbeck ordered them to put the names of all fallen soldiers on this memorial cos they too had fallen for Kaiser and Fatherland
You should have mentionend the attempt to resupply Lettow-Vorbeck's men with Zeppelin LZ_104_(L_59) in late 1917 by an air lift across half of Africa. This trip of 6,800 km in 95 hours is still the longest non-stop military airship flight in history (see Wikipedia for more)
Thanks for your feedback.
A funny twist to this story, Denmark fought 2 wars 1848 and 1864 with Germany, lost in 1864 southern part off Jutland to germany, in a bid to supply and help Von Lettow, Germany constructed a small warship for lake tankanyika,that could assembled after transport overland in Africa, and to run past the british blockade,they disguised the ship as Danish and used some personel from jutland, now officially germans to crew the vessel, they got to east africa, but was then blockaded there, and went to fight with Von Lettow to the end, the lego ship never made it to the lake, and the remaining Danes surrendered with Von Lettow!! (after the war 1920 half off the lost land was voted back to Denmark)
Thanks for your interesting feedback.
Excellent episode Chris. Is there any where that one can source the service records of those who fought in this campaign?
You could try UK. Forces War Records.com/ Imperial War Museum/ National Army Museum/ or www.gov.uk/get-a-copy-milatary-records-of-service. Hope you have success.
I keep seeing the bookshelves behind you and would love a series of videos on books that cover some of the episodes you have done from the Zulu Wars, Rhodesia, Mao Mao uprising, Sudan, to Yemen, to Sikh Wars, Afghanistan, China, WWI in Africa etc.
Great idea. Maybe a live show?
A great great uncle Lt. Bob Fairweather was an officer in the KAR in East Africa. He was likely a Tobacco Farm Manager in E Africa before WWI. I have 2 photo albums of his experiences in the war, which we showed Peter Charlton, author of “Cinderella’s Soldiers: The Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve”. Peter said Bob’s albums are unusual in that they name some of the native soldiers he fought with. Peter commented he owned some of the men’s medals, but had no idea what they looked like until he saw the albums, Given what my Grandma said about Bob, he wasn’t progressive or enlightened for his time, so Lord knows why he named those brave men when no-one else did. I also have a very detailed bronze statuette Bob’s company won in a rifle competition after the war.
One thing you don’t mention Is that the Askaris tended to still be armed with last generation black powder rifles, while even the KAR let alone Indian or British troops tend to have the excellent SMLE. The statuette is holding such.
Bob did well out of empire, earning enough to equip the Glamis Pipe Band, I also have a picture of Bob, the pipe band in their regalia with my Grandma in frame. He’s probably buried in Malawi though we know don’t know where.
TBO my siblings and I are a bit conflicted regarding a relative who may have played a not insignificant bit part in WWI vs what Europeans were doing there in East Africa first place. I doubt tobacco made any of its labourers rich. But Bob was well to do…
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your interesting family story.
Plewe spell V = F. So it sounds like Forbeck. Thank you.
What a story! Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck was without a doubt one of the most able officers the German Army had in the war and in it's history. He is one of many who have proved that being small can have it's advantages.
Glad you enjoyed it Nathan. Thanks for commenting.
Tangentially, my younger brother's grade four teacher was a Miss Vorbeck.
Did you know that a Hitler served in the US Navy during WW2?
@@TheHistoryChap its old.....
and US soldier thought that the Hitler family been rich like JP Morgan...
and they tried to rob their fortune,
but they found only normal people!
Hitler´s brother been like a Trump, a conman!
All life is a lesson, thank you for today's, Professor!
My pleasure. I'm glad that you found it interesting.
It is worth mentioning that the Governor of German East Africa (whose name I don't immediately recall) pleaded with Von L-V on a number of occasions to stop the campaign exactly because of the overall human cost. He declined because he believed it his duty to distract as many of the allies as possible from the war in Europe. Also the battle of Tanga was probably the most mismanaged $&%^ show ever, right up there with Elphinstone's retreat from Afghanistan.
Thanks for your feedback.
Lettow-Vorbeck was an excellent soldier and officer. He was guilty of warcrimes also though, IIRC.
Like everything else in history, there are always hidden sides to heroes and also to villains.
In the First World War, when Britain occupied East Africa, it recruited manpower from India for East Africa.
My grandfather was among them, he used to work at the hospital in Moshi, present day Tanzania, later he continued to perform his duties as a doctor in charge at the hospital in Kibong'oto.
I have three of his diaries, 1935-37-39 respectively. One states that I treated a German general who was then 60 years old and participated in the Boer War.
This German general gifted my grandfather a Mauser pistol which is still in my cousin's possession.
I don't know in which year my grandfather went to East Africa, maybe in 1925-26 and came back to India before the partition of India.
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your interesting family story.
Great work! Can't wait to see the upcoming vids that you mentioned.
So many stories that I want to tell.
Ah yes the great German Empire consisting of one small sausage factory in Tanganyika.
Captain Blackadder at his best
Thanks for watching my video
Is it true that it was during this campaign that Arthur Travers Harris hated marching so much that later, as a general, he preferred to cover even several dozen meters by car?
Thanks for watching my video
I would ask for a video on how the British cornered and sank the Konigsberg. Its an excellent story.
It’s on my list. Please subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss it.
Once again Dr Felton has been outflanked😂
Compliment indeed. Thanks.
Always love your work sir, i know this video will be to your usual high standards.
The best thing about Lettow was he told Hitler to go do something inappropriate with himself. But according to another individual, Lettow's actual response to Hitler's offer wasn't so polite.
Shame about both his sons dying in WW2, I cant imagine how much that tore at him.
Yes, a gentleman in the old sense.
Somewhere I read a funny anecdote about Lettow-Vorbeck. Some years after WW2 he convinced Chancellor Adenauer to pay pensions to his former Askari-Sodiers in Tansania.The german officials who should find out surviving members of his force feared betrayers. So they took an old drill manual and shouted commands to the persons who demanded a pension. The guys you reacted properly to the commands got their pension.
Beautifully explained, once again. I only missed the letters exchanged between Von Letow and Smuts, if they are real at all!
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed my video.
Vorbek was offered by Hitler in the 1930s the position of Ambassador to the Court of St James
Vorbek told Hitler allegedly to 'go and do one'
He held the rank of General of special purposes during ww2 but did not partake
He was kept under surveillance during the war
When he died in 1964 two Askaris where flown in as part of the Honour Guard
Thanks for your interesting feedback.