Military Model Scene

Title: The East Africa Campaign 1914-1918
Author: David Smith
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-4891-8

Campaign number 379 from Osprey, a 96-page soft-cover book, sub-titled 'Von Lettow-Vorbeck's Masterclass' and artwork by Graham Turner.
Opening with a helpful Introduction that sets the scene for the story, along with a Chronology of key events the rest is spread over 4 main chapters plus an Aftermath section and some notes on the Battlefield Today. Starting in 1914, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck led German Colonial forces in action against British and Allied forces in East Africa and in the surrounding states. It begins with the usual look at the senior commanders of both sides involved in the conflict, the opposing strengths of the forces available to them, and to their basic plans. For the German side, a major objective was to tie up British/Allied forces and simply keep them away from reinforcing the Western Front in Europe. The main section of the book then concentrates on the various stages of the conflict, which is in turn divided into 5 parts. Both sides faced problems from the terrain, wild animals and tropical diseases, which were common to all sides. While both sides mixed European soldiers with native troops, the Askaris for the Germans in particular, plus thousands of native porters. Soldiers from India, South Africa, Nigeria, Portugal and Belgium were all involved at the various stages. Fighting moved around the region, and included a number of battles, with both sides having success and failures. Read the story of the German cruiser Konigsberg, which while it was eventually sunk, guns salvaged from it were used by the German army. Another German ship, the Goetzen, not only has an amazing story behind it, but ruled Lake Tanganyika, was scuttled but we learn was later raised and is still in use today as a ferry! Guerrilla warfare, with small groups attacking key rail lines, was well used by the German commander. Later, superior numbers of South African troops under Jan Smuts were still unable to defeat the German forces, which knew when to withdraw into the vast areas of land. In the end, despite many challenges, von Lettow-Vorbeck only surrendered with his much reduces force once Germany had surrendered in Europe.
This is a part of WW1 which I knew very little about and this makes for fascinating reading. Perhaps we hear less about it because it was a success story for this relatively small German army, but maybe I am being unfair. Illustrated with some archive photos along with battle maps, maps, and some battle scenes. Excellent value and I think another good addition to the Campaign series.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin