A review of African Kaiser – General Paul Von
Lettow-Vorbeck and the Great War in Africa, 1914-1918 by Robert Gaudi,
Caliber, NY, 2017.
This is a fascinating account of the life and war of Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the German commander in East Africa who fought and strategically
retreated, effectively stymieing Allied forces hundreds of times larger for
years. The only undefeated German commander in the war, von Lettow-Vorbeck
surrendered his troops in (then) northern Rhodesia days after the armistice was
signed in Europe. A genuine military
genius and heroic leader, von Lottow-Vorbeck, while personable in a social
context, could be cold, calculating, and ruthless in pursuit of military
objectives.
Scion of a Prussian aristocratic family, like many of
his forbearers Paul was destined to be a soldier. His route into the German military
establishment in the 1880s was typical, but he yearned for action. He gained overseas
experience in China during the Boxer Rebellion. He also saw service in German
South West Africa in the early 1900s combatting Herero and Hottentot uprisings.
Author Gaudi details these formative experiences which gave von Lettow-Vorbeck
insight into foreign cultures and methods of combat. These insights helped him
frame the tactics he would use against superior forces during WWI.
Colonel von Lettow-Vorbeck became military commander in
German East Africa in 1914. As the world tumbled towards war, he prepared for
conflict. His approach stood in stark
contrast to Heinrick Schnee, Germany’s Governor of the colony who advocated
neutrality. Although on the same side,
the two would continue to differ throughout the war. Lettow-Vorbeck’s plan was
to engage British forces, to draw them into conflict, to compel Britain to deploy
massive numbers of troops and resources to engage him. He doubted if he could
win a campaign. However, his calculus was to the extent that Allied resources
were tied up in East Africa they would not be available for the war in
Europe. This premise proved to be
correct.
Initially von Lettow-Vorbeck had a small force of less than
three thousand Germans and about ten thousand African troops. His use of black troops was derided by racist
British adversaries, but he knew they were loyal to him and could fight. Of course, this number dwindled enormously
over the course of the war. Ultimately, British Empire forces engaged in the
chase numbered over three hundred thousand, plus naval assets deployed to
control the Indian Ocean.
The history of the war which author Gaudi recounts in detail
tells of several major confrontations such as the British attacks on Tanga and
Taveta. Beyond that he personalizes the conflict and key people involved,
especially von Lettow-Vorbeck. Gaudi draws
on official documents, diaries, and memoirs from both sides of the conflict to
elucidate not just on tactics, but also emotions, pains and reflections. The violence of war was horrible for all
involved. Even so, it was the hardship of the bush that was most debilitating
to both sides. Diseases of all types, especially malaria, killed thousands.
Lack of food, ammunition and equipment especially plagued the isolated
Germans. At one point during the war the
high command in Berlin authorized a zeppelin, flying from Europe, to resupply
the beleaguered forces but it never arrived.
Similarly, Gaudi tells the saga of the British search and destroy effort
aimed at the German battleship Konigsberg which took refuge in the Rufiji River
delta. After the ship was sunk, Germans
put her big guns on carriages and used them effectively in succeeding years.
In summary, African Kaiser, is a definitive biography of Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and a superb history of World War One in Africa. I pulled out my maps of East Africa, tracked the action and thoroughly enjoyed the read.
