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My Reminiscences of East Africa: The East Africa Campaign of the First World War by the Most Notable German Commander
The legendary German general of the bush war in Africa
For many the Great War means the Western Front, that gruelling, slogging stalemate of attrition that was the mud and blood of trench warfare. Yet this was truly a 'world war' fought between nations, many of whom were imperial powers with footholds, interests or colonies across the globe which were often in close proximity to those who were now their enemies. Conflicts took place on land, sea and in the air; the battlegrounds could be tropical jungle or bleached desert. For many of those interested in the war of 1914-18 these so called 'side-show' campaigns are, liberated from the standstill of the European theatre, of special interest. These were mobile wars where the talents of good commanders found the potential for expression and where often exotic terrain and colonial troops brought unique colour and singular events into being. Never was this more applicable than in East Africa where British and German territories lay 'cheek by jowl'. The men who fought these campaigns included Africans, both black and white, who knew the bush well and were equal to its challenges. The author of this book was one of the most remarkable commanders in the entire war not only in the East African Campaign, for he was never truly beaten in battle though quite often the odds were decidedly against him. This was a German with a genius for guerrilla warfare whose achievements could rival the exploits of Lawrence of Arabia. Inevitably, his account of his experiences during the First World War, originally published shortly thereafter, make essential and riveting reading for all those interested in the subject. Available in softcover and hardcover with dustjacket.
For many the Great War means the Western Front, that gruelling, slogging stalemate of attrition that was the mud and blood of trench warfare. Yet this was truly a 'world war' fought between nations, many of whom were imperial powers with footholds, interests or colonies across the globe which were often in close proximity to those who were now their enemies. Conflicts took place on land, sea and in the air; the battlegrounds could be tropical jungle or bleached desert. For many of those interested in the war of 1914-18 these so called 'side-show' campaigns are, liberated from the standstill of the European theatre, of special interest. These were mobile wars where the talents of good commanders found the potential for expression and where often exotic terrain and colonial troops brought unique colour and singular events into being. Never was this more applicable than in East Africa where British and German territories lay 'cheek by jowl'. The men who fought these campaigns included Africans, both black and white, who knew the bush well and were equal to its challenges. The author of this book was one of the most remarkable commanders in the entire war not only in the East African Campaign, for he was never truly beaten in battle though quite often the odds were decidedly against him. This was a German with a genius for guerrilla warfare whose achievements could rival the exploits of Lawrence of Arabia. Inevitably, his account of his experiences during the First World War, originally published shortly thereafter, make essential and riveting reading for all those interested in the subject. Available in softcover and hardcover with dustjacket.
308 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1921
28 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
26 books10 followersPaul von Lettow-Vorbeck, (born March 20, 1870, Saarlouis, Rhine Province, Prussia [now in Germany]—died March 9, 1964, Hamburg), lieutenant colonel commanding Germany’s small African force during World War I, who became a determined and resourceful guerrilla leader hoping to influence the war in Europe by pinning down a disproportionately large number of Allied troops in his area.
Lettow-Vorbeck served on the expedition to put down the Herero and Hottentot rebellion (1904–07) in German South West Africa (now Namibia), during which he gained experience in bush fighting. Appointed military commander of German East Africa in 1914, he repelled a British landing at Tanga (Tanzania) in November of that year. For four years, with a force that never exceeded about 14,000 (3,000 Germans and 11,000 askaris, or native Africans), he held in check a much larger force (estimates range to more than 300,000) of British, Belgian, and Portuguese troops.
On his return to Germany in January 1919, Lettow-Vorbeck was welcomed as a hero. In July 1919 he led a corps of right-wing volunteers that occupied Hamburg to prevent its take-over by the left-wing Spartacists. He was a deputy to the Reichstag (parliament) from May 1929 to July 1930. Though a member of the right wing, he was not a Nazi and unsuccessfully tried to organize a conservative opposition to Hitler.
Lettow-Vorbeck served on the expedition to put down the Herero and Hottentot rebellion (1904–07) in German South West Africa (now Namibia), during which he gained experience in bush fighting. Appointed military commander of German East Africa in 1914, he repelled a British landing at Tanga (Tanzania) in November of that year. For four years, with a force that never exceeded about 14,000 (3,000 Germans and 11,000 askaris, or native Africans), he held in check a much larger force (estimates range to more than 300,000) of British, Belgian, and Portuguese troops.
On his return to Germany in January 1919, Lettow-Vorbeck was welcomed as a hero. In July 1919 he led a corps of right-wing volunteers that occupied Hamburg to prevent its take-over by the left-wing Spartacists. He was a deputy to the Reichstag (parliament) from May 1929 to July 1930. Though a member of the right wing, he was not a Nazi and unsuccessfully tried to organize a conservative opposition to Hitler.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 30, 2018
Solid, informing read by a real hero
November 26, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase
Von Lettow was a fine soldier and a brilliant commander and leader. His actions in East Africa in WWI are considered to be a masterpiece of unconventional warfare. Unfortunately he was not a brilliant writer. These reminiscences are a solid, competent, workman-like job which should be of interest to anyone interested in von Lettow-Vorbeck, WWI in Africa, the German colonial experience and unconventional war. If you are looking for information written in a more entertaining vein, try BATTLE FOR THE BUNDU by Charles Miller.
November 26, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase
Von Lettow was a fine soldier and a brilliant commander and leader. His actions in East Africa in WWI are considered to be a masterpiece of unconventional warfare. Unfortunately he was not a brilliant writer. These reminiscences are a solid, competent, workman-like job which should be of interest to anyone interested in von Lettow-Vorbeck, WWI in Africa, the German colonial experience and unconventional war. If you are looking for information written in a more entertaining vein, try BATTLE FOR THE BUNDU by Charles Miller.
November 30, 2018
Solid, informing read by a real hero
November 26, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Von Lettow was a fine soldier and a brilliant commander and leader. His actions in East Africa in WWI are considered to be a masterpiece of unconventional warfare. Unfortunately he was not a brilliant writer. These reminiscences are a solid, competent, workman-like job which should be of interest to anyone interested in von Lettow-Vorbeck, WWI in Africa, the German colonial experience and unconventional war. If you are looking for information written in a more entertaining vein, try BATTLE FOR THE BUNDU by Charles Miller.
This is the cover and correct page length for the Kindle Edition which I purchased.
November 26, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Von Lettow was a fine soldier and a brilliant commander and leader. His actions in East Africa in WWI are considered to be a masterpiece of unconventional warfare. Unfortunately he was not a brilliant writer. These reminiscences are a solid, competent, workman-like job which should be of interest to anyone interested in von Lettow-Vorbeck, WWI in Africa, the German colonial experience and unconventional war. If you are looking for information written in a more entertaining vein, try BATTLE FOR THE BUNDU by Charles Miller.
This is the cover and correct page length for the Kindle Edition which I purchased.
December 13, 2018
Often a bit repetitive whatwith casualty numbers on certain days and an enormous amount of colonial geography for which the average person will have no frame of reference, this was nonetheless extremely informative and at time even entertaining, and shows the brilliance of one the best military minds in history, whether Lettow-Vorbeck is remembered or not.
April 17, 2024
This book is a fantastic and, in my opinion, reliable account of the tactics and genius displayed by the German Protective Force against insurmountable odds during WW1. Valuable accounts of the benevolent treatment of prisoners, battle tactics employed in the dense African Bush, of the interaction and cooperations with the natives, of the character of the African conscripts in the German Force, of exceptional bravery exhibited during the war, etc. The character and spirit of Paul Lettow-Vorbeck is extremely admirable.
March 12, 2017
Imperial German Army General Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck was a brilliant strategist & well respected leader. With a relatively small force of around 14,000 men, he successfully held off a much larger and better equipped 300,000 man British/Belgian/Portuguese coalition army for 4 years from 1914 - 1918 during the East African campaign. Being cut off from Germany, his forces managed to survive and equip itself by raiding the enemy's supply depots. When obliged to lay down arms due to the armistice, this upright officer and gentleman was treated with the utmost respect by the British. When he and his men finally returned to Germany, they were given a well deserved victory parade in Berlin. It must've been a memorable sight to behold.
January 15, 2011
Unfortunately the map is so blurry in my reprint version.
December 15, 2014
This book is a fairly long read but it is rich in detail, so ultimately worth the effort.
December 5, 2023
Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck’s “My Reminiscences of East Africa” recounts the general’s service in the Imperial German Army as the commander of its forces in German East Africa. For four years, with a force of about 14,000, he stood off a force of 300,000 Allied troops. He is known for never being defeated or captured in battle.
Despite their lack of resources, the Lettow’s native Askari remained loyal, in awe of Lettow’s charisma, fluency in Swahili, and humane treatment of colonial soldiers. He promoted soldiers without respect to nationality, and considered all men equal regardless of the color of their skin.
Lettow-Vorbeck is often criticized for plundering the regions occupied by his forces, but his policies have been studied by guerilla leaders for the past century.
After capturing the town of Kasama, in Rhodesia, Lettow-Vorbeck was informed of the armistice; he agreed to a ceasefire, and marched his troops north before eventually arriving back in Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika. At the time, his force consisted of 155 Germans, 1,168 Askaris, and 3,500 porters.
In 1964,von Lettow passed away at the age of 93. While the German cause lacked legitimacy, the Lion of Africa’s accomplishments forever cemented his place in military history.
Despite their lack of resources, the Lettow’s native Askari remained loyal, in awe of Lettow’s charisma, fluency in Swahili, and humane treatment of colonial soldiers. He promoted soldiers without respect to nationality, and considered all men equal regardless of the color of their skin.
Lettow-Vorbeck is often criticized for plundering the regions occupied by his forces, but his policies have been studied by guerilla leaders for the past century.
After capturing the town of Kasama, in Rhodesia, Lettow-Vorbeck was informed of the armistice; he agreed to a ceasefire, and marched his troops north before eventually arriving back in Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika. At the time, his force consisted of 155 Germans, 1,168 Askaris, and 3,500 porters.
In 1964,von Lettow passed away at the age of 93. While the German cause lacked legitimacy, the Lion of Africa’s accomplishments forever cemented his place in military history.
February 3, 2024
While a very interesting read of a little known theatre of the Great War, Vorbeck wrote his memoirs as a "this happened, and then that" that does a terrible disservice to his force of warriors, as it turns their adventurous undertaking of heroic proportions and turns it into a dry recounting of troop movements and numbers. More insight into camp life, daily routines and more on his personal daily thoughts would have made this book so much more informative. As it is, this is what we have, and I still recommend it for anyone interested in learning about the first world war.
August 17, 2019
Great general, master of his craft. The book though is tough going at times, a bit repetitive.
November 15, 2022
Great book, the e-book version can be found at:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/add-...
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/add-...
April 7, 2023
Interesting perspective on a fascinating area of the First World War, although very technical and not the lightest read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews