The Forgotten Front: The East African Campaign 1914-1918

by Ross Anderson

The First World War began in East Africa in July 1914 and did not end until November 13, 1918. In its scale and impact, it was the largest conflict yet to take place on African soil. Four empires and their subject peoples were engaged in a conflict that ranged from modern Kenya in the north to Mozambique in the south, leaving hunger and devastation in its trail. Yet the East African campaign has languished in undeserved obscurity over the years, with many people only vaguely aware of its course of events. Africans bore the brunt of the fighting and few escaped the impact of the war.

Genres: Africa, World War I, Military History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Chris Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

As some have said, a little dry at times, but I'm one who is a sucker for the more obscure theatres of war during the (oxymoronic) "Great War"

Fairly thorough and in-depth if you can push through it

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lifeless reading, dry and tedious. It reads like a set of military orders, very little insight into the soldiers, the commanders, the local peoples, the stories of the support troops (hospitals, rail builders, suppliers, etc...) Maybe this information wasn't available, but then the rest doesn't make for good reading. The book is essentially written as if the author was looking at a map. Too much emphasis on troop movements.

The ending livens up a little, he starts to discuss the tactics used by Lettow and the reason for them: seeking resupply of food and munitions, and also the more strategic approach of van Deventer in trying to anticipate Lettow and limit his options.

I did like the emphasis on the impact of weather, disease (Tsetse fly on stock and malaria on troops) and impassibility of roads and rivers.

The East African campaign was a great subject, but this book takes the life out of it.