Frontline
The final act of the ‘Scramble for Africa’ is played out as Europe’s bloody conflict spreads across the continent
TOGOLAND CAMPAIGN03
The Great War comes to West Africa with the Togoland Campaign. Forces from neighbouring British and French colonies converge on Kamina, drawing German troops out of the coastal capital Lomé. German engagements merely delay the unstoppable Allied advance, and they surrender Togoland by the end of August.
BERLIN CONFERENCE SECURES NEUTRALITY
Aware of the fragility of their control in Africa, and terrified that instability could open a window of opportunity for rebellion, colonial leaders agree that the colonies would remain neutral in the event of a European war.
ZAIAN WAR01
Colonial leaders’ concerns about European war are justified when the Berber tribes resist French expansion into the Atlas Mountains. While the French see early successes, they struggle once war in Europe breaks out. After sending infantry, cavalry and artillery to the Western Front, colonial French forces do regain full control until pacification in 1934.
ALLIED LANDING AT DOUALA05
A British naval bombardment of the port Douala is the beginning of the end for Germany’s occupation of Kamerun. The subsequent landing is without resistance, and a multitude of devastating naval operations allows for Allied domination of most of the Kamerun coast.
KAMERUN CAMPAIGN BEGINS02
The neutrality agreement lasts just a week before the French and British high command orders their colonial forces to begin attacking German colonies. The first shot between colonial powers is fired during the joint invasion of German Kamerun (now Cameroon) by the empires of Britain, France and Belgium.
BATTLE OF TANGA06
Britain’s attempt to capture German East Africa begins with an attack on Tanga port. Despite the British Indian Expeditionary Force outnumbering the Germans nine to one, they are forced into a disorganised retreat. The modern equipment left behind, including Maxim guns, supplies the defence of German East Africa.
