The Kaiser's Last General: The East Africa Campaign and the Hunt for Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, 1914-1918

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck planned to divert British troops from Europe to East Africa at the outbreak of World War I, leading a small force on raids into British territory. He was a gifted tactician who attacked only when odds were in his favor and fought defensive withdrawals into the German Colony, leading the only undefeated German force to surrender to the Allies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

At the outbreak of World War I, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck, the military commander of Germany's East African Colony, devised a strategic plan to divert British troops from Europe to East Africa. Recognizing that a direct confrontation with the British forces was unlikely to result in a victory, von Lettow-Vorbeck led a small but highly skilled and experienced force of approximately 15,000 men. These men were well-versed in bush-fighting and accustomed to the harsh conditions of the African terrain. Instead of engaging in pitched battles, von Lettow-Vorbeck opted for a series of daring raids into British territory. A skilled tactician, he carefully calculated the odds before launching each attack and then executed defensive withdrawals into the German Colony, maintaining short lines of supply while drawing the enemy deeper into hostile territory.

The British and their allies in East Africa committed a substantial force of 160,000 troops to counter this threat. However, von Lettow-Vorbeck played a game of cat-and-mouse with them, punishing them for every mistake they made. His strategic brilliance and unwavering determination led to the defeat of the British forces in East Africa. Promoted to major-general by the Kaiser in 1917, von Lettow-Vorbeck commanded the only undefeated German force to surrender to the Allies, well after the end of hostilities in Europe.

This remarkable history follows the initial campaign of conquest that transformed into a relentless pursuit of a single general and his small, loyal command. Von Lettow-Vorbeck's strategic prowess and unwavering loyalty to his men made him a formidable opponent, and his legacy as a military commander continues to be celebrated to this day.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476685991