🔥 1918 Campaigns: The Final Push and Surrender of the Germans

By 1916, troops from Northern and Southern Rhodesia (modern-day Zambia and Zimbabwe) joined Allied forces in launching coordinated invasions into German East Africa (GEA) from all directions—British East Africa (now Kenya), Uganda, and the Belgian Congo.

Meanwhile, deep in Portuguese East Africa (now Mozambique), General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, commander of the German Schutztruppe, kept his forces alive by raiding Portuguese posts for weapons and supplies, trading cloth for food from local villagers.

🪖 Action at Fusi: A Day of Bravery

On 28 September 1918, von Lettow's troops left Mozambique and re-entered German East Africa. They marched north along the eastern side of Lake Nyasa, skirting the border with Northern Rhodesia. British forces, including Ugandan battalions of the King's African Rifles (KAR) and Northern Rhodesia Police (NRP) units, pursued them in hopes of cutting off their escape.

The NRP finally intercepted the Germans on 4 October 1918 at Fusi, just 15 miles west of Songea. Positioned strategically, the NRP blocked the German advance and held their ground in a full day of fierce fighting. Eventually, von Lettow's forces outflanked the defenders, but not before the NRP displayed exceptional bravery.

• Sergeant Chichasi (No. 229) earned the Imperial Distinguished Conduct Medal for leading his section under intense machine-gun and rifle fire, helping to break the German assault.

• Colour Sergeant Yasi (No. 451) received a Military Medal for courageously delivering orders across the battlefield while under fire.

• Private Kunenga (No. 421) was also awarded a Military Medal for carrying ammunition under dangerous conditions.

• Acting Sergeant J. Khor, of the British South Africa Police (BSAP), attached to the NRP, was similarly decorated for gallantry.

Sadly, the battle came at a cost. Privates Siyeya (No. 1699) and Mwansabamba (No. S/33) were killed in action at Fusi.

⚔️ Action at Fife (1–2 November 1918)

As the war neared its end, British forces anticipated that their supply base at Fife (Nakonde) would draw German attention. In response, two Northern Rhodesia Police (NRP) companies were dispatched to defend the area, arriving on 31 October and 1 November.

Sure enough, on the afternoon of 1 November, General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and a force of 1,200 Askari from the Schutztruppe launched an attack. Though vastly outnumbered, the NRP fought valiantly. In a dramatic moment, bursts of machine-gun fire came so close to von Lettow that it was said the bullets "almost parted his hair."

A captured Portuguese trench mortar was turned against the NRP—but malfunctioned disastrously. The second round exploded inside the barrel, destroying the weapon.

Once again, von Lettow outflanked the defenders, advancing deeper into Northern Rhodesia via Mwenzo Mission, driving 400 head of cattle with him.

Among the many acts of gallantry, Colour Sergeant Tegete (No. 640) earned a second Distinguished Conduct Medal, with a citation that praised his outstanding composure and leadership under fire at both Fusi and Fife.

"He showed complete disregard of danger by walking up and down the line giving his men targets and controlling their fire."

Reinforcements soon arrived in the form of the 1st Battalion of the 4th King's African Rifles (KAR) from Uganda. On 4 November, they and the NRP set off in pursuit of the retreating Germans.

🔥 The Skirmish at Tumba (6 November 1918)

By 6 November, KAR troops under Lieutenant Colonel E. B. B. Hawkins caught up with von Lettow's rearguard near Tumba. The attack, however, was delayed by a wide dambo (marshy valley), allowing the Germans to break contact and continue southward.

• German casualties: 1 European, 11 Askari

• British casualties: 2 Askari killed, 1 officer severely wounded, 25 Askari wounded

The NRP provided support throughout the engagement, and on 7 November, they led the advance to Kayambe Mission, where two men were wounded by enemy fire.

⚔️ The Charge at Malima (12 November 1918)

Even as the Armistice had been signed in Europe the day before, fighting continued in Africa. On 12 November, Colonel Hawkins launched a bold frontal charge across 600 yards with eight platoons, including NRP in the front line.

The assault surprised the Germans on the south bank of the Malima River, scattering three enemy companies. However, the north bank, bristling with German maxim machine guns, inflicted serious casualties as the Schutztruppe withdrew in good order toward Kasama.

• Allied losses: 8 Askari killed, 14 wounded

• German losses: Unknown (2 bodies recovered)

🚩 The Germans in Kasama (9–13 November 1918)

On 9 November 1918, Captain Walter Spangenburg's German advance guard reached Kasama. British accounts say the town was abandoned without a fight, thanks to the swift actions of Hector Croad, a senior British official, and his team of porters and civil servants, who evacuated troops and supplies south.

However, other reports suggest the capture of Kasama involved a brief battle, possibly including the capture of British troops, who were allegedly detained in the old prison in what is now Mbala.

Von Lettow soon arrived with the main body of the Schutztruppe, pressing onward until he would later meet Croad at Chambeshi, where news of the Armistice was finally confirmed—ending one of the last active campaigns of World War I.