⚔️ The Battle of Saisi: Holding the Line in Northern Rhodesia

When World War I erupted in 1914, the newly formed Northern Rhodesia Police (NRP) had little time to reorganize before being thrust into battle. With German East Africa (now Tanzania) just across the northern border, war came quickly to what is now Zambia.

On 6 December 1914, German troops launched a surprise attack on the British fort at Fife (modern-day Nakonde), bringing 250 men, a 3-pounder field gun, and machine guns. They bombarded the fort with 80 shells, killing Private Ndarama of the NRP before retreating.

Three weeks later, another German attack forced British troops to fall back over 150 km to Abercorn (now Mbala), where they constructed a defensive outpost at Saisi—a location the Germans called Jericho Farm.

Then, on 28 June 1915, the Germans struck again.

Two elite German units—the 24th and 29th Field Companies—surrounded and attacked Saisi using artillery and machine gun fire. In the intense fighting, three NRP Askari—Private Buleya (559), Msapenda (1184), and Mulundi (842)—lost their lives defending the post.

Despite the siege, the British forces held firm. After more than a month of skirmishes, the Germans, having exhausted their supplies, broke the siege and withdrew on 3 August 1915.