A WAR MEMORY

Evening Star, Issue 23326, 24 July 1939, Page 11

A WAR MEMORY

NAVAL EXPLOIT IN TROPICS The Limit War with the German empire extended to the farthermost ends of the earth, writes Admiral (fordon Campbell, S r .C., D.S.G., in the ‘ Sunday Chronicle.’ in the heart of Africa Lake Tanganyika. For many years German ships had sailed on this inland sea unmolested. , t The Germans used it lor transporting supplies to their lorces in German East Africa, and the Gorman naval ensign flew on the ships of the German navy there, which consisted of tho gunboat Gingani and three or four other armed vessels. The British Navy was uon-existeut there, and as there were no facilities ill British hands for shipbuilding, it looked as if the German navy must remain supreme in that locality. But imagination won the day, and it was decided to send the IJntisu Navy there—overland I Luckily, too, there were those ready to undertake the impossible—the old spirit of adventure was still alive. Lieutenant-commander A. Simson was selected to command the expedition, which consisted of two motor launches and a force of tS white men. His ships were each of lour and a-half tons, dOft. in length, and with 7ft beam. Their full speed was designed for 15 knots, and their anna- - meat one three-pounder gun and the usual supply of small They were specially built in Britain and named Mimi and Hontou. Early in 1915 they left Tilbury on their 20,000-mile journey. On their arrival at Cape lowa, the Mimi and Toutou wore unceremoniously hoisted out of the steanitr and placed on railway trucks. The ileet left Cape Town on July 19 for tljo railhead at Elizabethvillc — a journey of some 2,300 miles. At Elizabethville, the advance guard was met, and the whole party entrained for the railhead at I nugurunic. Here a camp was made, and the serious part of this great adventure started. The navy had to be taken to isankisia, 150 miles distant, through the thickest known—or one might almost sav unknown —bush and over a mountain range 6,000 ft above sea level. There were certain small forest tracks to guide the party, and a route, had been mapped out by the advance guard. The Mimi and Toutou wore mounted in specially-constructed cradles and carriages with big wheels; two traction engines were used to tow them. Bv dint of great endeavour they trekked overland through the tropical jungle 150 miles. Steaming and towing they traversed a further 400 miles till they reached another railhead at Kabalo toward the end of October. Once more tho fleet was put on n train for the last lap of their journey to Tanganyika, about five miles from the lake. . On Christmas Eve, after their five months’ voyage by rail, road, and sen. the fleet was launched, cleaned up, and the guns and ammunition got ready for action. Christmas Day was a well-earned holiday, but on Boxing Day, at 11.-10 a.m., the German navy, in the shape of His Imperial Majesty’s ship Kingani, a monster of 63 tons, was sunk in action. On February 9, 1916, a second action took place. The German ship Tedwig von Wiessman, of about 150 tons and 70ft Jong, was sighted early iu the morning, and chased by the Mimi and Toutou. She was sunk also. Simson’s work was done, the impossible had been achieved, the lake was clear of the enemy,' and another page of adventure and endurance, combined with two successful naval actions, had been added to our history.