IN EAST AFRICA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17217, 21 January 1918, Page 7

IN EAST AFRICA

FINAL STAGES OF CAMPAIGN.

TENACIOUS GERMAN GENERAL.

General van Devon tor's forces in East Africa have reaped a noli harvest of captures from tho enemy, wrote tho correspondent of a South Atricaii newspaper on November 26. Early in tho month a lortnight's toll was' 436 Europeans and bbl Askaris killed and captured, besides 14 guns, including tho hist two 4in guns landed from the old Konigsborg, whicn have boon of uuoh great service to the enemy, ltacre havo Irnen many rearguard actions—von Lettow's favourite occupation. Tho British forces havo been pursuing tho .Germans acro.se tho Makondo Plateau during tho last few days. This plateau is some 20 miles from tho Portuguese bowler. A feature of the fighting in this difficult, heavily wooded miasinal country has been tho splendid work done by our native African troops—the Ritles, tho (Jape Corps, and tho JNigerian Brigade -all Ic3 by white officers. Everyone speaks in glowing terms of tho Nigerian troops who have on many occasions saved uk. situation for their European comrades and brothers in black. Since November 1. 798 German Europeans have been killed and captured, and a much larger number of their eablp Askari troops; and all tho British, Belgian, and prisoners of war have been released, lire enemy has abandoned his last 4.1 iwW howitzer, which has been found intact, a«d has surrendered his hospital staff all over the country. All this can havo but one meaning—that this mast trying series o military operations is all but finished, btill much of this gratifying success is attributed rather to our surprise flanking movements than to enemy .collapse. , It is significant that the Portuguese troops are venturing to leave their border boundary, and aro approaching Newalu from iSf south. The forces of "our ancient ally" are at present separated from tho British at Makondo only by the small Hoonland Plateau. ~ A portion of the enemy forces in the centre of tho southern part of the territory is being engaged by tho British and Belgian troops, and havo been driven away from tho Mahenge area. Tho operations have been prolonged tor so long a time, after often being seemingly near a finish, that ono is apt to inquire the reason why. First and foremost ot tho reasons has been tho unwavering constancy and intrepidity of the German general, von Lettow Vorbeck. Small in stature, of frail physique, often ailing, but with an sense of duty, no is said to possess a dominating personality, and his personal bravery and iron discipline have made him famous. Tho British seldom fail to admire tho strong points of an enemy, and our people havo iiotlims but real respect and admiration for a valiant foo. Troublesome ho has been, but ho has not boon truculent or treacherous.

If the statements of German prisoners are to bo relied upon, the German troops, white and black, are sick and tired of tho campaign, and what are left of them would throw \ip the sponge at onco were von Lettow to be killed or captured. It is wonderful where they get their arms and ammunition from, as they seem to have plent As many as 12 Maxims were recently counted within a space of a hundred yards. Them is much satisfaction at the last of tho Konigsberg'fl puns being captured, as they quite outranged ours, and caused many casualties.