Battle of Tanga
Tanga, Tanga Region, Tanzania (then German East Africa)
What happened
A British Indian army under Major General Arthur Aitken fought German colonial troops, mostly African askari soldiers, under Lieutenant Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. Early in the First World War, British and Indian troops landed near the port of Tanga to capture German East Africa. Their attack stalled, and swarms of angry bees attacked soldiers on both sides. The much smaller German force counter-attacked, and the British withdrew to their ships.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first major battle of the East African campaign, and the British official history called it one of the most notable failures in British military history. The weapons and supplies the Germans captured helped them keep fighting for the rest of the war.
What came next
Lettow-Vorbeck fought on in East Africa for four years and surrendered only after the war in Europe had ended, on 25 November 1918.
Did you know?
Because of the swarms of bees, the battle is also called the 'Battle of the Bees'.
Timeline
- 2-3 November 1914British and Indian troops land near Tanga.
- 4-5 November 1914The British attack fails and they withdraw.
- 19 January 1915The Germans win again at Jassin.
- 25 November 1918Lettow-Vorbeck surrenders at Abercorn.