Three years of war in East Africa

A firsthand soldier’s account traces the experiences of a British column campaigning across East Africa, describing frontier and railway duties, small-unit patrols, assaults on enemy positions, long marches through varied terrain, and desperate defensive holds during the rains. It records the physical toll of fever, privation, and climate on European troops and the sharp rise in casualties during late operations. Interwoven with tactical narrative are reflections on why German forces sustained resistance longer than expected, attributing it to effective leadership, the quality and organization of native troops, greater unity of command, and logistical and equipment disparities that shaped the course of the campaign.