Kamerun campaign

Quick Facts: Who was Kamerun campaign?

Subject:

Kamerun campaign

Known for:

The Allied invasion of the German colony of Kamerun during WWI (1914–1916).

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Kamerun campaign took place in the German colony of Kamerun in the African theatre of the First World War when the British, French and Belgians invaded the German colony from August 1914 to March 1916. Most of the campaign took place in Kamerun but skirmishes also broke out in British Nigeria. By the Spring of 1916, following Allied victories, the majority of German troops and the civil administration fled to the neighbouring neutral colony of Spanish Guinea (Río Muni). The campaign ended in a defeat for Germany and the partition of its former colony between France and Britain. Germany had established a protectorate over Kamerun by 1884 during the Scramble for Africa, and expanded its control in the Bafut Wars and Adamawa Wars.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1911, France ceded Neukamerun (New Cameroon), a large territory to the east of Kamerun, to Germany as a part of the Treaty of Fez, the settlement that ended the Agadir Crisis. In 1914, the German colony of Kamerun made up all of modern Cameroon as well as portions of Nigeria, Chad, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. Kamerun was surrounded on all sides by Entente territory. British-held Nigeria was to the north-west. The Belgian Congo bordered the colony to the south-east and French Equatorial Africa lay in the east.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The neutral colony of Spanish Guinea was bordered by German Kamerun on all sides but one, which faced the sea. In 1914, on the eve of World War I, Kamerun remained largely unexplored and unmapped by European invaders. In 1911–1912 the border with the French colonies of Gabon, Middle Congo, Ubangi-Shari and Chad was established and in 1913 the border between the colonies of Nigeria and Kamerun was defined. The German military forces stationed in the colony at the time consisted of around 1,855 Schutztruppen (protection troops). However, after the outbreak of war by mid-1915, the Germans were able to recruit an army of around 6,000.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1884: 1884 Milestone — Germany had established a protectorate over Kamerun by 1884 during the Scramble for Africa, and expanded its control in the Bafut Wars and Adamawa Wars.
2. 1911: 1911 Milestone — In 1911, France ceded Neukamerun (New Cameroon), a large territory to the east of Kamerun, to Germany as a part of the Treaty of Fez, the settlement that ended the Agadir Crisis.
3. 1914: 1914 Milestone — The Kamerun campaign took place in the German colony of Kamerun in the African theatre of the First World War when the British, French and Belgians invaded the German colony from August 1914 to March 1916.
4. 1915: 1915 Milestone — However, after the outbreak of war by mid-1915, the Germans were able to recruit an army of around 6,000.
5. 1916: 1916 Milestone — By the Spring of 1916, following Allied victories, the majority of German troops and the civil administration fled to the neighbouring neutral colony of Spanish Guinea (Río Muni).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kamerun campaign

True or False: “The entire German colonial administration in Kamerun was captured by the Allies before 1915.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): By mid-1915, while much of the colony fell to the Allies, significant German forces managed to withdraw and hold out in mountainous strongholds like Mora and Garua.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Kamerun campaign