South West Africa campaign

Quick Facts: Who was South West Africa campaign?

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South West Africa campaign

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Military campaign conquering German South West Africa during WWI by Union of South Africa.

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Origins & Early Life

The South West Africa campaign was the conquest and occupation of German South West Africa by forces from the Union of South Africa acting on behalf of the British imperial government at the beginning of the First World War. The South African Prime Minister Louis Botha took the unusual move of leading his troops into battle as commander-in-chief, to the frustration of his cabinet. The outbreak of hostilities in Europe in August 1914 had been anticipated and government officials of South Africa were aware of the significance of their common border with the German colony. Prime Minister Louis Botha informed London that South Africa could defend itself and that the Imperial Garrison might depart for France; when the British government asked Botha whether his forces would invade German South West Africa, the reply was yes. South African troops were mobilised along the border between the two countries under the command of General Henry Lukin and Lieutenant-Colonel Manie Maritz early in September 1914.

Career & Major Achievements

Shortly afterwards another force occupied the port of Lüderitz. The news about the start of the First World War reached German South West Africa on 2 August 1914 via radio-telegraphy. The information was transmitted from the Nauen station via a relay station in Kamina and Lomé in Togo to the radio station in Windhoek. There was considerable sympathy among the Boer population of South Africa for the German cause. Only twelve years had passed since the end of the Second Boer War, in which Germany had offered the two Boer republics unofficial support in their war with the British Empire.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Lieutenant-Colonel Manie Maritz, heading commando forces on the border of German South West Africa, declared that The former South African Republic and Orange Free State, as well as the Cape Province and Natal, are proclaimed free from British control and independent, and every [all] White inhabitant[s] of the mentioned areas, of whatever nationality, are hereby called upon to take their weapons in their hands and realise the long-cherished ideal of a Free and Independent South Africa. Maritz and several other high-ranking officers rapidly gathered forces with a total of about 12,000 rebels in the Transvaal and Orange Free State, ready to fight for the cause in what became known as the Maritz rebellion. The government declared martial law on 14 October 1914 and forces loyal to the government under the command of generals Louis Botha and Jan Smuts proceeded to destroy the rebellion. Maritz was defeated on 24 October and took refuge with the Germans; the rebellion was suppressed by early February 1915. The leading Boer rebels received terms of imprisonment of six and seven years and heavy fines; two years later they were released from prison, as Botha recognised the value of reconciliation.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1914: 1914 Milestone — The outbreak of hostilities in Europe in August 1914 had been anticipated and government officials of South Africa were aware of the significance of their common border with the German colony.
2. 1915: 1915 Milestone — Maritz was defeated on 24 October and took refuge with the Germans; the rebellion was suppressed by early February 1915.

Notable Quotes by South West Africa campaign

“If we had 15,000 men then you wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be in this position.” (1915)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: South West Africa campaign

True or False: “The South West Africa campaign was solely a British imperial endeavor with no direct involvement from the Union of South Africa.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While acting on behalf of the British government, the campaign was directly led by forces from the Union of South Africa, notably under Prime Minister Louis Botha.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul-Karim Qasim — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): Iraqi military officer who led the country as Prime Minister from 1958 to 1963.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Born in 1915) (1915): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Born in 1915) (1915): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.

Frequently Asked Questions about South West Africa campaign