Battle of Kondoa Irangi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Kondoa Irangi |
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| Part of the East African Campaign (World War I) | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck |
 Jacob van Deventer |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 4,000 6 field guns |
3,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 5 killed 15 captured |
60 killed 180 wounded |
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The Battle of Kondoa Irangi was an important fight during World War I in East Africa. It happened in May 1916. This battle was between German forces and Allied troops from the British Empire, including soldiers from South Africa.
Why the Battle Happened
After winning battles at Latema Nek and Kahe, the Allied forces kept moving south. These Allied troops were led by General Jan Smuts. By April 17, 1916, General Van Deventer's 2nd Division reached a town called Kondoa Irangi. Here, they met a German army unit.
The 2nd Division managed to push the Germans back. They captured the town on April 19. The Allied forces had very few losses. About 20 German-led African soldiers (called Askari) and 4 Germans were killed. Also, 30 Askaris were captured. The Allies found 80 modern rifles and a large group of cattle.
Even with low losses, Van Deventer told his commanders his division was very tired. They could not keep moving forward for a while. During their journey from Moshi, the division lost over 2,000 horses. Most of these horses died because of the Tsetse fly. General Smuts then told Van Deventer to stay in Kondoa Irangi. More soldiers were sent to help them.
During this time, the rainy season began. This caused huge problems for the Allied army. Rivers swelled and washed away railway bridges. Roads became impossible to use. The 2nd Division was completely cut off from supplies. They had to find food and other items around Kondoa. This made the soldiers less healthy and lowered their spirits.
The German Attack Begins
While Van Deventer's troops were stuck in Kondoa, the German commander, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, used this time. He quickly brought more soldiers to the area around the town. By early May, about 4,000 German troops were there. Van Deventer's 2nd Division had become weaker due to illness and lack of food. They now had only 3,000 men in Kondoa Irangi.
The German attack started on May 7. Lettow-Vorbeck's soldiers advanced to within 6 miles of Kondoa. Van Deventer pulled his soldiers back from their outer positions. He got ready to defend the center of the town.
On May 9, the German attack began again. It started with an assault on the south-east side of the town at 7:30 pm. Four separate waves of German soldiers attacked. But all of them were pushed back by the 12th South African Regiment. In some places, the Germans reached the trenches. However, they were forced back by machine gun fire. The attack stopped in the early hours of May 10. The Germans had failed to push Van Deventer out of the town.
The South Africans later had to leave the town because of strong German pressure. They only re-entered the town after the Germans had already left.
What Happened Next
After the battle, Lettow-Vorbeck stayed in positions around Kondoa for two months. He kept launching small attacks on Van Deventer's supply lines. He also shelled the South Africans with artillery. This included two large guns taken from the German ship SMS Königsberg.
Van Deventer could not try to advance. He did not have enough horses, and his whole division was very tired. General Smuts sent three more South African Regiments to help secure the area. These soldiers arrived on May 23. However, they were too late to save the original positions and the town. Even so, their larger numbers forced von Lettow-Vorbeck to leave.
