Battle of Ngaundere facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Ngaundere
Part of the Kamerun campaign in World War I
Date 29 June 1915 Location Ngaoundéré, Kamerun Result Allied victory
Belligerents
British Empire British Nigeria	German Empire German Kamerun
Commanders and leaders
Brigadier General Frederick Hugh Cunliffe Lieutenant Colonel Webb-Bowen Captain Fowle	Unknown
Strength
200
Casualties and losses
Light

The Battle of Ngaundere was a small but important fight. It happened on June 29, 1915, during World War I. British forces fought against German forces in a place called Kamerun (which is now Cameroon). The battle ended with the British winning and taking control of the town of Ngaundere.

Why the Battle Happened

After a big win at the Second Battle of Garua, General Cunliffe felt confident. He was in charge of the British and French forces. He wanted to push deeper into the German colony of Kamerun.

So, he sent a group of his soldiers. This group was led by Lieutenant Colonel Webb-Bowen. They marched about 150 miles southeast. Their goal was to reach the town of Ngaundere. This town was important because it was on a main road. This road led from the north of Kamerun to the central part of the colony. The German capital and most of their soldiers were located there.

The Fight at Ngaundere

On June 29, 1915, a small group of British soldiers arrived at Ngaundere. This group was led by Captain Fowle. They had just marched through a very bad storm. The storm even caused a tornado.

When the main group of British soldiers arrived, the storm was still there. This bad weather helped the British. They were able to surprise many German soldiers. The British captured them before any fighting started. However, at some German outposts, there was fighting. The British had only a few injuries. After the Germans were pushed out of Ngaundere, they tried to fight back. But the British stopped their attack.

What Happened Next

After the Germans were driven out of Ngaundere, they didn't have much power left in northern Kamerun. This meant General Cunliffe's soldiers could move more easily. They could go further south into the middle of the colony.

The British chased the German soldiers who had left Ngaundere. The Germans went to a place called Tangere. The British took Tangere without a fight on July 12. The Germans tried to get it back on July 23, but they failed. The German forces then left again, heading towards Tibati.

However, General Cunliffe's advance stopped for a while. There were heavy rains, and the Germans still had a strong base at Mora. So, Cunliffe did not continue his march south until October. His soldiers arrived on August 23 to help with the Siege of Mora. This siege lasted until the very end of the Kamerun campaign.