Narratives of the Great War in Africa

Two brilliant first hand accounts from the First World War in AfricaThe First World War in Africa has always been a subject of fascination for military historians. It involved regular British and German forces, unique and special corps on both sides, irregular units raised from colonials, Askaris and famous regiments such as the K. A. R. It drew adventurers from all over the world to action including men like F. C Selous and the outstanding German commander von Lettow (both of whom appear in these pages). It was fought in parched deserts and in bush terrain alive with dangerous wildlife. This ’two-in-one’ Leonaur special edition will need little explanation to persuade aficionados of this subject that a real treat awaits them. The first account was written by a doctor of the Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance attached to the 3rd Mounted Brigade as part of Botha’s German South-West African campaign. This was a mobile ’hit and run’ war involving mounted riflemen, burghers of the commandos and, on the German side, the remarkable Camel Corps among others. The second narrative bears an unusual title. It refers to an actual lion hunt (which almost costs the author his life) but also to the German ’lions’ of von Lettow’s force. The action moves from German South West Africa, through the Okavango to East Africa where the author was employed as a scout, a free ranging intelligence officer waging a guerrilla war in the bush and as a member of the East African Mounted Rifles. This is a story of astonishing adventure and a must read. Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.