Caption: The Königsberg at Dar es Salaam (courtesy: Bundesarchiv)
About the talk: This talk explores some of the firsts and records the Royal Navy experienced – the first naval battle (Lake Nyasa), the first merchant ship sinking with the longest naval battle of the war (Königsberg), the first naval bombings (Dar es Salaam), the most bizarre expedition (Lake Tanganyika) and its links with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn (The African Queen). We'll also look at the complex logistics: how the Allied forces were moved and kept watered, fed and armed in difficult terrain while simultaneously preventing enemy ships from supporting their own forces. In this Lake Victoria Nyanza, Duala, Sierra Leone, Swakopmund and Cape Town amongst others also played their part.
About the speaker: Anne is an historian of war with particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa during the Great War and on Lord Kitchener. She has been researching the African theatres, mainly East, Central and Southern Africa, for over 20 years and co-ordinates the Great War in Africa Association (www.gweaa.com). She has published Britain, South Africa and the East Africa Campaign 1914-1918, East Africa by Motor Lorry: Recollections of an ex-motor transport driver, and Kitchener: The man not the myth among others. She was a member of the 2020-21 CWGC Enquiry into the Uncommemorated.
This online talk: opens at 19:20 for a 19:30 start, ending at about 20:35. Participating is quick and easy. The only equipment you need is a computer, or a tablet, or a smart phone. Simply email wfa.nwkent@gmail.com for your link and the passcode. We'll also automatically add you to the mailing list to keep you updated with future events. You can unsubscribe at any time.