The Forgotten Front: The East African Campaign 1914-1918 (Revealing History) [Hardcover]

Ross Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Revealing History | Publication Date: January 1, 2004

The First World War began in East Africa in July 1914 and did not end until November 13, 1918. In its scale and impact, it was the largest conflict yet to take place on African soil. Four empires and their subject peoples were engaged in a conflict that ranged from modern Kenya in the north to Mozambique in the south, leaving hunger and devastation in its trail. Yet the East African campaign has languished in undeserved obscurity over the years, with many people only vaguely aware of its course of events. Africans bore the brunt of the fighting and few escaped the impact of the war.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Original hardback edition published in 2004 was widely reviewed and received critical acclaim: 'A major contribution... essential' THE JOURNAL OF MILITARY HISTORY; 'Excellent... a very significant contribution fills a yawning gap in the historical record' TLS; 'A compelling and authoritative account of this neglected campaign and the first based on based on archival sources. It cuts the commanders of both sides, Smuts and Lettow-Vorbeck, down to size' HEW STRACHAN; 'An authoritative account' SOLDIER: THE MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH ARMY. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

The First World War began in East Africa in July 1914 and did not end until 13 November 1918. In its scale and impact, it was the largest conflict yet to take place on African soil. Four empires and their subject peoples were engaged in a conflict that ranged from modern Kenya in the north to Mozambique in the south, leaving hunger and devastation in its trail. Yet the East African campaign has languished in undeserved obscurity over the years, with many people only vaguely aware of its course of events. Africans bore the brunt of the fighting and few escaped the impact of the war.

Part of the Battles & Campaigns series, edited by Hew Strachan, Chichele Professor of the History of War at the University of Oxford.

Ross Anderson spent 30 years in the British and Canadian Armies, 16 years as a Major. His other books include The Battle of Tanga 1914, also published by Tempus.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Tempus; First edition (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752423444
• ISBN-13: 978-0752423449
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #739,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Forgotten Front, July 28, 2004

By 

Dick C Ulam Jr. "Clark Ulam" (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Forgotten Front: The East African Campaign 1914-1918 (Revealing History) (Hardcover)

I had high hopes for this book. However, after reading it I found that there was very little new information added to the subject matter and most was from the British point of view. There are already numerous other books which covers World War One in German East Africa and they are more entertaining. I came away from the book with the question if the Gen. Lettow Vorbeck and the schutztruppe were never victorious, then why did it take the Allies four years to defeat them? Anderson's first book on the Battle of Tanga was more informative and added new information which was missing from the other sources. However, in closing the book is well researched and documented and a new reader of the subject would well be advised to have it in their library.

3.0 out of 5 stars More About how the British totally Won the War, November 15, 2011

By 

Frederick J.Meccia (Valparaiso; Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Forgotten Front: The East African Campaign 1914-1918 (Revealing History) (Hardcover)

Overall a very good book. But keep in mind this is pretty
much heavy on the British view of things. I was disappointed
because we now know more about what had gone on in Africa during
the Great War. The Germans were successful in spite of being virtually cut
off of their logistical supply lines. They had inspiring leadership and colonials
who supported them unlike the English. If you are new to the subject area I would
buy the book but seek out other sources for a more balanced view. Gen. Von Vorbeck
was not defeated he only stopped fighting when news of the armistice came to him.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first full-length history of this campaign, October 12, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Forgotten Front: The East African Campaign 1914-1918 (Revealing History) (Hardcover)

The first world war began in East Africa in 1914 and didn't end until 1918: its impact would change a world, and was the largest of its times on African soil - yet the East African campaign would remain largely under-stated and nearly forgotten were it not for Ross Anderson's in-depth study THE FORGOTTEN FRONT. Surprisingly, THE FORGOTTEN FRONT is the first full-length history of this campaign, providing in-depth coverage of events and politics as well as military strategy analysis. It is these elements which make for an exceptional history for World War I scholars.