The West Africa Campaigns, 1914-15

First rate accounts of two rarely covered campaigns of the Great War

The First World War broke out shortly after the empires forged by nations of the developed west had reached their zenith. Britain had been notable in its success in that endeavour, whilst Germany (a late arrival in actual statehood) had done its best given the short time available to it and the paucity of worthy dominions not already claimed by its competitors. This state of affairs, indeed, significantly contributed to this war and guaranteed it could be prefixed, 'World'. Both Britain and Germany possessed colonies in East Africa, South Africa and West Africa in 1914. France too had territories it could claim as its own. Though the principal battles would be fought far away in Europe, there was no consideration which would allow these far away neighbours to co-exist peacefully. There are several books readily available on the East African campaigns, but less on the struggles on West Africa-an often entirely different terrain of dense, hostile pestilential jungles and swamps which favoured no one. These were short campaigns prosecuted against a determined, but under resourced enemy.The outcome was certain. Nevertheless, they make fascinating reading for every reader fascinated by the 'side-show' theatres of the Great War. Contains many photographs and illustrations.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.