Glossary

Armoured Cars East Africa WW1 – There were a small numbers deployed both Leyland and Rolls Royces

Askari – This was the name given to the German locally recruited and trained soldiers

British East Africa – After WW1 this became the British colony of Kenya

Field Company (FK) – The basic very mobile German Fighting unit – three platoons of 60 men with 20 German Officers and doctors. Supported by 250 Porters

Field-Marshal Jan Christian Smuts – Commander of Allied Forces in East Africa during WWI, serving as Lieutenant General (Feb 1916). Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa (1939-1948)

General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck – The commander and outstanding leader of the German Forces who inspired African, German and British alike creating a strong following that is still alive today. Beware though that whilst his military competence as a bush leader is unquestionable do note he also ‘terrorised’ the local peoples which is often overlooked.

German East Africa – After WW1 this became the British Colony on Tanganyika now called Tanzania

Gilgit – The capital city of Gilgit-Balistan, the northernmost political entity within Pakistan. Ceded to Gulab Singh in 1846 – the Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir. Under British India rule from 1889.

Gilgit Scouts – A local Militia formed in 1913, now a unit of the Pakistan army

Gulmarg – A playground of the Raj with Chalet style houses surrounding a grassy maiden with Golf Course, Polo and Cricket Grounds. It is west of Srinagar and at 8000 feet. Today it has the highest ski lift in the world

Jasin – Is a small fishing village in the North East Corner of German East Africa where the Kashmir Rifles fought to the last round and the last drop of water

Kashmir Rifles – The correct title was Jammu and Kashmir Rifles but the British always shortened it. They were the private Army of the Maharajah

Kilimanjaro – The dominant mountain feature in the lives of the Kashmir Rifles in 1915 and 1916

Konigsberg – The German Cruiser  whose 4.1 inch guns were dismounted and effectively deployed in the land campaign

Lukigura – This is a river and the battle where the Kashmir Rifles led a decisive victory June 1916

Misha – This is the Camp where Smuts Army collapsed with malaria, dysentery, exhaustion and with minimal supplies

Pangani – This river was the axis of advance into German East Africa in 1916

Tanga – This was the major seaport and railway terminus in the North of German East Africa. It was also the name of the battle and a British defeat of 1914

Tsavo – is the River line of defensive posts where the Kashmir Rifles operated throughout 1915