The East African Campaign in the Rhodesian Herald

Abstract

Although the East African campaign (1914-1918) was, in comparative terms, one of the Great War's minor episodes, it is a vital aspect of Africa's military history. Despite this importance, however, much remains unknown about this conflict, which claimed the lives of untold thousands of European and African soldiers. Understanding the operational and historical evolution of the campaign requires more than just a survey of books, articles, and official documentation. Newspapers such as the Leader of British East Africa and the East African Standard are invaluable sources for information about day-to-day fighting and living conditions. Unfortunately, very little work has been done with newspapers published outside the operational theater, which oftentimes contain materials unavailable elsewhere.One of the most important newspapers in this category was the Rhodesia Herald. Apart from the Reuter's News Agency field dispatches, the newspaper included scores of articles and letters to the editor written by Rhodesians from the front or by family members who remained at home. These items covered a wide range of topics, including recruitment difficulties, experiences of individual soldiers, and, perhaps most importantly, the exploits of the 2nd Rhodesia Regiment, which fought in the East African bush for twenty-three months.