Precision and Dispatch
The first setbacks for the German Empire in the Great War came courtesy of ANZAC troops.
1923
King George V 1910-1936
The first setbacks for the German Empire in the Great War came courtesy of ANZAC troops.
1923
King George V 1910-1936
ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) troops were involved from the very beginning of the Great War on August 4th, 1914, not because they were summoned to Europe to protect Britain but because Germany’s growing colonial presence in the South Pacific was a direct threat to their independence.
THE German Pacific possessions had long been a source of anxiety to the Australian Commonwealth, and the first blow against them was struck by the adjacent British dominions. The initial attack was made on Samoa. On 15th August a New Zealand expeditionary force, some 1,500 strong, left Wellington in troop-ships, and sailed for Samoa under the escort of HMS Australia, HMS Melbourne, and the French cruiser Montcalm. On 28th August it reached Apia,* and took possession of the islands without resistance. The German officials came in and swore fealty, and were confirmed in their posts.
Then came the turn of New Pomerania.* On 11th September an expeditionary force arrived at Herbertshöhe,* the port at the north-eastern extremity of the island. A party of sailors landed at dawn, and proceeded through the bush towards the wireless station. The advance was not unopposed, for the Germans seem to have concentrated here most of the troops which they possessed in their New Guinea Protectorate.
Apia is the capital of Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa), which was governed by New Zealand until full independence in 1962. Not to be confused with neighbouring American Samoa, which remains a US territory governed from Washington. For a map of the region, see A map of modern-day Oceania, showing the chief islands, countries and groupings.
New Pomerania is now New Britain, an island off the east coast of Papua New Guinea, immediately to the north of Australia. New Britain is divided into East and West administrative divisions.
Herbertshöhe is now Kokopo, capital of East New Britain. In Buchan’s day, the capital was Rabaul, but the town was devasted by a volcanic eruption in 1994.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Which country sent troops to Samoa in 1914, to take the islands from the German Empire?