army historian Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I noticed this post card on ebay (did not win) - I am not aware of any ship bombardments (as depicted on the card of the Thetis). Does any know if this is true or an artist concept? If it is true, does anyone know the village, or date? Cheers Captain Albert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernhard H.Holst Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Hello Captain. Going strictly by memory (which is not what it used to be and my library being in total disarray) this could pertain to an uprising in German East Africa, I believe in 1905. This was ruthlessly suppressed. Bernhard H. Holst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
army historian Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 Thank you Bernhard, Yes I am aware that the S.M.S. Thetis (from the Asiatic Squadron) arrived on station DOA (Rufiji Delta) on the 26th of September 1905. I just was not sure of the possible bombardment shown in the postcard above. I own the medals and doc's of a Walther Koehler (Kohler) that commanded a detachment in DOA, and returned to Germany in April 1906 with the Thetis. 06 October 1905 Lieutenant Walther Köhler (Koehler) lands with a detachment of 20 men and 1 machinegun before Kissidju Cheers Captain Albert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
army historian Posted July 30, 2011 Author Share Posted July 30, 2011 Hello all - not proof positive, but I ran across this information: Upon his arrival Fregatten kapitän Glatzel of the Thetis took over all Naval units, as he was the ranking Officer on Station. Fregatten kapitän Glatzel would later receive the Prussian Order of the Crown 3rd class with swords for his part in the putting down the uprising as did Korvetten kapitan Bake . A Report entitled “Military-Political Report” dated 7 Dec. 1905 from Glatzel (Commander of the Thetis and all naval units in East Africa) to Kaiser Wilhelm II comments on the cruisers, Naval and Marine Units activities from 20 Oct. to 30 Nov. 1905. In this report he states: The new operative task in the relieved districts as “Forcing the rebels to a lasting capitulation through permanent harassment, with destruction of their villages (which they rebuild again and again), the removal of all livestock and food stores”. This was a very nasty war where the Germans resorted to a “Total War” concept to crush the rebel guerrilla War. So I guess the card is not just an artist inspired piece. Cheers Captain Albert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Dale Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Some great research you've done there. Here's an article in German about the SMS Bussard, another German ship invovled in the Maji Maji Rebellion in German East Africa. Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
army historian Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Thank you Chris, I really find the German colonial period (1883-1918) of great interest. But it is hard to find information sometimes. Yes that is a great website. Cheers Captain Albert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Dale Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Sorry, I put the link to my own site (which I'm glad you liked) but forgot to add the SMS Bussard link- http://www.traditionsverband.de/download/pdf/bussard_halle.pdf Cheers Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
army historian Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Thanks Chris - I found it anyway. Nice write up. I uploaded a small article I wrote on the "British, German, and Italian Blockade of Venezuela 1902/03" here on this site. It is in the download area. Cheers Captain Albert http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/files/file/19-venezuela-blockade-190203/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Dale Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I own the medals and doc's of a Walther Koehler (Kohler) that commanded a detachment in DOA, and returned to Germany in April 1906 with the Thetis. Cheers Captain Albert Can you show us a photo of the medals, please? I uploaded a small article I wrote on the "British, German, and Italian Blockade of Venezuela 1902/03" here on this site. It is in the download area. Cheers Captain Albert http://gmic.co.uk/in...lockade-190203/ Now, when I click that link an error message comes up. I'd be very interested to read more on the Venuzuelan blockade. Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
army historian Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) Hello Chris, the download worked for me no problem. Here is an old link to Koehler: http://gmic.co.uk/in...edals-or-items/ . You need to scroll down to it. Cheers Captain Albert Edited August 4, 2011 by army historian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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