From Our Magazines
America's Civil War American History Armchair General Aviation History British Heritage Civil War Times MHQ Military History Vietnam Wild West World War IIMore On The Website
All History Topics Classifieds Partner Links Civil War Sesquicentennial
Our History Magazines
Order America's Civil War Order American History Order Aviation History Order British Heritage Order Civil War Times Order Military History Order MHQ Order Vietnam Order Wild West Order World War II Order Armchair GeneralSubscriber Services
Order a Subscription Give a Gift Renew Get Subscription Help
Loading ...
He had a very good grasp of the strategic and operational situation he found himself in East Africa. He also realized that:
-withdrawal to Germany or reinforcement was impossible;
-he was surrounded and outnumbered;
-conventional strategy and tactics were not going to work and quickly lead to his defeat; and
-the greatest effect he could achieve was to continue to exist as a fighting force.
By continuing to exist, he could affect Allied thinking and troop distribution. Allied forces fighting/ hunting him would not be available for use against German forces in Europe. He succeeded in tying down tens of thousands of Allied troops for years in Africa. To accomplish this, he had to abandon conventional thought and concentrated on maintaining a fighting force with available resources.
He correctly predicted the opening moves of Allied forces against East Africa and moved his forces to counter them as best he could.
He took full advantage of the supplies and equipment after Tanga to raise more troops.
He did not allow himself to become tied to a particular piece of ground but concentrated on enemy forces. He moved when and where necessary. Withdrawing in the facing of overwhelming odds and fighting when the opportunity arose.
In the end, he never took his eyes off the goal of continuing to exist and fighting the Allies.