Just before and during the First World War, another war was being waged in East Africa. As in Europe, the main protagonists, with thek respective allies, were the Germans and British.Though it was thousands of miles away, this sideshow was no less bitter. At stake lay the vast mineral reserves of East and Central Africa, plus access to valuable crops like cotton, tea, coffee and timber. Such was the value of the prize that in December 1914, The Times claimed that, had the great conflagration not erupted in Europe, Germany and Britain would surely have clashed over their interests in Africa.

The key to controlling the region was Lake Tanganyika, where the Germans-withsome foresight - had established a base, plus a small port, whence they deployed two large gunships.