Markus Bodeux
The occurrences in the German
Colony Deutschostafrika between August 1888 and May 1890
lead the largest military action of the Imperial German
Navy before WW I. These occurrences are commonly known
as the „East African up rise“ or „Arabian up rise“.
In August 1885 the sultan of
Zanzibar was compelled to by the German cruiser-squadron
under the command of Konteradmiral Knorr, to admit the
imperial German protectorate over the German
acquisitions in inner-East Africa. The sultan could
accept this treaty, because his and the chiefs
territories on the East African coast and the river
deltas were not touched. In this area flourished the
slave-trade, well organized by the Arabs, and brought
prosperity to the sultan and the chiefs.
On April 28th 1888 a delegation of
the German-East African-Company could buy territorial
rights in the coastal region from the successor of the
sultan. He got a lot of money and participation in the
coming profits.
This evolution awaked rumors and resistance under the
Arabian slave-traders, because this deal was made
without them. They were afraid to loose their economical
base. At least 18 coastal settlements should come under
the control of the German East African company, but
until September 1888 the company was driven away by the
Arabs from all coastal places, except Bagamoyo and Dar-es-Salaam.
The german Kreuzergeschwader
(overseas-cruising-squadron), since August 31st 1888
under the command of Konteradmiral Deinhard, came in
action in September 1888 and tried to force the Arabs to
retreat from this places by landing operations and
artillery gunning.
The situation escalated and
the fight of the German Kanonenboot (gunboat)
MOEWE at Tange on September 5th and 6th 1888
counts as start of the campaign.
Meantime, the German government had convinced
the governments of Great Britain, Portugal and
Italy that the military action was only necessary
to crush the slave-trade.
These states agreed to hang blockade over the East
African Coast.
The
blockading-sections of the ships
of the German Kreuzergeschwader, end of 1888
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The intention of this article is
to list all members of the imperial German navy, which
participated in this action and so received the Colonial
Commemorative Medal with the clasp „Deutschostafrika
1888/89“.
Also the military decoration, awarded for this campaign,
will be mentioned. A detailed explanation of the many
different actions and fights would fill a book.
The military action in East Africa
was divided in two parts, because not all the
participants stayed in the theatre for at least three
years (1888-1890).
With the Highest Order of the
Cabinet of November, 19th 1889 the period from the first
fight of the MOEWE on September, 6th 1888 until the
ending of the international blockade on July, 10th 1889
as a campaign and wartime service.
The crews of the following ships:
- Kreuzerfregatte LEIPZIG
- Kreuzerkorvette SOPHIE
- Kreuzerkorvette CAROLA
- Kleiner Kreuzer MÖWE
- Kleiner Kreuzer SCHWALBE
- Aviso PFEIL
- and the staff of the Kreuzergeschwader (on board
LEIPZIG)
which were present in the theatre
of operations during this period, received 4 years
involved credit for their pension. In the foundation
document for the Colonial Commemorative Medal is
concerning the clasp „Deutschostafrika 1888/89“
expressly referred to this order of cabinet to the crews
of these ships.
The crew of Kreuzerkorvette OLGA
is not mentioned in this relation, although the ship was
present on the East African coast in September 1888 and
even boarded a landing detachment. For the crew of the
OLGA the year 1888 counted as double wartime service
because of their action in Samoa in December 1888. This
is declared in the same Order of Cabinet.
Nothing else, the crew of the OLGA could also receive
the clasp „DEUTSCHOSTAFRIKA 1888/89““, so that on the
medal bars of this persons the clasps:
DEUTSCH-OSTAFRIKA 1888/89
SAMOA 1888
will
appear.
On board of the mentioned ships, including OLGA, served
during this campaign the following officers, naval
engineers, doctors paymasters and further about 1550
seaman and NCOs:
Achenwall
Obermaschinist MÖWE
Alberts Unterleutnant zur See CAROLA
Arendt, Dr. Marineassistenzarzt 1. Kl.
SCHWALBE
Arimond, Dr. Marineassistenzarzt 2. Kl.
LEIPZIG
Bachem Leutnant zur See SOPHIE
Back Unterleutnant zur See SOPHIE
Bassenge, Dr. Marineassistenzarzt 1.
Kl. MÖWE
Behm Unterleutnant zur See LEIPZIG
Benzler Leutnant zur See CAROLA
Berger Leutnant zur See SOPHIE bis
18.12.88
Block Leutnant zur See PFEIL
Bode Unterleutnant zur See CAROLA ab
25.3.89
Borgnis Leutnant zur See SCHWALBE
Bredow, von Leutnant zur See SOPHIE
Brinkmann Leutnant zur See CAROLA
Bröker Kapitänleutnant CAROLA, 1.
Offizier ab 2.4.89
Bruch Leutnant zur See PFEIL
Capelle Kapitänleutnant LEIPZIG ab
1.2.89
Coßmann Kapitänleutnant LEIPZIG bis
1.2.89
Deinhard Konteradmiral Chef des
Kreuzergeschwaders
Donner Korvettenkapitän LEIPZIG, 1.
Offizier bis 16.12.88
Draeger Korvettenkapitän
LEIPZIG,1.O.ab 16.12.88,PFEIL Kdt.ab 2.4.89
Eckardt Leutnant zur See OLGA
Elvers Unterleutnant zur See LEIPZIG
Erhardt, Freiherr von Korvettenkapitän
OLGA, Kommandant ab 18.9.88
Ettel Marinepfarrer Geschwaderpfarrer
ab 13.3.89
Feldmann Marineunterzahlmeister MÖWE
bis 1.12.88
Ferber Kapitänleutnant MÖWE, 1.
Offizier bis 18.12.88
Fonseca-Wollheim, da Kapitänleutnant
CAROLA, 1.O.,LEIPZIG, 1.O. 2.4.89 bis 2.5.89
Fromm Unterleutnant zur See MÖWE
Gerstung Leutnant zur See SCHWALBE
Gotzhein Unterleutnant zur See LEIPZIG
ab 25.3.89
Gröben, von der Kapitänleutnant
SCHWALBE, 1. Offizier
Groppe, Dr. Marinestabsarzt
Geschwaderarzt (auf LEIPZIG)
Gühler Leutnant zur See LEIPZIG
Gülich Kapitänleutnant Stab des
Kreuzergeschwaders, Flaggleutnant
Haeseler, von Kapitänleutnant SOPHIE,
1. Offizier ab 1.2.89
Hartog Korvettenkapitän OLGA, ab
18.9.88 SOPHIE, Kdt. bis 26.3.89
Heinrich XXVI., Prinz Reuss Leutnant
zur See CAROLA bis 13.12.88
Herbing Korvettenkapitän PFEIL,
Kommandant, ab 2.4.89 SOPHIE, Kdt.
Heuschmann Unterleutnant zur See
SOPHIE bis 1.2.89
Hirschberg Korvettenkapitän SCHWALBE,
Kommandant
Hoffmann Marineunterzahlmeister CAROLA
ab 1.2.89
Jäckel Kapitänleutnant OLGA, 1.
Offizier
Jahn Marineunterzahlmeister SCHWALBE
Koch I. Leutnant zur See CAROLA
Koch II. Leutnant zur See MÖWE bis
13.3.89
Kohlhauer Korvettenkapitän SOPHIE,
Kommandant bis 18.9.88
Kruse Marinezahlmeisteraspirant MÖWE
ab 1.12.88
Landfermann Kapitänleutnant SOPHIE, 1.
Offizier
Lietzmann Leutnant zur See MÖWE
Meier II., Johannes Leutnant zur See
LEIPZIG
Mischke Unterleutnant zur See LEIPZIG
Möller, von Leutnant zur See LEIPZIG
Nieten Unterleutnant zur See PFEIL
Oxé Unterleutnant zur See LEIPZIG ab
25.3.89
Plüddemann Kapitän zur See LEIPZIG,
Kommandant ab 19.2.89
Raven, von Korvettenkapitän CAROLA,
Kommandant bis 2.4.89
Renvers, Dr. Marinestabsarzt SOPHIE
Riedel Korvettenkapitän MÖWE,
Kommandant
Ruge, Dr. Marineassistenzarzt 1. Kl.
PFEIL
Runge Maschinenunteringenieur SOPHIE,
ab 27.2.89 CAROLA
Scheer Leutnant zur See SOPHIE
Scheibel Leutnant zur See CAROLA ab
18.12.88
Schelle Unterleutnant zur See SCHWALBE
Schmidt I. Marinezahlmeister
Geschwaderzahlmeister (auf LEIPZIG)
Schmidt III. Marineunterzahlmeister
PFEIL ab 26.4.89
Schneider Korvettenkapitän LEIPZIG, 1.
Offizier ab 2.5.89
Schrader Unterleutnant zur See SOPHIE
ab 25.3.89
Schulz Kapitänleutnant PFEIL, 1.
Offizier
Schulz Zahlmeisteraspirant SOPHIE ab
25.3.89
Schütze Maschinenunteringenieur CAROLA,
ab 27.2.89 SOPHIE
Seydell Maschineningenieur LEIPZIG
Stechow Unterleutnant zur See MÖWE ab
13.3.89
Strauch Korvettenkapitän LEIPZIG,
Kommandant bis 19.2.89
Stromeyer Leutnant zur See SOPHIE ab
18.12.88
Studnitz, von Unterleutnant zur See
CARLA
Sturtz Marinezahlmeister SOPHIE bis
13.3.89
Tapken Unterleutnant zur See LEIPZIG
Thyen Unterleutnant zur See LEIPZIG
Valette Korvettenkapitän CAROLA,
Kommandant ab 26.3.89
Wangemann Marinepfarrer
Geschwaderpfarrer bis 13.3.89
Wapnewski Marineunterzahlmeister
CAROLA bis 1.2.89
Weiß, Dr. Marinestabsarzt CAROLA
Woesner Marineunterzahlmeister PFEIL,
ab 26.4.89 SOPHIE
Wuthmann Leutnant zur See LEIPZIG
For
participation and merit in the different military
actions the following persons received Prussian
decorations:
Deinhard
Konteradmiral 15.12.88 Roter Adler-Orden 2. Klasse m.
Eichenlaub u. Schwertern
Ferber Kapitänleutnant 15.12.88 Roter
Adler-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Landfermann Kapitänleutnant 22.1.89
Roter Adler-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Meier II., Johannes Leutnant zur See
19.3.89 Roter Adler-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Renvers, Dr. Marinestabsarzt 5.3.89
Roter Adler-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Bröker Kapitänleutnant 8.7.89 Roter
Adler-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Gröben, von der Kapitänleutnant 8.7.89
Roter Adler-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Weiß, Dr. Marinestabsarzt 8.7.89 Roter
Adler-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Groppe, Dr. Marineoberstabsarzt
19.6.89 Roter Adler-Orden 4. Kl. m. Schwertern am
weißen Bande mit schwarzer Einfassung
Deinhard Konteradmiral 1.11.89
Kronen-Orden, Stern zur 2. Klasse mit Schwertern
Donner Korvettenkapitän 15.12.88
Kronen-Orden 3. Kl. m. Schwertern
Hirschberg Korvettenkapitän 13.5.89
Kronen-Orden 3. Kl. m. Schwertern
Meier II. Leutnant zur See 15.12.88
Kronen-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Wuthmann Leutnant zur See 15.12.88
Kronen-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Bachem Leutnant zur See 5.3.89
Kronen-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Scheer Leutnant zur See 5.3.89
Kronen-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Arendt, Dr. Marineassistenzarzt1.Kl.
8.7.89 Kronen-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Brinkmann Leutnant zur See 8.7.89
Kronen-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Gühler Leutnant zur See 8.7.89
Kronen-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Koch I. Leutnant zur See 8.7.89
Kronen-Orden 4. Klasse m. Schwertern
Konteradmiral Gühler, at that time
on board LEIPZIG wearing the Kronenorden 4th class
with swords, and, after the China Commemorative
Medal, the Colonial Commemorative Medal without
clasp. Following the regulation, Gühler received
the Kronenorden 2nd class with sword at the ring
(suspension), awarded January 20th 1907. |
Korvettenkapitän Hirschberg wears
on this photograph from 1892 beneath the
Kronenorden 3rd class with swords the Prussian
live-saving medal, the red-eagle-order 4th class,
the service cross, the commemorative war-medal
1870/71 and the 2nd step of the 2nd class of the
order „the shining star“ of Zanzibar. |
The decorations were send to
Africa so fast as possible, that means with the next
outgoing steamer or warship. Korvettenkapitän Hirschberg
received his red-eagle-order 4th class, awarded January
20th 1889, already on February 19th 1889. In his memoirs
he expressed the happiness and also considerations:
„......real it's a pity, that
i now already possess the red-eagle-order, because may
be now is the right time to earn this decoration with
swords. So, my chances for a decoration with swords
are smaller.“
What a great happiness when, in
spite of his considerations, the Kronenorden 3rd class
with swords arrived in East Africa:
„.......on Whit Monday the
French post steamer passed by, and in the evening
Borgnis came with the boat from Zanzibar and he
brought the post, also the post from the at the same
time arriving French steamer.
With many friendly letters arrived the Kronenorden
3rd class with swords. You can imagine my great inner
happiness ! The decoration themselves arrived, the
very nice emailed cross with the crossed swords which
can only be earned under enemies fire) ant the black
and white striped ribbon. The highest order of the
cabinet says:
„....regarding the storm and
conquer of the fortified camp of chief Burschiri
near Bagamoyo on may 8th 1889, i award the
commanding officer of the participating crews form
my ships LEIPZIG, CAROLA and SCHWALBE,
Korvettenkapitän Hirschberg, the royal Kronenorden
3rd class with swords and send the decoration
beside. Further supposes for the award of
decorations i will consider after receiving the
reports.
Wilhelm.IR“
In a very sad case, the expedition
and out handing of a decoration had been still just in
time. Korvettenkapitän Donner leaded the landing on
September 22nd 1888 at Bagamoyo. His dress was
completely wet and further on he was punished by fever
and shivering. On December 16th 1888 he was send home
for recovery. His Kronenorden 3rd class with swords
reached Donner on January 22nd 1889 in Aden on his
death-bed. He died on January 26th 1889.
Kapitänleutnant Lanfermann
nevertheless couldn't yet receive his Kronenorden 4th
class. The decoration was awarded on January 22nd 1889.
After a landing operation near Dar-es-Salaam on January
25th back on board SOPHIE, Lanfermann suddenly was
punished by a strong headache and heat waves, some
minutes later he died by heatstroke.
Kapitänleutnant Lanfermann |
Korvettenkapitän Donner |
Also very interesting was the kind
of awarding the Star with swords of the Kronenorden 2nd
class to Konteradmiral Deinhard.
Kaiser Wilhelm spend the autumn 1889 in the
Mediterranean sea, to take part in the wedding ceremony
of the greek royal house. He ordered Konteradmiral
Deinhard to sail with the Leipzig to the Mediterranean
sea and on November 6th the Kaiser congratulated
Deinhard on board of his Ironclad KAISER near the island
Mitylene.
He presented Konteradmiral Deinhard the decoration with
the words:
„ ...thank you in my name and
in the name of the German people for that what you
have done for us in Africa.“
Additionally on November 17th 1889
the following Highest Order of the Cabinet was
published:
Beside the decorations awarded to the
Officers, the Militärehrenzeichen 2nd class was awarded
to the following seamen and NCOs:
Arndt Matrose
24.9.89 Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Aust Matrose 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Bahrs Obermatrose 15.12.88
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Blaschneck Bootsmannsmaat 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Braack Steuermannsmaat 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Danielis Matrose 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Eismann Matrose 15.12.88
Militärehrenzeichen 2. klasse
Gerhardt Bootsmannsmaat 15.12.88
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Heinig Obermatrose 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Jahnke Obermatrose 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Klebba Matrose 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Klein Matrose 15.12.88
Militärehrenzeichen 2. klasse
Kornetzky Matrose 15.12.88
Militärehrenzeichen 2. klasse
Lack Obermatrose 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Last Obermatrose 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Leiß Bootsmannsmaat 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Liebold Oberbootsmannsmaat 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Melzer Feuerwerksmaat 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Möhnert Obermatrose 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Pauly Obersteuermannsgast 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Puhlmann Obermatrose 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Samm Bootsmannsmaat 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Scharfe Oberlazarettgehilfe 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Schausch Chomba wadi Hamit
Patrouillenführer 26.3.89 Militärehrenzeichen 2.
Klasse
Schneider Matrose 15.12.88
Militärehrenzeichen 2. klasse
Sieben Matrose 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Spieß Matrose 15.12.88
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Spulwig Lazarettgehilfe 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Strohbusch Bootsmannsmaat 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Taddag Obersteuermannsgast 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Toll Matrose 15.12.88
Militärehrenzeichen 2. klasse
Valtix Bootsmannsmaat 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Voigt Matrose 24.9.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Voigt Bootsmannsmaat 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Wagner Matrose 15.12.88
Militärehrenzeichen 2. klasse
Weischnur Matrose 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Wenzlaff Oberbootsmannsmaat 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Werner Bootsmannsmaat 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Wulf Matrose 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Wünsch Feuerwerksmaat 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Zumkowski Matrose 8.7.89
Militärehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
Landungszug S.M.S. SCHWALBE in
Bagamoyo 1889 |
The following seamen and NCOs
received a Highest Commendation (Allerhöchste Belobigung):
Bargmann
Obermatrose 8.7.89 Allerhöchste Belobigung
Bukowski Obermatrose 8.7.89
Allerhöchste Belobigung
Donius Matrose 8.7.89 Allerhöchste
Belobigung
Ebeling Matrose 8.7.89 Allerhöchste
Belobigung
Koernich Obermatrose 8.7.89
Allerhöchste Belobigung
Reuter Obermatrose 8.7.89 Allerhöchste
Belobigung
Spieß Matrose 8.7.89 Allerhöchste
Belobigung
Ziemer Matrose 8.7.89 Allerhöchste
Belobigung
Zimmermann Bootsmannsmaat 8.7.89
Allerhöchste Belobigung
Statistic of awards, given for the
military operations of the imperial German navy
in East Africa 1888/89:
Roter Adler-Orden 2.
Klasse mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern |
1 |
Roter Adler-Orden 4.
Klasse mit Schwertern |
7 |
Roter Adler-Orden 4.
Klasse mit Schwerternam weißen Band mit schwarzer
Einfassung |
1 |
Stern mit Schwertern
zum Kronenorden 2.Klasse |
1 |
Kronenorden 3. Klasse
mit Schwertern |
2 |
Kronenorden 4. Klasse
mit Schwertern |
8 |
Militärehrenzeichen
2. Klasse |
41 |
Allerhöchste
Belobigung |
9 |
At least completely 1650 men of the
imperial German navy were entitled for the Colonial
Commemorative Medal with the clasp DEUTSCHOSTAFRIKA
1888/89.
DEUTSCH-OSTAFRIKA
1888/89 for the Colonial Commemorative medal
(Bernd Doebel collection)
Not only decorations, also in
Africa very rare gifts were send from Germany:
"On
the occasion of the birthday of His Majesty the
Emperor and King, the owners of the KAISER-Brewery
in Bremen, Mr. Beck & Company, have donated 10
000 bottles of beer for the crews of ships,
stationed on the East African coast, which were
used in the right manner." |
Marineverordnungsblatt
1889, Nr. 4, Seite 25
© A. Schulze Ising, IV/00
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