It is now often forgotten that, before 1918, the Kaiser’s Germany held colonies in Africa, China, New Guinea, and the Samoa. One of these Colonies, German East Africa, is clearly meant to be the setting of this interesting tribute to the Kaiser’s global empire. The song which accompanies it, “Heia Safari,” was written before the Great War and remains very popular in German-speaking countries. It is accompanied by both German and English subtitles.

The commander shown is clearly General Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck, who commanded colony’s militia during the Great War. Commanding a crack force of African “Askaris,” and white officers, General von Lettow-Vorbeck defended German East Africa until it had been completely occupied by the British and Belgian armies. The General and his men then crossed into Allied territory and fought a guerrilla campaign until he and his men were at last told about the 1918 Armistice. As a result, General von Lettow-Vorbeck has been called one of the greatest guerilla commanders of all time.

Unfortunately, this video chooses not to focus on that brilliantly fought campaign. Instead the footage used depicts the General in combat against a fictional tribal uprising. Although the video is very well done, I could not help feeling deeply disturbed by the sight of rifles, machine guns, and artillery being deployed against people armed only with spears.

I could not help thinking of Hilaire Belloc’s oft quoted poem:

“Whatever happens, we have got

The Maxim gun, and they have not.”