<– Part 81 – February 6, 1916  | Part 82 – February 13, 1916 |  Part 83 – February 20, 1916 –>

Spicer-Simson aboard the Belgian boat Netta.

Action escalated in German East Africa this past week, as the warship Hedwig sailed from her port on Lake Tanganyika February 8 in search of the missing Kingani, presumed sunk but actually captured by the British. Spotting the Mimi and Fifi, the three ships began a circling dance on the lake as each attempted to bring her bow artillery piece to bear upon her enemy. After a half hour of maneuvering (including Fifi’s recoil stopping her in the water and spending 20 minutes clearing a jam), Fifi scored a hit on the Hedwig with her next to last shell. This shell entered the engine room of Hedwig, killed half a dozen sailors, and destroyed her boiler. After placing charges and abandoning the ship, Hedwig was sunk. The British captured 20 sailors and Hedwig’s naval ensign – the first one of the way. The following day, the German ship Götzen sailed the coastline searching for Hedwig. The British did not engage, as the commander, Geoffrey Spicer-Simson, did not feel any of his ships were adequate for such an engagement.

A land engagement February 12 in the same colony at Salaita Hill brought about a British defeat, as inadequate intelligence led to an engagement with an enemy nearly six times the size reported. Additionally, artillery fire was directed upon the German secondary line of trenches rather than the front line, allowing the Germans time to prepare for the assault. Finally, a German flanking attack drove the British back. An interesting story developed, as this battle included British, African, white South African, and Indian troops. The South African troops, after speaking disparagingly of the Indians, fled in the face of a German counter-attack while the Indians stood firm. The Indians returned one of the machine guns abandoned by the South Africans to them with the following note: “With the compilments of the 130th Baluchis. May we request that you no longer refer to our people as ‘coolies'”

The seaplane carrier HMS Ben-me-Chree

The British conscription law has gone into effect February 10. In North Africa, seaplanes from the carrier HMS Ben-my-Chree (Manx for “Woman of my heart”) have spotted the Senussi force at Agagia.