Grand Forks herald., 1917-02-05

would much facilitate the transport
and supply arrangements for the
campaign into the interior. But it was
ruled out, partly because the prevail
ence of the monsoon at that period
made the landing of large force an
operation Of great difficulty and dan
ger, partly. because a prolonged cam
paign on the coast Immediately after
the rainy season would mean the dis
appearance OF very large percentage
OF my army from malaria and other
tropical ailments"
The decision was therefore to make
the main effort from Nairobi, 800
miles from the coast. striking straight
into the heart Of the enemys coun-
try. II decided, to push. the whole
second division into the interior un-
der General van Deventer." continues
Smuts. I'm this way 1t would. be pos
siblo to occupy q valuable portion of
the enemy country within. the next
two months" General van Deventer's
brilliant march to Kondoa Irangi is
described. He reached that place, at
ter continuous marching and fighting,
in May; His horses were exhausted: /:
cumbed to the dreaded horse sick
ness during the advance Of some 200
miles from Moschi in four weeks. The
troops too were worn out The rain
came with great violence:
'The numerous rivers came down
In Hood and swept away almost all
our laboriously built bridges, the
roads became impossible mud tracks
and transport became physical i'm
possibility. The rains fell steadily day
after day. sometimes four inches in
one day and the low-lying parts OF
the country assumed the appearance
OF lakes Fortunately, the railway had
by this time reached Taveta, where
sufficient supplies could be dumped
for our resting troops. Van Deven-
ter's division in the interior was cut
off, but managed to live for weeks on
such supplies as could be collected To-
cally. or carried by porters 120 miles"
/, Several units were reduced 20 per
cent by malaria. The troops had often
to cut their way for miles through
almost impenetrable bush. constantly
engaging the enemy in his prepared
rearguard positions. There were seri-
GUS transport and supply difficulties.
and frequent shortages Of water for
men and horses. The railway lines
were under water for long distances
borers was constantly required to pre-
vent its complete disappearance.
AS soon as the rains abated, Smuts
took in hand the task OF clearing the
enemy from the Pare and Usambara
mountains. The rapidity of the ad-
vance exceeded expectations. The
Usambara was reached in ten days
over 1870 miles of trackless country
Several columns were operating al
this time. and there were constant en-.
gagements with the enemy. When
Kanga mountain was reached the
transport had got to the utmost radius
of its capacity. and the troops op-
Grating here had been on half rations
for some time.
While these troops were resting
and refitting, General Smuts arranged
for a landing near Tanga and a sim
ultaneous attack on that port by land
and sea. Fighting proceeded almost
In the neighborhood of the great
lakes. where the advance Of the Bel
gian forces was assisted. The largest
island in Lake Victoria was attacked
and captured. 1t produced much OF
the rice which formed the staple diet
Of the enemy's native troops.
Meanwhile Van Deventer advanced
to the central railway, and reached