Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-04-20
SATURDAY. ..... APRIL 90, 1913
THE COLORE:D PEOPLES
PART IN WORLD
WAR
Continued From First Page.)

troops he crossed the eastern frontier
Immediately on the declaration of
war and attacked Kusseri, about 70
miles South of Lake Chad. in the
triangle formed by the meeting Of
the northwest boundary lines be-
tween Cameroons and Nigeria on the
West and French Equatorial Africa
on the East
The town Is strongly placed at the
junction Of the Logone and Shari
rivers. we'll fortified and strongly
garrisoned. The attack was repealed
and when the French withdrew the
Germans took the offensive, captur-
Ing small post and inducing
Karnak, the Sultan of Logone, to
rise against the French.
On the 2Sth of August the Sultan
was defeated by the French, who
advanced to Kusseri and again at
tackled it on the 21st of September
The garrison made stubborn fight
but were compelled to yield by a
brilliant bayonet charge of the Sene-
galese Trailleurs. They fed in panic
and abandoned all their guns, am
munition and other supplies.
General Largeau took possession
of Kusseri and made it his base of
operations. On the 4th of October
a column of Lieutenant Colonel
; Brisset was despatched to join force
of Nigcrian troops operating to the
southwest in the region of the
Mandara mountains.
Colonel Brisset's force consisted
mainly of recruits from Moshi, north
of Ashanti. Capturing several small
posts cnroute, it arrived at Mora
nearly 90 miles S. S. w. of Kusseri
hn tDin q |,
the Nigerian force.
Immediately on war being declared
by Great Britain Sir Frederick Lu-
gard, Govcrnor-Gencral OF Nigeria,
had concentrated three columns
composed of men of the Nigerian
Regiment Of the West African
Frontier Force near the frontier.
These columns entered Cameroons on
the 25th Of August The most
northerly column started from Mai
n dugar,, under the command of Capt.
y r. w. Fox, marched on Mora 10
mics 80 tie southeast, and .endeav-
ored to carry it by assault.
The attempt failed. Mora being
placed on a commanding eminencc in
very rugged and difficult country,
almost imprcgnable to direct attack
we'll fortified and provisoncd and
ably and rcsolutely defended by its
Commandant, HauDtmann (Captain)
Won Rabcn. Tho attackers then cs-
tablishcd a watch until the French
reinforcement arrived. Another as
sault was delivered and failed. Sew
cral positions were carried by
Colonel Br.ssct's troops in night
attacks but were recovered by coun-
ter attacks, the fighting being SO
severe that the Germans asked for
i 4
Colonel Brisset and Captain Fox
then decided to divide their forces,
the Niger ans remaining to blockade
Mora, while their Allies advanced to
Marua, Il large Muhammadan town
about 5 miles further South. Driv-
ing before him German force
advancing to the relief of Mora,
Colonel Brissct attacked the town.
Although the attack was not success
full the Germans abandoned the
position during the night and retired
to Garue, a large town on the Benuc
near the Nigerian frontier, and 100
miles southwest Of Marua.
AS the operations at Mora had no
decisive effect on the result Of the
conflict, which was fought out on
another area, it may be stated here
that the blockade was maintained
until August, 1915, when Brigadier-
General Cunliffc again ordered an
assault. The Nigcrian troops at
tackled with desperate and determined
courage aga'ns almost insuperablc
natural obstacles.
General Cunliffc thus describes the
position: mora mountain has a
base perimctcr of about 80 miles, it
rises prccipitously to a height OF
100 feet, and its SIDES, which arc
so steep as to be accessible only in
few places to men using both hands
and feet, are covered with hugh
bouldcrs, affording excellent cover tC
the defenders"
From a hill called Ouatchke, the
summit of which is Of nearly equal
height, but separated from Mora
mountain by a deep valley 600 yards
wide, three separate attacks were
launched. The third succeeded in
gaining foothold on the summit onl,
to find it's progress stopped by
redOubt.
An assault with the bayonct or
this work by the Nigerian Regiment
was stopped within 60 yards of the
defcnces, but these indomitable
troops held the position they had
gained for forty eight hours without
food or water, which it was impossi
BILE to supply to them, and the
General was obliged to order them
to retire, which they did only il
obedience to their orders.
In consequence Of the development
OF the course OF the operations ir
other parts OF tho country, Genera
Cunliffe's force was now recalled TO,
service on the Coast, troops equal II
numbers to the original investing
force being loft to maintain block
ade. This was maintained until al
the other German forces having beer
defeated, Hauptmapn Won Raben wa,
called upon to surrender on honour
able terms which he accepted. and
capitulated with his whole force or
the 18th OF February, 1916.
The, operations 80 far described haG
been conducted In the Eastern ax