Германская Юго-Западная Африка
On 1 July 1912 he was appointed as inspector-general of the Permanent Forces of the Union Defence Force with the rank of brigadier-general and in 1914 at the start of World War I he became commander of A-force for the occupation of German South-West Africa. In November and December 1914 he took part in operations against the rebels and on 23 September 1914 he fought at the Battle of Sandfontein in German South-West Africa. In July 1915 he was appointed as commander of the demobilising force in German South-West Africa and on 11 August 1915 he became general officer commanding, the 1st South African Infantry Brigade.