Imperial German Colonial and Overseas Troops 1885–1918

Featuring specially commissioned artwork and many rare photos, this book describes and illustrates the Kaiser’s specially raised and uniformed units that operated in Africa both in colonial wars from 1890 to 1907, and during World War I, and the ‘sea battalions’ that were raised to serve with the fleet, as far afield as China and the Pacific islands.

Under the ambitious young Kaiser Wilhelm II, rivalry with the old colonial powers saw the protectorates originally established by trading companies transformed into crown colonies, garrisoned by the newly raised Schutztruppe with emergency support from the Imperial Navy's Sea Battalions. This book explains their organization and operations.Germany’s 30–year colonial episode in Africa, the Pacific, and her enclave in China is a relatively unexplored aspect of the country’s history. Under the young Kaiser Wilhelm II, rivalry with the old colonial powers saw the protectorates, originally established by trading companies, transformed into crown colonies garrisoned by the newly raised Schutztruppe, with support from the Imperial Navy’s Seebataillone. This book explains the organization and the operations in these colonies, including an account of the Herero campaign in Southwest Africa. Illustrated with rare photos, and with color plates detailing the uniforms of German and native troops alike, this is an authoritive description of the garrisons manning the German colonies.