Battle of Garua II 1918 • Contemporary Era
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Battle of Garua II

Contemporary Era French victory
Historical significance:

Summary

Despite official Kamerun surrender in 1916, several German pockets still resisted in the north. The Garua post, already captured once, was reoccupied by a German force in January 1918. The French then launched a rapid operation to retake the fort. The assault led by Senegalese tirailleurs allowed recapture of Garua after a brief siege.

Historical context

The African front saw skirmishes continue long after official capitulations. Control of Garua was crucial to prevent resurgence of German guerrilla warfare on the Nigerian border. This battle fitted the logic of complete securing of the African theatre.

Tactics

The assault took place at dawn with two sections advancing under tree cover. Light artillery (mountain howitzer) pounded fort positions. A breach was opened and tirailleurs charged with bayonets. The enemy surrendered quickly after heavy losses.

Consequences

French victory at Garua eliminated the last active German forces in Cameroon. It marked the end of all enemy military presence in northern equatorial Africa. Territories were integrated into the French mandate after the war.

Location

Place : Garua, northern Cameroon (equatorial Africa)
Coordinates : 9.304°N, 13.39°E

Related battles

Capture of Garoua

1916

Garoua, an important German bastion in northern Cameroon, was encircled and taken after several weeks of siege. French troops operating from Chad, in coordination with the British from Nigeria, forced the surrender of the German garrison. This victory marked the beginning of the end of German colonial resistance in the region.

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Surrender of Mora

1916

The German garrison of Mora, entrenched on an impregnable hill since 1914, finally capitulated for lack of food and ammunition. This last German bastion in Cameroon was neutralized after several months of blockade.

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Indecisive