Capture of Garoua 1916 • Contemporary Era
Discovering the battle
6 January – 10 February 1916 French victory

Capture of Garoua

Cameroon campaign (First World War) · Garoua, Cameroon

Summary

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.

Historical context

After the failure of the First Battle of Garua in August 1914, Captain von Crailsheim strengthened the forts with barbed wire, earthworks, and guns. Franco-British forces under Cunliffe and Brisset invested the position from 31 May 1915.

Tactics

Methodical siege: trenches dug each night by sapping and mining, bombardment by a British 12-pounder naval gun and a French 95 mm piece. Von Crailsheim surrendered unconditionally on 10 June after mutinies in the garrison.

Consequences

The surrender on 10 June 1915 isolated the Mora stronghold, the last German pocket in northern Kamerun. Cunliffe could then push south and take Ngaundere, accelerating the end of the Kamerun campaign.

Location

Place : Garoua, Cameroon
Coordinates : 9.3°N, 13.4°E

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