The unit was part of the 2nd South African Infantry Brigade which fought along the Taveta/ Kilimanjaro Front. As part of the north prong in General Smut's offensive. The unit was originally raised in the Transvaal region of South Africa from Australian and New Zealander settlers joining as other ranks, while mostly Afrikaners taking positions of N.C.O.s and Officers.(South African Infantry waiting to depart Cape Town)
On the 12th of
February, 1916. The unit participated at the 1st Battle of Salaita, attacking
across an open field with Germans entrenched on the heights. The unit lost 30
men to enemy fire. But were able to withdrawal thanks to armored car support. Unfortunately the unit left behind a cash of ammunition which was recovered by the Germans.
On the 7th of March, 1916 saw a much more favorable 2nd Battle of Salaita. With flanking maneuvers and heavy bombardment, the Germans were forced to retire and the troops charged the heights to find only a handful casualties. The bulk of the Germans and all their supplies had fled into the jungle.
The fighting again intensified on the 10th of March. Unknown to Smuts, the Germans still held the "nek" between the Latema and Reata Hills an obstacle 700 feet above the open plains covering the advance to Moshi. After several probing attacks, the 7th was ordered to fix bayonets and take the heights at night. Colonel Freeth successfully took the heights and held the position throughout the night. Early the next morning, before light, General Smuts ordered a withdrawal. But at daybreak it was discovered the 7th, 2nd Rhodesians, and 3rd King's African Rifles where still holding the hill a mist German counter attacks. Only by the skins of their teeth with hand to hand fighting and using capture German fire-arms were they able to hold the Germans at bay. When a relief force; of Artillery, armored cars, and the 8th South African Infantry, forced the Germans to retreat in good order. Freeth was awarded the DSO for his leadership.
In the wake of the last action, the Germans in the area were forced to withdrawl from around Moshi. Everywhere British units were to capture German units. But to disapoinment of General Smuts, they instead were only able to push back the enemy and capture more and more territory. The unit was given a respite until the 18th of March. Where it was given the order to attack Paul Von Lettow's forces in the Kahe area, taking causalities in the hills in five days of fierce combat. Smuts commited much of his Infantry to bayonet attacks and charges. These attacks worked at driving the enemy back, but they were costly. Seeing his position collapsing, Paul Von Lettow withdrew his forces out of the hills into the jungles to the south.
The 7th was kept in reserve in the wake of the battle with the Germans. But the men still had to battle the "Fever Belt" or "Jungle Sickness" carried by bugs and hanging in the air they travelled through. With the subsiding of the rains the advance resumed, 18th of May. Men where expected to live off two pieces of hardtack a day as they marched, were ambushed by Germans, and under mosquito bombardment. Only after six weeks and 250 miles was the advance through the jungle halted on the 24th of June along the Lukigura River. (Picture right: South African Infantry Patrol)
The unit moved with British forces south as it was further decimated. For much of the remainder of 1916, the 7th was marched back and forth to relieve troops being ambushed by the Germans. Earning them the title "Fighting Seventh". On the 26th of October the 7th, Artillery, 4th South African Horse, and Fairweather's Motorcyclists relieved a unit of Artillery in Iringa under siege. The 7th had marched 72 miles in 74 hours, to fend off the German trying to retake Iringa. The men of the 7th; fatigue, mostly sick, and with low morale, repelled probing attacks. The Germans seeing their position being outflanked, by horse and motorcycles, fell back.
On the 7th of March, 1916 saw a much more favorable 2nd Battle of Salaita. With flanking maneuvers and heavy bombardment, the Germans were forced to retire and the troops charged the heights to find only a handful casualties. The bulk of the Germans and all their supplies had fled into the jungle.
The fighting again intensified on the 10th of March. Unknown to Smuts, the Germans still held the "nek" between the Latema and Reata Hills an obstacle 700 feet above the open plains covering the advance to Moshi. After several probing attacks, the 7th was ordered to fix bayonets and take the heights at night. Colonel Freeth successfully took the heights and held the position throughout the night. Early the next morning, before light, General Smuts ordered a withdrawal. But at daybreak it was discovered the 7th, 2nd Rhodesians, and 3rd King's African Rifles where still holding the hill a mist German counter attacks. Only by the skins of their teeth with hand to hand fighting and using capture German fire-arms were they able to hold the Germans at bay. When a relief force; of Artillery, armored cars, and the 8th South African Infantry, forced the Germans to retreat in good order. Freeth was awarded the DSO for his leadership.
In the wake of the last action, the Germans in the area were forced to withdrawl from around Moshi. Everywhere British units were to capture German units. But to disapoinment of General Smuts, they instead were only able to push back the enemy and capture more and more territory. The unit was given a respite until the 18th of March. Where it was given the order to attack Paul Von Lettow's forces in the Kahe area, taking causalities in the hills in five days of fierce combat. Smuts commited much of his Infantry to bayonet attacks and charges. These attacks worked at driving the enemy back, but they were costly. Seeing his position collapsing, Paul Von Lettow withdrew his forces out of the hills into the jungles to the south.
The 7th was kept in reserve in the wake of the battle with the Germans. But the men still had to battle the "Fever Belt" or "Jungle Sickness" carried by bugs and hanging in the air they travelled through. With the subsiding of the rains the advance resumed, 18th of May. Men where expected to live off two pieces of hardtack a day as they marched, were ambushed by Germans, and under mosquito bombardment. Only after six weeks and 250 miles was the advance through the jungle halted on the 24th of June along the Lukigura River. (Picture right: South African Infantry Patrol)
The unit moved with British forces south as it was further decimated. For much of the remainder of 1916, the 7th was marched back and forth to relieve troops being ambushed by the Germans. Earning them the title "Fighting Seventh". On the 26th of October the 7th, Artillery, 4th South African Horse, and Fairweather's Motorcyclists relieved a unit of Artillery in Iringa under siege. The 7th had marched 72 miles in 74 hours, to fend off the German trying to retake Iringa. The men of the 7th; fatigue, mostly sick, and with low morale, repelled probing attacks. The Germans seeing their position being outflanked, by horse and motorcycles, fell back.
In the aftermath of the attack on Iringa, the 7th with only a small roster left was regulated to reserve of the 3rd South African Infantry Brigade. On the 31st of January, 1917, the 7th arrived at the Central Railway, which ran across German East Africa, at Dodoma. There they were granted leave until the end of March. During the months of April and May the unit underwent changes. Major Thompson was made unit commander when Colonel Freeth was considered too sick for service in East Africa. (Pictured left: Armoured Car awaiting deployment in East Africa)
With just under 800 men the 7th was attached to #1 Colum of Hanforce (See Appendix 6, Edward Paice), fighting in Portuguese East Africa at Mnindi, Matandawala, and Narungombe in July of 1917. After these skirmishes and constant sickness the unit fell to under strength. But instead of disbanding, the unit was outfitted with a number of captured German Maxims and newly imported Lewis Guns. The "Fighting Seventh" was remade effectively into a machine gun battalion. It would attach some it's men and a few machine guns to infantry and armoured car patrols until the demobilization orders on the 25th of December, 1917.
The 7th South African Infantry was disbanded and it's troopers either were folded into other White Colonial units in East Africa. While others choose to join the war abroad in places like France, Greece, and the Middle East. Still a few were shipped home being sick with a small minority returning to civilian life. The 7th had done it's duty in the Hills, Jungles, and Plains of East Africa.
With just under 800 men the 7th was attached to #1 Colum of Hanforce (See Appendix 6, Edward Paice), fighting in Portuguese East Africa at Mnindi, Matandawala, and Narungombe in July of 1917. After these skirmishes and constant sickness the unit fell to under strength. But instead of disbanding, the unit was outfitted with a number of captured German Maxims and newly imported Lewis Guns. The "Fighting Seventh" was remade effectively into a machine gun battalion. It would attach some it's men and a few machine guns to infantry and armoured car patrols until the demobilization orders on the 25th of December, 1917.
The 7th South African Infantry was disbanded and it's troopers either were folded into other White Colonial units in East Africa. While others choose to join the war abroad in places like France, Greece, and the Middle East. Still a few were shipped home being sick with a small minority returning to civilian life. The 7th had done it's duty in the Hills, Jungles, and Plains of East Africa.
Uniform Requirements Woolsey Pith Helmet 1902 SD khaki Drill tunic and trousers/ shorts 1908 Webbing and Lee-Enfield #1mk3 puttees and ammo boots Recommended: Springbok hat badge with "Union is Strength- Endracht maakt macht" Cloth cover to shade neck and "White and Maroon Diamond cloth flash for right side of Pith Helmet" (Peter Abbott). |
Pictured above is the 25th Royal Fusiliers. Who wore equipment from the same stores to those of the 7th South African Infantry. Those serving along the Taveta/ Kilimanjaro Front in 1916 were equipped with similar equipment in an effort to uniform the fighting force invading German East Africa. (Edward Paice)
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Above Sources:
(Peter Abbott, Armies in East Africa. 2002.)
(Edward Paice, World War 1: The African Front. 2008.)
http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol073et.html
Pictures from: Imperial War Museum unless noted otherwise
(Peter Abbott, Armies in East Africa. 2002.)
(Edward Paice, World War 1: The African Front. 2008.)
http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol073et.html
Pictures from: Imperial War Museum unless noted otherwise