The military campaign in German East Africa during World War 1 went on longer than the whole war and thanks to Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and his guerilla warfare is now infamous among the theatres of the great war. But what was the history behind German East Africa and was it really a gentleman's war and what role did the Askari play in it?

Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, also known as the Lion of Africa, was commander of the German colonial troops in German East Africa during World War 1. His guerilla tactics used againd several world powers of the time are considered to be one of the most successful military missions of the whole war. In Germany, he was celebrated as a hero until recently. But recent historical research show a picture much more controversial than the one of a glorious hero.

Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, auch bekannt als der Löwe von Afrika, war im 1. Weltkrieg Kommandeur der Schutztruppe in Deutsch Ostafrika. Sein Guerilla-Feldzug gegen die Kolonialen-Truppen mehrerer Weltmächte gilt als einer der erfolgreichsten Militäreinsätze des Krieges und von Lettow-Vorbeck wurde dafür in Deutschland als Held gefeiert. Doch das Bild, dass neueste Forschungen zeichnen, ist wesentlich kontroverser als die Heldenlegende vermuten lässt.