Talk Details
The talks last from 45mins to 60 mins followed by questions and all are on a Thursday evening starting at 18:00 – 19:30.
Thursday 7th December 2023 at 6.00pm
The First World War is mostly known for static trench warfare in Europe, with occasional massive battles.
However, there were smaller actions, of very different character, elsewhere in the world, including Africa.
Early in the war, the Germans had control of Lake Tanganyika, a large inland lake. The Royal Navy wanted to defeat them.
The British appointed the colourful, if eccentric, Lieutenant-Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson to command this campaign.
What followed was a classic “Boy’s Own” adventure of courage and daring.
Two converted motor boats (named HMS Mimi and Toutou) were taken to South Africa, and were then carried and dragged overland,
several thousand miles, to the Lake. Surviving various crises, Spicer-Simson was eventually victorious.
