African Entrepreneurship Record

As Count Roberts’ mindset changed, the South African battlefield saw a rather negative shift. The Allies, who had always taken the initiative to attack, abandoned their original style and turned instead to the normal operating mode of the army.

According to the previous state of the British forces, they aimed to directly use ”advanced” military weapons to immediately incapacitate East Africa, but they greatly underestimated this opponent.

In fact, the adjustment by Count Roberts also aligned with the thoughts of the frontline commanders. Don’t be misled by battle reports announcing ”great victories” frequently. In reality, the British frontline commanders were suffering silently, unable to openly admit their lack of preparation and the adverse outcomes caused by underestimating the enemy.

So Count Roberts’ orders provided them an escape, allowing the British commanders to become more professional in their tactical methods, but this also led to a sudden slowdown in the progress of the frontline warfare situation.

For East African Defense Army, this change was frustrating, because once the British command became more professional, they became harder to deal with.

As the situation changed, time quickly moved into May.

Neither side had achieved significant results. Although East Africa had the Maxim machine gun, a new type of weapon, and artillery comparable to the British forces, the Maxim machine gun, despite its enormous power, could be avoided with slight changes in tactics once the British forces adapted to it.

Meanwhile, Britain urgently propelled domestic production of the ”Maxim machine gun,” while also procuring a batch of Maxim machine guns from Belgium to apply to the South African battlefield.

With little disparity in strength between the two sides, it depended on who could further gain a tactical advantage, putting greater test on the military commanders’ ability.

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In the southern military district, the military advisors from Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire also arrived in South Africa.

As strong continental powers, both countries naturally paid attention to the South African war, actually drawing the attention of numerous Western countries as well to this unprecedented war.

However, Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire had a more convenient position than other countries, allowing them to delve into East Africa for observation and guidance.

Merk was the East African representative responsible for receiving the military advisory group, and he asked: ”How do you both evaluate the status of our East African Defense Army?”

”Throughout the journey, I’ve gotten a preliminary understanding of East Africa’s strength. Their army, regardless of discipline, logistics, or weaponry, is not inferior to many European military powers, so it’s not surprising the British find it difficult to achieve results here,” praised Hertzendorf, the leader of Austro-Hungarian Empire’s military advisory group.

”You’re right. At least in the frontline areas we previously visited, East African soldiers’ morale and combat awareness are much stronger than those of ordinary countries. With such excellent troops, they can support many wars even in Europe,” said Prittwitz, head of the Prussian advisory group.

The East African Defense Army focuses on building discipline, with strict implementation of various rules and regulations, though this is also built on East African Defense Army’s high military expenditure.

The only regrettable aspect is that as an immigrant nation, currently, the cohesion of East African citizens hasn’t reached the normal national standard. This point was considered by the East African General Staff before the war, thus leading to a more conservative approach.

However, compared to the British who traveled thousands of miles to fight in South Africa, East Africa’s war instead became a defensive war against invasion, adding to the legitimacy of the East African war to a certain extent, thus East Africa’s morale is higher than that of the British.

Moreover, over time, feedback from various fronts shattered the ”world’s number one power” filter of British forces, breaking East African soldiers’ stereotypes about Britain, and to a certain extent, boosting East Africa’s confidence in resisting the ”invaders.”

Of course, it was also coincidental, if Britain had started the war a month later, East Africa’s ”defense” war might have turned into an ”invasion” war.

”Is this the Maxim machine gun used by East Africa?” Prittwitz studied the domestically produced machine gun of East Africa.

”Our East African machine gun is called the 1885-type heavy machine gun. It indeed references some structures of the Maxim machine gun; however, the two came out almost simultaneously, mainly being the result of independent research and development by East African military industry.”

Prittwitz regarded the so-called 1885-type heavy machine gun, which had no difference from the Maxim machine gun, with disdain, thinking copying is just copying; it’s molded from the same model, not to speak of independent research.

Merk: ”The 1885-type heavy machine gun played a significant role in the early stages of the war, significantly hindering the British offensive. Coupled with trenches and barbed wire, it inflicted substantial casualties on the enemy. In the entire Tugela River battle, the Maxim machine gun killed over a thousand enemies, but its effectiveness was greatly reduced later as the British adjusted their tactics. Yet, it remains a good supplement to firepower.”

The Germans and Austro-Hungarians had no idea where the Tugela River was, but from Merk’s tone, they understood the Maxim machine gun played a significant role in the South African war.

The German army itself was also equipped with the MG80 heavy machine gun, so Prittwitz was very interested in the Maxim machine gun’s results.

”A weapon’s influence on war is ultimately limited, with greater consideration given to the commander’s ability and soldiers’ combat will,” Hertzendorf remarked from the side.

Merk did not refute: ”You’re right, currently the biggest problem between the East African Defense Army and the British is precisely this, neither side has a distinct advantage in weaponry and equipment, which also becomes an important constraint on war progress.”

Indeed, after East Africa and Britain actually engaged, everyone realized both sides were rookies. Britain, being a sea power, wasn’t strong in land forces compared to the navy.

Conversely, although East Africa is a land power country, East African land forces lack major war experience, leading to a military stalemate with Britain.

Under such circumstances, the competition focuses on both sides’ capability to endure the war. In this regard, it’s certain the East African Defense Army has the ”advantage”.

The longer the war lasts, without unforeseen events, East Africa’s advantage will grow, supported not only by national power but by the advantage of fighting on home ground too.

The Allies’ negative sentiments will also increase as the war drags on, with more errors by the enemy, boosting East Africa’s likelihood of victory.

However, this advantage hasn’t been fully realized yet, according to East African General Staff’s requirements; it’s now primarily exhausting the enemy. War is a complex system, reaching a critical point will be the great opportunity for East Africa to launch a counterattack.

Nevertheless, the East African Defense Army is also preparing forces, ready to offensively engage the Allies at several key battlefields, but this requires time.

Previously, the East African Defense Army hadn’t fully grasped the initiative of the war, having to react passively to the British changes, and such situation continued until after the British tactical adjustments.

Currently, the frontline between the British forces and East Africa has stabilized, providing East Africa with an opportune moment for counterattack, akin to a turn-based game where, after the British took the first move, it’s East Africa’s turn to play.

East Africa’s play direction is in the Boer Republic and northern Mozambique. These two battlefields have been under preparation by East Africa for two months, and the next step is the implementation phase.

Previously, the British and Allies launched a raid against East Africa from three directions, catching East Africa somewhat off guard. This time, East Africa plans to pressure the Allies on multiple fronts.

East Africa withstood the initial pressures of warfare, inversely, if the Allies cannot withstand it now, then this war can announce the Allies have switched to a passive state.