African Entrepreneurship Record

December 12, 1888.

By the Sawei River.

While the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance was constructing a new command center and government office in Shao Kui, the East African troops, after nearly half a month of rest, were finally prepared.

Under the cover of night, East Africa’s 221st Division began crossing the river at the Mazanze ferry. The Sawei River stretches over 680 kilometers, so the Allies couldn’t deploy too many forces along every section of the Sawei River defense line.

The 221st Division chose to cross at the western part of the Sawei River. Due to climate and other reasons, this area is the most primitive region of Mozambique, barely developed by the Portuguese. If not for the East Africa conflict, the Allies might not have even dispatched a small unit here.

This southwestern region, also the area with the least rainfall in Mozambique, is scarce in rivers and sparse in vegetation. Even in modern times, it is merely a wildlife reserve in Mozambique. Such places, in the 19th century, were even more desolate.

Major-General Mars of the 221st Division was well aware of this.

”The British and Portuguese forces are mainly in the central and eastern Sawei River, while the west is sparsely populated. This gives us an opportunity but also means we will face challenges in supply and water, making logistical support more difficult.”

”Therefore, after crossing the river, our army will immediately advance eastward along the Sawei River to cooperate with other units, instead of heading directly south. This is the order from the General Staff Department, and I also believe it is a reasonable arrangement.”

River crossing operations were naturally launched from multiple locations. The Eastern Military District and the 221st Division engaged in deep collaboration. East African Defense Army has already crossed many such rivers like the Sawei River.

The many rivers in Mozambique mostly run east-west, so along the way, East African Defense Army frequently encountered rivers, and the level of Portuguese development in Mozambique is ridiculously low.

The majority of the rivers remain in their most primitive state, with few bridges, and these are certainly guarded by Portuguese forces.

Therefore, the East African Defense Army had to rely on its own skills. Most East African troops are equipped with such skills.

In East Africa’s decades-long campaign across Africa, the harsh natural conditions have never been an impediment to the progress of the East African Defense Army. Even most of East Africa hasn’t been effectively utilized and developed.

In such an environment, East African Defense Army naturally had to learn the skills of building bridges and paving roads, becoming essential tactics, just like the current few floating bridges built by the 221st Division.

Though appearing crude due to insufficient materials and hurried time, they still successfully met the 221st Division’s needs for crossing the river.

Stepping onto the southern bank of the Sawei River, Major-General Mars felt as if he could already see Maputo before him. Of course, this is not the time to pause here. With the successful crossing, the 221st Division should follow the General Staff Department’s plan to assist the brother units in heading south.

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First Town.

Minister Sivert, along with other military and political personnel, had already gathered. The South African War was now in its final countdown. After adequate rest for the troops, East Africa’s target is now Mozambique.

Ernst: ”Are all the troops prepared?”

Sivert: ”Currently, the combat forces of the three major military districts are ready. Additionally, parts of the Northern Military District and the Nile River Military District participate in this operation, with the newly formed 221st and 222nd Divisions of the Eastern and Northern Districts acting first.”

”The Western Military District is the strongest with the largest number, and some forces from the Nile River Military District will also cooperate with the Western District to conduct military operations in the east. The main battlefield of this war might be on the eastern defense line.”

”Lastly, the Southern Military District, whose main forces are currently around New Hamburg Port City, targets Maputo. However, Maputo might be tough to capture, so we continue to compress the British and Portuguese survival space from the west and north directions.”

”When the Anglo-Portuguese forces are pushed into the narrow southeastern region, they will face increasing difficulties. If military actions proceed smoothly, we could achieve victory ahead of schedule.”

Grand Duke Ferdinand: ”The navy has already collaborated with the Guard Division. We will assist the Guard Division in landing northeast of Maputo. Although there are no docking conditions there, we can only use small boats to send soldiers ashore.”

Southern Mozambique lacks excellent ports, and its coastline is almost as straight as the Somali region. This might also be why Maputo Bay became an important center for the Portuguese in Mozambique.

Of course, Mozambique continued to expand northward, making Maputo’s position in Mozambique quite unusual. However, this aligns with Africa’s geographical features, where the Portuguese almost fulfilled their expansion needs along the Mozambique Plain.

Nevertheless, the main impetus for subsequent Portuguese expansion was the serious pressure East Africa placed on Mozambique. Like Russia, the lack of security prompted a deep desire for land for buffering.

However, this Portuguese strategy proved effective, as the previously occupied land effectively slowed East Africa’s march. If Mozambique had maintained its previous territorial shape, East African forces might already be at the gates of Maputo.

After all, East Africa’s territorial expansion was so rapid that even the Zulu Kingdom in southern Mozambique was annexed by East Africa. Initially, the Zulu Kingdom was a buffer zone between Portugal and England. Before they could react, East Africa had already taken over. At that time, East Africa controlled territory reaching only up to the Limpopo River line.

On the map, the powers in the South African region were relatively balanced then, especially before the Ndebele people vanished.

However, East Africa disrupted the balance between these regions, directly threatening the safety of England and Portugal.

The most unfortunate was the Transvaal Republic, which was directly annexed by East Africa, as well as Swaziland and the Zulu Kingdom, which East Africa readily swept up.

If East Africa hadn’t annihilated the Zulu and Swaziland Kingdoms, Maputo’s position could be considered quite advantageous. After all, facing indigenous forces, the other parties hold enough confidence and advantage.

Even if the Boers gained an advantage in the area back then, it didn’t matter, as the Boers themselves were very backward, so even occupying the whole of South Africa, they wouldn’t dare to provoke the Kingdom of Portugal.

However, all of this changed because of East Africa’s interference, making East Africa the common thorn in the side and flesh wound of the remaining four forces.

”The Guard Division’s task is to take Maputo in collaboration with the Southern Military District, cutting off Maputo’s contact with the remaining Portuguese forces. This time the navy will also join the subsequent siege of Maputo, attacking from four directions. I don’t believe Maputo can withstand our pressure this time,” said Guard Division’s chief commander Flegain.

This time, the Guard Division dispatched only one brigade, yet a brigade from the Guard Division is equivalent to a main division force from other East African military districts.

The Guard Division’s participation marks East Africa’s first experiment in long-distance warfare, like when the British Expeditionary Force crossed the Indian Ocean attacking the Ethiopian Empire. This is East Africa’s first time deploying a large force by sea and land to a foreign enemy.

The involvement of the Guard Division signifies that nearly all parts of the East African military are participating in this encirclement of Mozambique, marking East Africa’s final battle against the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. If everything proceeds smoothly, Mozambique will follow Angola’s footsteps.