While at Makindu I did some reconnaissance and sketching for G.H.Q., and saw much of the bush country beyond the camp. The following notes of one such reconnaissance will serve to give an idea of its nature and the type of country.
Reconnaissance Patrol
With View to Flanking Enemy’s Position in Ruhungu Hills
Patrol undertaken to investigate country on east flank out to the track crossing from Massimbani to Legero, which is well behind the German position. Patrol left Makindu at 4 a.m. on the 1st of August, 1916, and returned to Makindu 3 p.m. on the 3rd of August, 1916. Our southerly direction, from point of setting out, was held on a bearing of 160 degrees throughout the advance to Massimbani track. The distance, reckoned by time, from starting-point to Massimbani track is about twelve miles. The distance to intermediate grass track crossing from Mssente to Ruhungu is about 4¼ miles. The first seven miles is good and fast-going for vehicle road through open forest—little forest cutting should be necessary, and no grading. The last five miles of the total distance passes through some parts of less open forest, and some timber felling will be necessary in places. In this locality a few narrow “islands” of dense bush—lying east and west—will be encountered, but these may always be evaded by keeping round their western extremities. No rivers, or soft river-beds were encountered; throughout the surface soil is dry and hard. Where the Mssente track was crossed, the bearing on to the Ruhungu position was 260 degrees. Said bearing follows down an open grass valley which is unobstructed by forest and in full view of Ruhungu hills. The mountain range appeared close at the Mssente track, at most some two to four miles distant, but the range viewed from the Massimbani track appeared far off, and as if viewed from a lower level. By eye I judged the distance here to be eight to ten miles, and later, sketching out the course of the patrol, I find it to be 8½ miles. The impression given me, and this is borne out, was that in avoiding Massimbani village we were very wide of the hills and the enemy’s line of communication to his positions in front. In regard to this I might state that, after crossing over the Mssente track about a mile, a bearing of 5 degrees to 7 degrees would draw in more closely to the mountain foothills, and might have better results. From the Massimbani track a long, fairly low range of hills was apparent in the distance, tailing off south beyond the prominent peak of Kanga (elevation 3,280 ft.). The Mssente track was a mere path in the grass and had no appearance of being much in use. The broad Massimbani track is apparently one of long standing, and had appearance of being much used by the enemy, though no movement was observed while for some hours we lay hidden on watch. There was no telephone line on the Massimbani track.
On the return journey the patrol held slightly easterly until, after going three miles, the Lukigura River was struck. The course of the river was then followed for about 2½ miles. Kwa-Beku, where shown on field map, was not observed. Kraals were seen on the opposite side of a lagoon on the river, after we had followed its course for about a mile, and signs of grazing cattle were noticed near here, but the huts across the river appeared uninhabited. The route by the course of the Lukigura River is obstructed by dense patches of jungle, and the going is bad. If it were necessary to approach the river for purpose of securing water for animals and troops, I would state that a short distance north of the Massimbani track, say two miles, the open forest runs out to the river-bank and access to water could here be easily accomplished.
Such was a manner of unravelling the mystery of the important and unknown details of the map in this ever new and strange country.
5th August, 1916.—At 3.30 a.m. the camp was astir—to-day we were to march, to-day we were again to begin active operations. After great overnight operations, this morning we trekked out from Makindu on the road back to Kwa-Direma, for it transpired that we were, as Divisional Reserve, to take part in an encircling right flank movement through the Nguru Mountains between the main block of hills and the Kanga-Kilindi range, on the eastern side of which the enemy stronghold sheltered. Arriving at Kwa-Direma about midday, we found a large concentration of forces there composing General Hannyngton’s Brigade and part of the Divisional Reserve. Previous to our arrival mounted South African troops under General Brits had already left to commence the advance through the hills.
The following two days I have no wish to recall, but that they are necessary to this narrative. We began, and laboured incessantly to advance our column of troops and transport into hill country that proved to be quite impassable, for any but unburdened man or beast, owing to its succession of deep valley bottoms and steep untracked hills. But nevertheless we laboured on for two days, on such strenuous work as cutting roads through forest, laying corduroy logging over swamp marsh, and, at the hills, inspanning two to three complete teams of mules or oxen to drag each wagon with excessive effort up the stupendous grades. At the end of the second day, after we had in all covered some eight to ten miles, the project was abandoned, and we received orders to return the way we had come.
OPERATIONS AGAINST RUHUNGU FAIL
Next day we again reached Kwa-Direma, and none were sorry to be out of those hills. Meantime the operations that had been going on, on both flanks, with a view to attacking or surrounding the Ruhungu positions unaccountably failed to get to grips with the enemy, who, probably in fear of a rear attack, succeeded in secretly evacuating their stronghold while the mounted troops were working their way through the hills. This was to all a big disappointment, but the extremely awkward nature of the country proved again the enemy’s disconcerting ally and for him his saving. This operation was, perhaps, meant to be our greatest effort to force a decision—at least so did we, at the time, regard it.