Meanwhile the two German companies left by von Lettow-Vorbeck at Chigugu had made their way across to a spot north of the main camp and a mile or so up the road, where the 25th Cavalry had their encampment. They found it practically undefended, and they in a few moments reduced it to a woeful state of chaos. The horses left in it were slaughtered, stores and equipment were destroyed, and everything which was spoilable was completely ruined.
The 129th Baluchis had been sent forward to support the 1st Battalion of the 3rd King’s African Rifles on the Mission Hill, and the camp was taken over by the Gold Coast Regiment with the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd King’s African Rifles in reserve. The enemy force which had demolished the camp of the 25th Cavalry, twice attempted to attack during the day, but on both occasions were beaten off without difficulty. That was all that these two companies were able to achieve, and von Lettow-Vorbeck’s main attack having met with no success, the Germans drew off, probably in the direction of Massassi. The enemy’s troops had been worked with merciless severity during the past few days. They had fought two severe actions on the Lindi road, and thereafter had covered by dint of forced marches a distance of not less than fifty miles. Without rest or refreshment they had then been launched upon an attack against Lukuledi, where they had encountered very effective resistance from the 1st Battalion of the 3rd King’s African Rifles. The prisoners captured were pitifully exhausted; and there can be little doubt that von Lettow-Vorbeck on this occasion subjected his willing troops to a strain beyond their strength.
In these circumstances it is all the more regrettable that at this moment orders were received by No. 1 Column to fall back on Ruponda. This order was dictated not by choice but by necessity. “Hanforce” was still based for its supplies upon Kilwa Kisiwani, which was distant from Ruponda by road very nearly one hundred and fifty miles. It had been hoped that by this time the provisioning of the columns might be supplemented by supplies landed at Lindi, which is only seventy odd miles from Lukuledi; but the very stout resistance which “Linforce” had encountered had prevented it from advancing westward from its base for much more than half that distance. Already, after the fight at Nahungu, difficulties of supply and transport had compelled the British Command to detach the Nigerian Brigade from the troops thrusting south from the Kilwa area, and had caused it to transfer itself to “Linforce.” Now, once again, the ever-lengthening lines of communication behind “Hanforce” had imposed upon the machinery of transport a strain which threatened it with a serious break-down. There was no alternative, therefore, but temporarily to shorten those lines, and though it was realized that the moral effect which a retirement would produce at this juncture could not but be deplorable, orders were issued for the column to fall back.
Accordingly, at 8.30 p.m. on the 22nd October, No. 1 Column began its march back to Ruponda. To the Gold Coast Regiment which, during the advance, had so often acted as advanced guard, the position of rear-guard was now assigned, and it was not till 3 a.m., after the last of the long train of laden men and animals had finally crawled out of camp, that the Regiment, too, set forth upon the road. All fires were left burning, and everything was done to prevent the enemy from detecting the movement which was in progress. Chingwea, twelve miles up the road, was reached without incident, and at 3.30 p.m. the retirement to Ruponda was continued. Ruponda was reached by the Gold Coast Regiment and the perimeter of the camp was taken over by it at 9.40 a.m. on the 23rd October.
From this date until the 7th November the Gold Coast Regiment remained in the standing camp which had now been formed at Ruponda, furnishing patrols which kept in touch with No. 2 Column to the east, drilling the men for three hours daily, and training gun-teams for the Stokes Battery with which it had now been provided.
On the 7th November No. 1 Column resumed operations in the Chigugu-Lukuledi area, and marched without incident to Chingwea. Here it learned that “Linforce,” which was still fighting its way down the Lindi-Massassi road, had the day before been in action against eight of von Lettow-Vorbeck’s companies, and that after the engagement the enemy had retired in the direction of Nangus, which is on the main road at a spot about twenty miles east by north of Lukuledi, and about the same distance north-east of Massassi.
On the 8th November No. 1 Column marched to Igumi on the left bank of the Lukuledi River, seven miles below the mission station; and on the following day, it pushed on to Chigugu, on the main Lindi-Massassi road. This place is distant only about ten miles south-west of Nangus, where von Lettow-Vorbeck’s forces were reported to be encamped.
Meanwhile No. 2 Column had crossed the rear of No. 1 Column and had occupied Lukuledi, whence it made a strong reconnaissance to Ndomondo on the Lukuledi River, two and a half miles up-stream from Igumi. None of these movements met with any opposition from the enemy.
On the 10th November, No. 1 Column pushed on east by south to the mission station at Ndanda, and a high ridge on the south of this place was occupied by the 129th Baluchis and the 55th Rifles, which had now joined the Column. Only slight opposition was met with and four Europeans were captured, and an enemy hospital was found containing 54 sick and wounded German combatants, and 120 Askari. There were also at this place a number of civilians and several European women and children.
The 1st Battalion of the 3rd King’s African Rifles occupied the village, and the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd King’s African Rifles took up a position on the road leading from Ndanda to Nangus. The rest of No. 1 Column encamped at the mission station. Word was here received that “Linforce” was only three miles to the east of Nangus, and that No. 2 Column had occupied Chigugu, where No. 1 Column had spent the preceding night. Thence they had advanced toward the mission station at Jumbe Nwinama, which lies about two and a half miles to the east, where they had come into collision with the enemy.