Battle of Lioma

Belligerents

Commanders and leaders Gen. Maj. Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
Gen. Maj. Kurt Wahle
Hptm. Karl Göring (WIA)
Hptm. Erich Müller
Hptm. Max Poppe (WIA)
Hptm. Paul Stemmermann Lt-Col George Giffard
Lt-Col Charles Phillips
Maj Alexander Masters (WIA)
Capt Stanley JohnUnits involved

Schutztruppe

Abt Göring: 2. FK, 3. or 13. FK; 3. SchK
Abt Müller: 9. FK, 3. or 13. FK; 4. SchK
Abt Poppe: 11. FK; 6. SchK
Abt Stemmermann: 10. FK, 14. FK
Main body/baggage escort: 4. FK, 17. FK, 21. FK

King's African Rifles

Lioma garrison: 1/1st KAR
KAR Second Column ("KARTUCOL"): 1/2nd KAR, 2/2nd KAR, 3/2nd KAR

Strength 1,600+c. 3,000Casualties and losses 29 killed, 27 wounded, 34 missing, 5 captured (German claim)
222 killed, missing or captured (British claim) 32 killed, 59 wounded, 15 missing among 1/1st KAR; casualties of other British battalions unreported

Battle of Lioma (Africa)

The Battle of Lioma (30–31 August 1918) was fought between the German Empire and British Empire during the East African Campaign of World War I. Having successfully evaded the Allies since late 1917, the German Schutztruppe under Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck waged a guerilla campaign in Portuguese East Africa, attacking and raiding settlements as well as forts in the search of supplies while inflicting as much damage as possible on the Allies. All the while, the Schutztruppe was chased by the British King's African Rifles, which finally cornered the Germans at the village of Lioma on 30–31 August 1918. Led by George Giffard, the British forces almost managed to encircle and destroy the Schutztruppe, but in the end the Germans broke out and successfully retreated. Although greatly weakened by the fighting at Lioma, the Schutztruppe was thus able to remain active until the end of the war.