Medical Services in Togoland, Cameroons and South West Africa

[athelstan]

Thanks for the link.  There are some great photographs here, some of places I have struggled to find images of.  Was hoping there would be one of Bafilo, about 50km east of Bassari, where on 13th August 1914 one of the invading French columns suffers a temporary setback as the German forces for once put up some determined resistance.  An image of Bafilo remains elusive.

 

regards

James W

[FlamingOnion]

grandfather visited bafilo 1913 for a couple of days, for what its worth, reports the 'station of bafilo' as being on the top of a plateau with steep drop down to the town below. No photos as yet...

[FlamingOnion]

I have managed to put together this view of at least part of the town of Baffilo. This i put together from several images taken by my grandfather in late 1913 but doesn't show the colonial station - but quite possiby may have been taken from it. Anyway, gives some impression of what was there...

[athelstan]

That's splendid.  Thank you.  Agree it could be taken from the colonial station looking down from its hill top location and yes it does give a real impression of what was there.  I will post some (scant) details about what happened on 13th August 1914 later.

james w

[athelstan]

For anyone who might be interested the action at Bafilo on 13^th August 1914 the details are somewhat sketchy.  Advancing across the border from Djougou in French West Africa (now Benin) the column of 158 men led by Assistant Administrator Sarran is made up of 52 auxiliary policemen, 100 supporters/porters and six Europeans. 

Along with Sarran the six include a Monsieur Ponchon, customs officer from Stmkré and special agent Annet from Fournier.  Who the other three European were is unrecorded although there is a reference to a Monsieur Sommerfeld who, arrives the night before escorting a machine gun. 

The action takes place in the evening of 13^th August 1914 when the vanguard of the advancing French column opens fire at long distance on a German patrol.  The Germans fight back injuring at least one of the auxiliary policemen.  Taking advantage of the darkness of the Togoland night and recruiting porters the Germans slip away in the early hours of the morning.

As mentioned in a previous post this is a rare occasion in the Togoland campaign when the Germans put up more of  a stiff resistance and the Allies’ advance is checked albeit temporarily.

Sarran’s column eventually reaches Sokodé on 25th August.

Any further information very welcome.

 

James W

Main Source:  The History: Sokodé, 1914 – The Germans Evacuate North Togo by J.C. Barbier