To Strike Great Blows - World War One Mod

18 January, 1915
[The Fourth Battle of Jassin]:[H2H/Central)[HIS][GD]: Jassin
(also known in German sources as Jassini), was a small village
in an unhealthy area that became a large swamp after rainfalls
on the German side of the border between Deutches Ost Afrika
and British East Africa. Oberstletnant Lettow-Vorbeck stated
in his memoirs that his main objective in attacking Jassin was
to lure British troops from various camps into a trap by attacking
the outpost at Jassin. He issued orders to patrols to observe
the main roads and paths leading into the combat area. He chose
Jassin as the best possible set-piece battle zone for its logistic
advantages. The best troops of the Schutztruppe could be rapidly
moved from the Kilimanjaro area to the coast on the Usambara
Railroad. After a successful battle, the askari could be transported
by rail back to their original positions. The initial December
1914 British plans were created by Major-General Wapshare to
alleviate the refugee problem that had been created by the German
raids along the border. By the end of November it was estimated
that there were more than 5000 refugees sheltered and fed by
the British Colonial Office. To stabilize this situation, General
Wapshare deloyed a force of 1800 soldiers, with six machineguns,
under Brigadier General Tighe into the Umba area that included
Jassin. Oberstleutnant von Lettow-Vorbeck began moving troops
by rail on 16 January 1915 from the Kilimanjaro area. Once these
troops arrived at Tanga, all but one Feldkompagnie was immediately
moved north toward Jassin. These troops arrived at the Totohowu
(Mtotohovu) Plantation, about 11 kilometers south of Jassin,
on 17 January. The Germans managed to concentrate 244 Europeans,
1350 askari, approximately 400 Arab volunteers, 23 machineguns,
and four field guns within a few kilometers of the town without
being observed. Major Keppler was ordered to oblique the right
flank of Jassin with the 11. and 4. Feldkompagnien. Hauptmann
Adler was to oblique the left flank of Jassin with the 15. and
17. Feldkompagnien. Hauptmann Otto was ordered to attack the
town defenses frontally using the 9. Feldkompanie and Arabische
Korps along the main road. The reserve, consisting of Command
section, 7. Schuetzenkompanie (102 Europeans under the command
of Hauptmann Demuth), the Battaillon Schultz, consisting of the
1., 6, and 13. Feldkompagnien, two C73 fieldguns under Hauptmann
a. D. Hering, and one 4.7cm rapid fire gun and one revolver gun
under Leutnant d. L. Fromme, was located behind the Abteilung
Otto. Colonel Raghbir Singh (2/Jammu and Kashmir Rifle Battalion)
had two British officers, Captain G. J. G. Hanson and Captain
J. Turner, one company of the 101st Grenadiers (138 sepoys),
two companies of the 2/Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (144 sepoys),
a K.A.R. machinegun (9 askari), and a signaler section (6 sepoys)
in the town. There were also 40 sepoys of the 2/Jammu and Kashmir
Rifles defending the sisal factory. The scene was set for one
of the major battles of the East African campaign.[NO EA][1.02] Note-included bmp file to correct 3D problem!