Chapter 60: Marching to the Port of Dar es Salaam
Disguised in an Arabian robe, Dürer, a German, blended in seamlessly with the local environment as he rode a horse through the streets of Dar es Salaam. His fair skin and Arab attire allowed him to avoid arousing suspicion among the soldiers of the Sultanate of Zanzibar.
Dürer was on a critical mission. Initially, the East African colony had agreed not to station troops in Dar es Salaam. However, they had stationed a force of 200 soldiers on the border some distance from the city. This was done to prevent potential instability within the Sultanate of Zanzibar and ensure the safety of the route from the port of Dar es Salaam to the East African colonies.
For a country with a standing army of only a few thousand soldiers throughout the year, 200 well-equipped troops held significant sway. The East African colonies boasted over 8,000 armed forces, primarily consisting of Chinese immigrants, along with 2,000 Germans and over 300 Austro-Hungarian immigrants. They were dispersed across nearly 700,000 square kilometers of land in East Africa, with approximately 1,500 troops that could be rapidly mobilized.
As Dürer proceeded toward the border, he was stopped by East African colonial soldiers stationed in the Kibaha area, roughly forty miles from the port of Dar es Salaam. Upon identifying himself, Dürer was permitted to meet with Felix, the military chief stationed in Kibaha.
Dürer handed Felix a letter from Mr. Bazel, explaining the situation. After reading the letter, Felix questioned Dürer further. Dürer described the unusual military activity he had witnessed in Dar es Salaam that morning, including the presence of soldiers armed with live ammunition.
Hans Zhang, a staff officer, offered his analysis, emphasizing the importance of acting swiftly. He argued that reporting to the colonial government first and then waiting for orders would likely be too slow. The situation in Zanzibar might change rapidly, and they couldn't afford to lose control of the situation.
Felix agreed with Hans Zhang's assessment, recognizing that immediate action was necessary. He ordered the soldiers to gather and march toward the port of Dar es Salaam. Dürer was instructed to stay and rest, as he could return to Dar es Salaam later with the personnel responsible for immigrant acceptance.
Felix, a former Prussian soldier, was confident in his military prowess and believed that the Zanzibar army was no match for them. He had a fiery temperament, and his leadership style was reminiscent of Prussian officers. Hans Zhang, the staff officer, often served as a mediator, as his systematic military training from the Hechingen Military Academy allowed him to understand and support Felix's approach.
With orders issued, the soldiers quickly assembled and set off under Felix and Hans Zhang's leadership, heading eastward to the port of Dar es Salaam. Despite their small number, they displayed the discipline and vigor of a full regiment as they marched, raising dust along the way.
The situation in Zanzibar remained uncertain, and the soldiers of the East African colony were determined to maintain order and protect the safety of immigrants arriving at the port of Dar es Salaam.
(End of Chapter 60)