Chapter 99: Offshore Defense System (Continued)
As the East African colonies developed their offshore defense system, the strategic placement of coastal artillery and forts was carefully considered. The allocation of artillery positions and resources was based on the significance of each port and the potential threats they faced.
Dar es Salaam Port and Mombasa Port, being the crown jewels of East African commerce and strategic importance, received the most extensive defense measures. With their long history and prime locations, each of these ports boasted eight artillery positions, ensuring a formidable deterrent against maritime threats.
Tanga Port and Bagamoyo Port, serving as critical links between Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, were placed in the second tier of importance. These ports, essential for maintaining sea connections, were equipped with six artillery positions each, striking a balance between defense and resource allocation.
Mtwara Port, while not as prominent as the others, was still significant, especially considering its location as the southernmost seaport in East Africa. It was categorized in the third echelon of importance and was defended with four artillery positions.
Additionally, several islands, such as Pemba Island and Mafia Island, played a crucial role in the coastal defense strategy. Pemba Island, with its historical ties to the Sultanate of Zanzibar, and Mafia Island, known for its tourist attractions, had both strategic and economic value. Pemba Island was allocated six artillery positions, while Mafia Island had two.
The result was an offshore defense system with a total of forty large-caliber coastal artillery pieces. While this number may seem limited, it was well-matched to the current size and capacity of East African ports, especially for deterring larger ships from approaching the coast.
Recognizing the need for flexibility in coastal defense, plans were made to introduce small-caliber artillery in the future. These smaller and more versatile artillery pieces would be crucial for addressing threats from smaller vessels. However, production would have to wait until the Hechingen Arsenal in Trieste was operational.
The Hechingen Arsenal's primary focus was to gain experience through the production of small-caliber artillery before advancing to larger-caliber guns. This approach aligned with the East African colonies' need for versatile firepower to address their current adversaries, primarily indigenous forces.
The East African colonies were mindful of the potential threat posed by Portugal's Mozambique colony and were committed to strengthening their defense capabilities. Trieste's Hechingen Arsenal would play a pivotal role in this endeavor, providing the necessary artillery for both the offshore defense system and the land border defenses against Portuguese forces.
To ensure the effectiveness of the offshore defense system, professionals from the Austrian Navy were invited to design it personally. Drawing on the Austro-Hungarian Empire's experience, especially during the naval battle of Lissa, the East African colonies would construct a robust defense structure, utilizing decommissioned naval guns and materials similar to those used in the Adriatic Sea defenses.
Ultimately, the East African offshore defense system was designed to be a formidable stronghold, replicating the effectiveness of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's defenses in the Adriatic Sea. While potential adversaries might hesitate to challenge such a system due to the high costs involved, the East African colonies remained vigilant and prepared for any contingencies, especially against the threat from Portugal.
With strengthened land defenses in the south and a comprehensive offshore defense system in the east, the East African colonies conveyed their readiness to protect their interests and maintain security in the region. In other directions, where expansion was the goal, the need for immediate defense was minimal, given the existing geographical barriers and the predominantly indigenous population to the north.