Chapter 327: Going South
In East Africa, the geographical conditions did not favor the presence of rivers suitable for shipping due to two main reasons. Firstly, the topography consisted of large drops along all major rivers. Secondly, the climate brought significant seasonal variations in river water levels.
However, the Central Province was an exception. The terrain was relatively flat, and even during the dry season, there was ample precipitation. For example, the Ulugulu Mountains, the source of the Wami River and the Little Rhine River, received an annual average precipitation of over 3000 mm, thanks to their role in intercepting water vapor from the Indian Ocean.
The Rufiji River, originating from the mountains along Lake Malawi, also offered favorable conditions for canal construction. It flowed through a large area, providing substantial precipitation in its downstream catchment area.
After marching for half a month, the counter-insurgency army, consisting of South Salzburg Province's border guards and some armed militia led by Stewart, arrived at Bulawayo, the capital of the Matabele Kingdom. Along the way, the Ndebele people could not resist the well-equipped South Salzburg border guards.
The South Salzburg Border Guard, trained by graduates of the Hechingen Military Academy and veterans of the Franco-Prussian War, was armed with Dreiser rifles and mobile artillery. Their combat effectiveness was superior to many European forces, which proved advantageous in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Ndebele people, unlike the natives on the East African plateau, were not known for their long-distance running abilities. This was due to their agricultural and animal husbandry civilization, which did not require constant hunting for survival. Instead, they focused on farming and animal husbandry, which made them less adept at running long distances.
Casos, who acted as a guide for Stewart, had escaped from a previous Ndebele rebellion and was intimately familiar with the terrain. His knowledge of the local geography was invaluable during their campaign.
As they approached Bulawayo, Constantine ordered the army to prepare to cross a river. Kasos, their guide, assured them that the river's depth was manageable, even in the rainy season. Crossing the river proved uneventful, as the indigenous people lacked military strategies and did not attempt an ambush during the crossing.
In the Matabele Kingdom, knowledge was concentrated in the capital, with Lobengula's prime minister being one of the few knowledgeable individuals among the indigenous population. He had basic mathematical knowledge, inherited from his Swahili merchant father, which he used to monopolize tax collection and economic control within the kingdom.
The East African troops, including militia units, were well-trained and equipped with Dreiser rifles, making them formidable in combat. The Ndebele people, despite their knowledge, were primarily focused on supporting Lobengula's rule and lacked expertise in warfare. Their military leaders were often warriors with limited knowledge of strategy and tactics.
As the East African army approached Bulawayo, Lobengula received news of their advance. He was angered by the behavior of his military leaders who had retreated from the frontlines. Lobengula accused them of cowardice and blamed their lack of resistance on indulgence in alcohol and pleasure, claiming they had forgotten the Ndebele military traditions.
In the face of Lobengula's accusations, the group of aging military leaders remained silent, realizing that their failure had disgraced their Ndebele warrior heritage.
(end of this chapter)