AFRICAN FRONT

The battles here were because of the imperial colonies. The war in East Africa was the longest of all – even as the Armistice was being signed in Europe on November 11, the German and British troops were still fighting here. There was action along the coast; in the West and south, the allies attacked German-held ports. Most of those who fought here were Africans or Indians. ‘Native carriers’ including women and children were used to carry supplies and ammunition and many died. 100,000 died in East Africa and 65,000 in French North Africa and French West Africa. The war also fuelled mutinies in some colonies.