Arthur Edward Aitken (1861-1924) was the British commander who led the first notable incursion of the war into German East Africa, albeit disastrously, at the Battle of Tanga. Often referred to as "the battle of the bees" on account of the swarms of angry bees that interrupted fighting (both sides fleeing for cover), the Battle of Tanga was fought in early November 1914. Aitken an Indian army officer, had been handed command of Indian Expeditionary Force 'B' and instructed to capture German East Africa. Despite the fact that his force consisted of approximately only 8,000 ill-trained reserves Aitken was supremely confident that his men would "make short work of a lot of niggers". So confident indeed, that he forbore to undertake even rudimentary reconnaissance of the area. Matters turned out quite differently however. The German defence forces, which comprised many native troops, were led by Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, who had been careful to train his men in the Prussian manner. Lettow-Vorbeck, who never suffered a defeat during the war, lured Aitken's men further inland from their landing sites at Tanga harbour where they were met with enfilading fire. Utterly routed, Aitken's troops beat an ignominious retreat. The British hushed up the details of this defeat for several months.
This is interesting !! http://books.google.com/books?id=hd...um=6#v=onepage&q=Arthur Edward Aitken&f=false Aitken - Brigadier-General Arthur Edward - Indian Army - died 29th March 1924. Grave at the Protestant Cemetery, Rome, Italy - "In loving memory of Arthur Edward Aitken Brigadier General I.A. Born London May 25 1861 died Rome March 29 1924."
No picture but I found this !! Stone 274 274 Zona Vecchia; Cross 152 x 68 x 55 [m] Arthur Edward Aitken Born: 25/ 5/1861 at london England Died: 29/ 3/1924 aged 63 Britain Profession "brigadier general" 1 south side, reasonable condition, incised and coloured, primary inscription, English IN LOVING MEMORY OF ARTHUR EDWARD AITKEN BRIGADIER GENERAL I.A. BORN LONDON MAY 25. 1861 DIED ROME MARCH 29. 1924 IN CRUCE SALUS Iconography major on south side (i24) [3] chi rho minor on in general (i142) [3] cross, Celtic minor on in general (i142) [3] cross, Celtic http://www.dkinst-rom.dk/protcem/work/pcGB.html#Stone274
