THE BATTLE OF OLDOROBO HILL (SALAITA HILL)

Salaita  is near modern day Taveta town, Kenya, it  is a sun baked hill in isolation, were it not for occasional cartridges, unexploded ordinance and trenches very little gives it away as a scene that has witnessed a major historical battle. It was a strategic look out post and major base for German railway communication and an important tactical point for the British ambitions to penetrate German East Africa. British intelligence showed it was defended by a small detachment of 300 men with no artillery, an error that would cost them dearly. The British command tasked to attack Salaita was led by brigadier General Beve’s  2^nd South African Infantry brigade and first East African brigade. In addition was the Indian artillery brigade, in total there were 6000 men.

The allied forces began their assault on the morning of February 12 1916 with the bombardment of German positions on the hill.  Unknown to them Salaita hill was highly defended by approximately 1,300 men under the command of local commander Major George kraut. Due to poor intelligence they attacked trenches and positions in the summit, instead of the front lines further downhill. It alerted the Germans of the impending attack with little disorganisation or determent of their ability to repulse the enemy.

Allied forces with aerial support began to advance at 0500 hrs, supported by scouts, armoured cars, artillery and machine guns. After 0700hrs, 2 KM short of Salaita, Beve’s brigade assumed a loose formation; they came under sporadic fire from the enemy artillery. The brigadier deployed the 7^th SA Infantry Regiment (Lt. Col. J. C. Freeth) leading. 5th SA Infantry Regiment (Lt. Col. the Honourable J. J. Byron) echeloned on its left and the 6^th SA Infantry Regiment (Lt. Col. G. M. J. Molyneux) extending on the right. They penetrated the core positions of the enemy but were forced to withdraw due to heavy enemy fire. While withdrawing they were attacked on the right wing by the German relieving force commanded by Captain Schultz from Taveta, the brigades withdrew with some disorder to the northeast, having sustained 172 casualties. One of the principle reasons for the reverse is the lack of coordination between the South African and East African brigades. Their respective attack time had a difference of over 3 hours despite the fact they had a common target.

 The South African losses at Salaita hill are given as 138, 83 were from the leading unit the 7^th SA Infantry,6 killed,47 wounded and 30 missing.

A similar account was given by Gen Von-Lettow Vorbeck, leader of the German East Africa forces. In his book “REMINISCENCES OF EAST AFRICA” he recounts of considerable build up of troops to the East of mount Eldorobo. Mount Eldorobo would later after the battle be renamed Slaughter and corrupted to modern day Salaita. He beleaved the considerable build up was to train young European fighters from South Africa of how to manoeuvre and engage the enemy in the bush. He recounts how early in February the enemy advanced from the East with several regiments. He had plans the enemy would not get away, he would achieve this by means of a counter attack with Captain Schulz detachment in Taveta.  On 12^th February 1916, European troops advanced to 300 meters from Oldorobo Mountains. Head quarters at new Moshi considered an opportunity had presented its self and ordered fire to be opened. Schultz detachment was ordered to match from the rear and make a decisive attack on the enemy’s right or northern wing. He was to be later informed that the enemy had been repulsed with heavy losses. The numerous Howitzers shells that fell on their position hardly did any damage. The enemy retreated through the bush in disorder. They buried more than 60 Europeans. According to the prisoners of war and recovered documents the troops were 3 South African infantry Brigades and It seemed the men were recruited on the promise of acquiring farms and plantations.