African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 746 - 50 - s - Besieged on All Sides

The current influence of the navy on the South African situation cannot play a dominant role, mainly due to Britain's lack of a stable stronghold in nearby waters. Historically, the British annexed Zanzibar to restrain German East Africa, but now Zanzibar has long since fallen to East Africa.

The absence of Zanzibar as a strategic pivot has led to a loss of British naval power throughout the Western Indian Ocean. British naval forces in the South African region are primarily concentrated in Cape Town, but influenced by the Suez Canal, these forces have not seen much growth over the years.

On the contrary, the strength of the naval forces in Alexandria, British Somaliland, and the Mediterranean Fleet has been comprehensively enhanced, reflecting the importance of the Red Sea route.

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Compared to the navy's performance, the army is the mainstay of this South African war. As the Battle of Lamu Bay began, the Allies launched attacks on East African soil from multiple regions.

East Africa was suddenly under military pressure from the south, east, and west, while the north remained peaceful. However, this is mainly because the Sudan region is disadvantageous for marching, and Britain is currently unable to launch a military campaign against northern East Africa through Egypt, while the military strength of British Somaliland has diminished, lacking the conditions for a land war.

Nevertheless, military pressure from three directions still posed a significant threat to the East African Defense Army. Angola, South Africa (Cape Town and the Boer Republic), Mozambique, with hundreds of thousands of troops, simultaneously launched attacks on the hinterlands of East Africa, marking the first time East Africa faced a manpower shortage in Africa.

First Town.

Count Arman reported the current war situation in East Africa to the government. This information was compiled from various fronts and transmitted back to First Town via the East African telegraph system within a day for the General Staff and government to reference.

"Currently, the Portuguese army on the Angolan front exerts pressure on us mainly from two directions. The forces of the western military district can only delay their military actions and cannot organize a large-scale counterattack. The three provinces in the west are considered buffer zones in the army's plans, and we must implement scorched earth tactics in the west to prevent large-scale offensives from obtaining effective material supplies. However, this also means abandoning years of construction in the western region."

"We must block the Portuguese in the west, preventing them from invading the central regions of our country. As for implementing scorched earth tactics in the west, it is feasible. Apart from agriculture, the west does not have significant valuable industries. Even agriculture accounts for less than three percent of East Africa's share, and the population is relatively small, allowing for a complete withdrawal to the rear, which will not have much impact on our country."

"In the south, the combined military forces of the Boer Republic and Britain, with the latter as auxiliary, have simultaneously launched offensives on the Fite River line and along the Orange River. However, we have invested military forces in this area for many years, especially the Fite River line, which, after years of development, can be considered impregnable."

"The main military pressure in the south lies on the Tugela River line. Britain has accumulated a large force in the Natal colony, so the Tugela River line is most likely to be breached. Furthermore, the situation at New Hamburg Port City, behind the Tugela River, is also not promising. To the north is Maputo, where British and Mozambican Allied forces have already moved south."

"So currently, it seems that Britain and Portugal intend to first obliterate our military presence in the Southern Border Province to consolidate their forces. If they succeed in this, the British and Portuguese Allied forces can free up significant manpower to enter the southern part of our country."

"Moreover, the very concerning aspect now is that our forces in New Hamburg Port City are weak. Therefore, the General Staff believes troops should be transferred from Heixinggen Province to take control of the rail and road passages in the Drakensberg Mountains. This is to prevent the British and Portuguese Allied forces from using the railways to launch offensives westward after New Hamburg Port City falls. Otherwise, the southern military district could be encircled by the Three Kingdoms military forces in the Orange River basin."

New Hamburg Port City can be considered the most 'troublesome' nail East Africa has driven into South Africa. Its presence prevents the Mozambican and British Natal colony's hundreds of thousands of troops from joining forces.

At the same time, this narrow strip of land is the main maritime passage for the five southern provinces of East Africa, providing the fastest economic connection with the eastern part of East Africa.

However, precisely because of this, the situation at New Hamburg Port City is not viewed optimistically by the General Staff. It is pinched between enemy forces on two sides, lacks wide lands for buffering, and faces threats from the naval forces of two national regions.

Thus, the military pressure on New Hamburg Port City is unprecedented. Britain and Portugal will undoubtedly launch frenzied attacks in the area. As long as New Hamburg Port City remains in East African hands for a day, the Allies cannot smoothly proceed with their next military actions against East Africa.

After all, the Allied headquarters in Maputo is only a few days' journey from New Hamburg Port City. It's even more convenient via sea, forcing them to consider the possibility of East Africa launching a military counterattack centered on New Hamburg Port City.

Count Arman continued: "On the eastern front, at the border of Matebel Province, the Portuguese and British have concentrated at least tens of thousands for tentative attacks on our eastern front. Especially, several important military strongholds have borne substantial pressure. However, using the advantage of the terrain, these strongholds are currently firmly in our hands."

"Then there's the Zambezi River defense line, where the Allied forces' attack intentions are not strong. Thus, we can confirm that the Allies' primary offensive direction is our south-central region. Currently, the main pressure on the east comes from the sea."

"The naval battle in Lamu Bay has just ended, and with our navy's main forces intact, relying on the eastern naval base, there is no immediate security issue. The British expeditionary fleet hasn't even reached as far as Mombasa City."

This is undoubtedly the main credit to the navy. If the British were truly to bypass Mombasa and reach the Tanga line sea area, then the East African Guard Division could consider organizing a defense centered on the Capital First Town City. That would indicate that East Africa's political center is under significant threat.

If that were the case, relocating the capital would become a necessary consideration. As things stand, it's not yet necessary. Firstly, the navy withstood the first wave of British attacks; secondly, even if the naval forces were completely wiped out, the Guard Division's naval forces can continue to undertake coastal defense functions. At last, the coastal defense system built by Ernst along the East African coast can also play a role.

There are only three large ports along the coastal areas of the Central Province suitable for a large-scale enemy landing, all equipped with European-grade large-caliber coastal defense guns.

Even if this last layer of defense is broken, the army would take over the battlefield, and by that time, the East African government could have already evacuated along the railway to the rear.

"Currently, no signs of British troop movements have been detected in the north. However, suspicious individuals have been spotted along the banks of the Nile River. This intel was discovered by the National Defense Security Bureau in Kashim, Egypt. No military has infiltrated Kashim, so the Nile Province remains in a secure condition. Yet, the appearance of suspicious individuals suggests the British might be considering dispatching troops from Egypt to East Africa. Thus, we must remain vigilant in this direction."

"Lastly, there's British Somaliland, which is the weakest region in terms of British military strength in areas bordering us. Therefore, it poses no threat to us."

"The current national defense security situation is just as anticipated before the war. Our position now is akin to being surrounded by enemies, especially underestimating the war potential of the British, Portuguese, and Boers. This South African war has evidently been a nearly decade-long plan, aimed at delivering a fatal blow to our military forces."