Africa.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 60, 10 July 1915, Page 5

Africa.

Botha's Supreme Success

ENTIRE GERMAN FORCES SURRENDER.

HOSTILITIES CEASE.

Press Association Extraordinary

(Received 9.20 a.m.)

Pretoria, July 9.

Official.—The entire German forces have surrendered to General Botha, and hostilities hava ceased.

General Louis Botha's campaign in German South-West Africa was at first severely handicapped by the abortive rebellion in the African Union. Still progress has been strongly made lately. In late August the Germans showed activity in raiding the Union territory, and thence on our forces suffered reverses and gains alternately. However on September 18 General Botha struck a decisive blow by capturing Ludritz Bay and one of the railway tremini. On September 27 this force, surprised a German post at Anichab, but at the same time a British force operating in the South-East angle of the German frontier near Wannbad was surprised and defeated at Sandfontein. This defeat led to the discovery of the Marit/.-Beyers-De Wet rebellion and from thence the Union troops were busy breaking it. When the rebellion was put down Botha sent three columns against the Germans: the Central force from Angra Pcquena, the Southern force from the Orange River, and the Eastern force from bechuaualand. Very shortly Kietmanshoop was captured and by keeping the enemy on the run Windhoek, the capital town, was captured. The enemy were still relentlessly pursued, and eventually defeated in succession at Kribib, Otavi and Isumeb. Isumeb is the terminus of the northern railroad, and beyond that is very wild country. Evidently the Germans did not relish the idea of taking refuge in tlie wilds, and seeing that they were in a hopeless position, have surrendered. The whole campaign reflects credit on General Botha and his forces. fiie territory is largely desert, ami the question of bringing up the heavy guns through the sand was difficult. I However, Botha's generalship and in- ' genuity overcame these difficulties, I land success was his. "

UNION FORCES PROGRESS.

United Press Association. Capetown, July !>. Official: Colonel Myburgh lias reached Fsumeb, thirty miles north of Otavi, capturing eti route six hundred prisoners and some guns and releasing 'British prisoners. Colonel Brits, In 'an immense westerly detour, took 150 prisoners and released the remainder of the Union troops captured. SIX HUNDRED PRISONERS. The High Commissioner reports:— It is officially reported in Capetown that the Union forces reached Isumeb. which is thirty miles north of Otavi, and v, as lately occupied, making HOD prisoners en route.