Photographs of the Campaign in German East Africa, Royal Navy Air Service.
A total of 239 photographs of varying sizes, contained in two modern photograph albums, one 290 x 295cm, the other 150 x 295cm, with flap-mounted photographs front and back, the larger album with all four columns full, the smaller with just one used. Abou [1916]
Most likely assembled by a member of the Royal Navy Air Service stationed at Chukwani, Zanzibar. He would seem to have been a more-or-less exact contemporary of Lincoln in his service with the R.N.A.S., arriving soon after the sinking of the Königsburg. A number of the images are either identical or similar to ones which are featured either by Lincoln or Whittingham, and this greatly assists with the identifying of those which are not captioned here. Those which are captioned in turn provide a useful cross-check with the identifications made by both Lincoln and Whittingham [see items 532 and 635]. The photographs mostly date from 1916 with the capture of the seaports of German East Africa, starting at Tanga and working southwards to Lindi and the border with Portuguese East Africa or the Rovuma River.
Amongst many striking images, ones that stand out are a series showing the Sultan of Zanzibar's visit to the Seaplane base, a set of pictures of a wrecked seaplane being recovered from the water, a wonderful picture of a seaplane being pushed into the water by six men, and an excellent picture of Zanzibar talen from a seaplane.
In all, a very important collection. Aside from an almost perverse mania to preserve the anonymity of individuals and groups, the collection provides a well-recorded account of the compiler's service in the East African campaign. From initial service at the R.N.A.S. base at Chukwani, he seems to have transferred to H.M.S. Himalaya for service during the bombardment and occupation of the coastal ports of German East Africa. Although anonymous, this fine group both enhances and broadens the scope of the other albums present here from the same theatres, as well as providing a valuable set of images in its own right.
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