ABSTRACT
The Great War in Africa was the longest-running of the war, starting with the first shot in Togoland on 7 August 1914 and the final laying down of arms on 25 November 1918. During this period, there were campaigns in four German territories: Togoland, Kamerun, South West Africa, and East Africa, while British troops were diverted to Egypt and Somaliland for actions against the Senusi. Yet, for all this involvement of the African continent in the Great War, little was reported in the press at the time in both Africa and Britain.
This chapter will explore the nature of the press reports in each of the British African territories involved in the war, compare these to the press reports in the major British newspapers, and to how the war is remembered today. Particular consideration will be given to the role of Reuters, which came under Roderick Jones, news agent in South Africa until 1915, when he moved to England and took control on Baron Reuter’s death in 1916.
