ABSTRACT
The 1914–18 war impinged on Adamawa perhaps more than on any other Province of Nigeria, both during its actual course and in its subsequent charge of mandated territory. The post established on the outbreak of war at Bakundi to protect the southern borders of Muri was soon withdrawn, and the Germans occupied about 500 square miles of the Province. The Mounted Infantry, who provided the advance guard, were told that there was a minor German post of about one section strength at Tepe. The Germans had recalled their troops from Marua, had obtained reinforcements from Banyo, and had put Garua into a more than adequate state of defence. Cunliffe returned to Yola on 15 June, leaving Brisset at Garua to support Lieutenant-Colonel Webb-Bowen's thrust towards the south. The news of the set-backs to both the Yola and Maiduguri columns had an understandably adverse effect on local morale throughout Adamawa and beyond.
