Imperial German Colonial Awards
German Togoland
Following the arrival of German missionaries in 1847, German trading companies founded all four German colonies in Africa in 1884. Unfortunately, the trading companies proved unable to manage a colony. Beginning in 1885, administration of the colony was ceded to the Imperial German government. The German desire to expand their holdings led to ongoing and periodic conflicts with the native inhabitants of their holdings.
German Togoland Flag
Togoland was the only German colony not to have a Schutztruppe (German Officers and NCO’s commanding native troops). Instead Togoland had a para-military police force. The police force was divided seggregated based on tribal background.
Conflicts in Togoland consisted of more than 45 small engagements against rebellious tribes. The most ardent opponents were the Dagombe who resented the German control over traditional trade routes. The Dagombe rebelled against the Germans along with their ally, the Konkomba, who resented loss of the tribal lands.
In September 1896, Lt. Valentine von Massow and a force of ninety-one police marched into the area to quell the revolt. They were attacked at Adibo by 6,000-7,000 Dagombe and Konkomba warriors. The use of machine-guns and discipline saved the day for the Germans. Some 500 natives were killed and their forces scattered. Shortly after the Battle of Adibo, Massow and his forces captured the Dagombe capital, Yenbli, and raised it. The rebellion soon ended.
The bars for the Imperial German Colonial Medal recognizes following periods of conflict in Togoland: 1894/95, 1895, 1896, 1896/97, 1897, 1897/98, 1898, 1899, 1898/99, 1900, 1900/01, 1901, 1902, and 1903.
As soon as war broke out in the summer of 1914, British forces from the Gold Coast Dependency and French forces from Dahomey launched an immediate attack on Togoland. The efficiency of their invasion and the limited strength of the resident German forces combined made for a speedy capitulation.
Unofficial Clasp for Togo Service
German Togoland
Following the arrival of German missionaries in 1847, German trading companies founded all four German colonies in Africa in 1884. Unfortunately, the trading companies proved unable to manage a colony. Beginning in 1885, administration of the colony was ceded to the Imperial German government. The German desire to expand their holdings led to ongoing and periodic conflicts with the native inhabitants of their holdings.
German Togoland Flag
Togoland was the only German colony not to have a Schutztruppe (German Officers and NCO’s commanding native troops). Instead Togoland had a para-military police force. The police force was divided seggregated based on tribal background.
Conflicts in Togoland consisted of more than 45 small engagements against rebellious tribes. The most ardent opponents were the Dagombe who resented the German control over traditional trade routes. The Dagombe rebelled against the Germans along with their ally, the Konkomba, who resented loss of the tribal lands.
In September 1896, Lt. Valentine von Massow and a force of ninety-one police marched into the area to quell the revolt. They were attacked at Adibo by 6,000-7,000 Dagombe and Konkomba warriors. The use of machine-guns and discipline saved the day for the Germans. Some 500 natives were killed and their forces scattered. Shortly after the Battle of Adibo, Massow and his forces captured the Dagombe capital, Yenbli, and raised it. The rebellion soon ended.
The bars for the Imperial German Colonial Medal recognizes following periods of conflict in Togoland: 1894/95, 1895, 1896, 1896/97, 1897, 1897/98, 1898, 1899, 1898/99, 1900, 1900/01, 1901, 1902, and 1903.
As soon as war broke out in the summer of 1914, British forces from the Gold Coast Dependency and French forces from Dahomey launched an immediate attack on Togoland. The efficiency of their invasion and the limited strength of the resident German forces combined made for a speedy capitulation.
Unofficial Clasp for Togo Service
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