by Carly Smesh
That night N'debi visited him; he talked to him about the chance that a war would break out in a few years.
"What I need to know old friend is what the German Askari's are doing over the river, how many are there, what weapons they have, where they camp."
"To find this out Bwana, you need the help off the Maasi, they have villages on both sides off the river."
"Could you speak to them for me N'debi and find out. They would be rewarded for such information."
He spoke at length with Martin regarding accurate maps off the area.
"Most off this part off East Africa has never been mapped. We will need good maps showing water holes, terrain elevations, ground conditions in other words maps that can give us the lay off the land."
"The best way to do that is too break the area up into five mile boxes, and survey it before moving on to the next box. It will take time to do it accurately, but if I can have a Matabele guide and a couple off Rham's men I could start immediately."
David thanked him knowing Martin had the necessary equipment and knowhow to accomplish it.
Susan and the children returned the following week, at the welcome home party he told her off Yasmin being pregnant but would be arriving with Sultar soon. Her face broke out in a wide smile, 'I must go into Nairobi and start to get furniture and material for their home before they arrive' she gushed, happy to be involved.
He drove Susan into the town two days later; whilst she shopped he went into the bar.
Stanley along with his son John, Bill, Ron and Hans, were there.
He took his drink over to them and sat down.
"So David" Stanley began, "so far there are forty-seven off us who are interested in joining your commando. Just what does it involve?"
David took a sip off his beer, before replying, 'At this stage, what we need more than anything is information on the enemy, accurate maps off the area we are likely to be active in. That's where you men would be invaluable, you know this land better than anyone. But most off that information is locked in your heads. We need to get that down on paper. Martin is going to start surveying the land, but it would help if some off you could go with him."
Stanley nodded, "The Germans don't take kindly to us crossing over to their territory, but there are places where it is done. The local natives despise the Askari's, they tend to bully them and take what they want. I have a few contacts with the locals who let me know if the Askari's are about."
David smiled, "that's what we need Stanley. We have about a year or two to prepare in, but I don't want them to know what we are doing. By the same token don't discuss this with anyone outside off those who volunteered, you can bet the Germans are doing something similar over here in preparation."
At this, the men looked startled at each other, has they realised what David had said could be true.
"There's one hundred Ghurkhas who fought for me in India who will be arriving in small numbers so has not to be conspicuous over the next month or so. They will be barracked at the Crater, and keep a low profile. We cannot allow the enemy to know we are preparing. What we lack in numbers, we make up in knowhow, regarding the land and speed in which we move."
By the time he left the bar Stanley and his son had agreed to accompany Martin for a week and then others would take their place.
Ten days later Sultar and Yasmin arrived along with twelve Ghurkhas dressed has servants and three Indian girls who were there has servants the locals thought. Knowing David and Susan had lived in India they put the arrivals down has royal friends visiting them.
Once at the crater the calibrations began, with Susan and Yasmin hugging each other and fussing over the children. Rham had organised a feast for the newly arrived comrades, which went on long into the night.
Sultar reported to him the next day, 'Colonel Sahib the next arrival of men is due in two weeks, they have been ordered to reach Nairobi in groups of four or five and make their way here."
"Thank you Major Sultar, and from now on you will refer to me has David or Colonel, Susan has Doctor or Susan, not Memsahib. That applies to all ranks."
"Very well Colonel" he replied a smile on his face.
Over the next four months, things began to fall into place. The rest of the Ghurkhas had arrived. The weapons from England arrived in three separate shipments. An armoury had been dug for them near the entrance to the crater, at the same time a rifle range had been constructed nearby.
The hunters had arrived at the crater in groups of four or five, and had been shown how to clean and maintain the .303 rifles and zero them in by the Ghurkhas, at the same time learning to respect the small hardy warriors.
Sultar had undertaken the task off showing how to operate the Vickers machine guns and mortars, which were a more advanced model than had been used at Khana Pass in David's day.
David's study had become a war room, were information on the enemy was correlated, at the same time to a large-scale map which was slowly being filled in has the time passed.
Information from England was becoming direr concerning developments in Europe.
Patrols were sent out consisting off a couple off hunters with four or five Ghurkhas in attendance, this enabled the new men to become familiar with the country and at the same time learn about the people and animals that roamed the land.
Patar had sorted out the horses for the men and paddocks for them.
Yasmin along with the three girls who it transpired were trained nurses joined Susan in the hospital. At her insistence it was made larger to house twenty beds.
Stanley was appointed a Captain in charge off the professional hunters. Rham was promoted to Lieutenant, second in charge off fifty off the Ghurkhas, with a Ghurkha called Tartrha in command who Sultar recommended.
Sultar took command of the final fifty. This made three troops off approximately fifty troopers. Nine Ghurkhas were held back has quartermaster and cooks, again at Sultar's suggestion.
Each rifle had a number given it after it had been zeroed to suit the individual trooper, which was placed in the armoury ready for use.
Uniforms had arrived, but apart from checking for alterations were kept in the Crater.
After long deliberation the group off troopers were called the 1st Nairobi Rifles.
David organised training involving setting up and firing the Vickers and Mortars until every man was familiar at doing it. This included their transportation by mules.
News filtered in that the Germans were expanding their force and a regiment of German soldiers had arrived from Europe along with artillery. Askari's were being recruited and trained and tensions were rising all along the eight hundred miles that divided the two countries. Maasi reports came in that Askari's along with white men had been seen checking the various fords of the river along the boundary of the country.
A month later David called for a meeting of all officers at the Crater. When they were all assembled he pointed to the map that Martin had now completed.
"It looks gentleman that if they do invade then the likely spot that they will cross the river is here at Mamboie Ford. I say that because of two reasons; one it's the firmest of the fords, and secondly it's the most direct route to Nairobi. If they intend to bring artillery, then that's the place I would cross."
He paused to let that register before continuing, "The problem with that route is that it's a hundred and twenty miles to Nairobi, and no water to speak of for ninety miles of it. They'll have to use bullocks to pull the guns so their rate of progress will be slow, say ten or fifteen miles a day. They will have no choice but to have water brought from the river to re-supply them. It's my intention that once they are fifty miles or so into our land to stop that supply."
He looked around the room, "Any questions?"
Sultar spoke, "How many men will be in the invading force Colonel?"
"The best estimate going on current information is in excess of a thousand."
.
"What if they don't bring artill
ery, what then?" Stanley asked.
David smiled, "I'm banking on the German attention to detail. They are past masters in the use of artillery and as they have artillery they'll use it if they can. Also, the new commander of their Army has arrived from Germany and he served as an artillery officer during the Franco-German War."
Bill who was a lieutenant in Stanley's troop said, "That's just rolling bush out there; not much cover at all."
David smiled again, "Another good reason for them picking it. But here two miles away from the track is a rift; it's more like a blind canyon, very narrow and about thirty feet deep stretching six hundred yards or so. I've ridden out and seen it; you could hide a troop in there without it being seen."
Stanley spoke again, "David you realise the Crater is on their way to Nairobi? They must know about the cattle and horses you have, not to mention the water."
David nodded, "I've thought of that. They have a bad habit of living of the land so it makes sense for them to try for it. So I'm keeping a troop back to guard it. They'll have four machine guns and four of the mortars. I've also told the local Maasi chiefs what is likely to happen to their herds if they come. They'll move north-east when they get the word."
"So it all depends on them doing what you propose Colonel?" Sultar murmured. "But you have not said which troop will be doing what?"
David looked grim, "It's all speculation I'll admit at the moment which may change as time goes on. But as of now, based on what I know, then Captain Tartrha along with myself will be in the rift. Captain Stanley with his troop will be in front of the column, creating mischief as and when appropriate. Whilst Lieutenant Rham's troop, with you in overall command will be responsible for the defence of the Crater."
David could see the look of disappointment on Sultar's face at this news.
Later he spoke to him, "Sultar, I know you want to be where the action is but your wife and daughter, as well as my wife and children along with others' wives and families are dependent on the Crater being kept safe. If I can't be here to do that, then I want my very best man to keep them safe for me."
Sultar looked at David and nodded, "You are right David, I will defend the Crater to the last drop of my blood."
David smiled, "I know my friend... I know."
A new energy overtook the commando now and patrols covered the expected route looking for ambush points along the way. A well was drilled in the rift and water was discovered; not in a great quantity but sufficient to create a small pool.
Training took on a new urgency and David looked on with satisfaction at the rapport between the hardened professional hunters and the Ghurkhas.
Chapter 43
Five weeks later Robert Keeling appeared at the Crater dressed in civilian clothes. Susan hugged him and made him welcome. Over dinner, with Sultar and Yasmin present, he explained his visit.
"I'm on a tour of strategic areas where there is likely to be conflict in the event of war.
I've just been down to Cape Town to see how they are organised. When I leave here I'll be going around the Horn of Africa and travelling up the Red Sea through to Suez. The Canal is vital to us. But we have learned of an impending treaty with the Ottoman Empire and Germany which could be a threat if they decide to move against Suez."
They listened with dismay at Robert's disclosures.
"So if war does come," Susan exclaimed, "it will be fought on a global scale?"
Robert nodded, "Yes, it will be a world war; fought on land, sea and air."
Sultar frowned, "Air? I don't understand," he murmured.
Robert smiled, "Flying machines have undergone a rapid development since the Wright Brothers' flight, in Europe by the Germans, French, and us. They're mainly used for artillery spotting and reconnaissance at the moment but we know Germany is looking at developing aircraft that could carry bombs. They already have giant balloons made by Count Zeppelin that can do that. In fact our agents have discovered that two aircraft were shipped out here to East Africa."
David looked at Sultar at this news.
Later he and Sultar showed Robert into his study to see the progress they had made in their preparations. Robert studied the maps and listened to David's thoughts regarding the German's attack plans.
"I concur regarding the attack route David, the only thing I would add is if they do use aircraft, it will be to reconnoitre their attack route first. You would be wise to make sure you are not seen."
Robert left two days later saying to expect more shipments from England.
At one of the officers meetings David discussed the threat of aircraft spotting them in the rift.
Stanley came up with the answer, "When we take up position at a water hole to give a customer a clear shot, we put a net hide over us to stop the birds giving the alarm. It's just a fishing net with strips of sacking woven into it. Seen from the top of a tree it's amazing how it blends in with the land below."
David smiled at the disclosure, "We could get big nets from Mombasa and connect them together."
Stanley agreed to go to Mombasa and buy some, and Sultar said the Ghurkhas would see to the sacking.
David staked out an area at the bottom of the crater to reproduce the length and width of the rift. Sultar's men then connected the nets together and began lacing the sacking into them. Some of the sacks had been dyed various colours of green and brown. Other nets were to be used for Stanley's troop. When completed they were carefully rolled up and placed on a wagon.
It took the two Ghurkha troops three days to erect it level with the rift edge, whilst lookouts kept vigil on the horizon. Clumps of grass and bushes were added to the nets until David was satisfied.
Two crates arrived from England marked as farming equipment. When they unpacked them, they found more .303 ammunition in one, but the second contained three strange looking guns.
There was a letter inside written by Peter from Birmingham. It explained the guns were called Lewis light machine guns, being made by the Birmingham Small Arms Company under licence from America.
That evening Sultar, Tartrha, Rham and David studied the three guns in his study, referring to the manuals that came with them. They examined the flat round magazines that were attached to the top of the gun, which according to the manual could hold ninety-seven rounds of .303 ammunition, with a firing rate of six hundred rounds a minute. There were twelve magazines in the crate. The machine guns were much lighter than the Vickers and could be fired by one man. The four men spent most of the night reading and examining the weapon until they were fairly conversant with it.
The next day having cleaned them and loading four of the magazines, they took them down to the rifle range to try them out, accompanied by the two Ghurkha troops. David was immediately impressed with the guns performance.
He told Sultar and Tartrha, "We'll use two of them at the rift; they will be ideal if aircraft do appear. The third will go to Stanley's troop for the same reason. That means you will have four more Vickers for the defence of the Crater, Sultar."
Word was sent to Stanley to bring his troop to the crater and Tartrha and Sultar showed them the operation and care of the Lewis gun, letting each man try in turn.
Messages from the Maasi indicated a large military camp was forming across the river near Mamboie, and that giant birds had been seen in the skies. Some of the tribes in the area had been crossing the river driving what few cattle they had left after the Germans had commandeered them. This news had made the Maasi on their side to begin to start moving north-east.
David started moving supplies and ammunition during the cover of night down to the rift along with fodder and oats for the horses. Ten of Tartrha's men moved into the rift to keep guard and observe. News came back that aircraft had been seen flying over their side of the river following the track to Nairobi.
David called for a council of war of all officers and senior NCOs.
"I fear gentlemen that hostilities will shortly break out here. We won't know if war has been declar
ed in Europe for a few days due to the time delay in information reaching us. Therefore if the enemy cross the river, I will take that as a declaration of war and that hostilities have begun.
"It is my intention to man the rift starting tomorrow night. Captain Stanley's troop will hold here in readiness to harass the enemy's vanguard."
He looked around the assembled men.
"I'm not fighting for God and the King, but for my family, home and land, and I'm prepared to die for that principle. Each of you will have your own reason to fight... I wish us luck gentleman in the days ahead.
Chapter 44
That day, uniforms and rifles were distributed; men sat round loading clips and putting them into their bandoliers.
During the evening he said good-bye to Susan and the children; Hanga had packed his saddlebags and bedroll onto Zeus along with his rifle in its scabbard. One of the .45 Colt Automatics was put in his saddle holster, and he wore the other in his belt holster along with his kukri.
Outside he said farewell to Martin and Jill, before turning to Sultar, "Keep them safe old friend," he murmured.
"With my life David," he replied.
Then with N'debi trotting on ahead and Tartrha at his side, the troop moved off down the track to the entrance.
The Havildar in charge of guarding the entrance stopped David.
"Colonel, a native just delivered this letter for you. I was just about to send it up to your home," he said handing over the letter.
David haltered the column and dismounted going into the guard hut to read it.
It was from Paul, written in a hasty hand. Basically he and his son were not taking sides, but Askari's had raided his farm forcibly enlisting his young workers into their ranks and stealing chickens and three of his Jersey cows. He had been powerless to stop it. They would have taken more but a German officer had arrived to stop them. The officer had apologised, but said they needed food for the coming invasion and had let slip that they would get more cattle and horses once they were across the river. This could only be the Crater, Paul wrote, and urged David to leave before they arrived.
Before remounting, David gave the letter back to the Havildar with orders to send it to Major Sultar.