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League of Nations mandates in the Pacific
Map showing the boundaries of League of Nations mandated areas in the Pacific.
Robert Logan in Samoa
Colonel Robert Logan in Apia, Samoa, on 30 August 1914, the morning after he assumed responsibility as military administrator.
NZ troop ships leaving for Samoa
New Zealand First World War transports Moeraki and Monowai leaving Wellington for German Samoa, on the 15th of August, 1914.
Wartime administration - capture of German Samoa
Raising the Union Jack in Apia Historian J.W. Davidson described New Zealand rule over Samoa as a ‘ramshackle administration’. German officials were replaced by New Zealand military officers, civilians, or British residents. These often lacked the experience or qualifications to do the job. As military administrator, Robert Logan governed a population of around 38,000 Samoans and 1500 Europeans (including part-Europeans and about 500 Germans).
Raising the Union Jack in Apia
New Zealand officials raise the Union Jack at Apia courthouse, Samoa, on 30 August 1914.
NZ troops arrive to annex German Samoa in 1914
These images show New Zealand troops en route to German Samoa then landing and marching through the streets on 29 August 1914.
Seizing German Samoa
With hindsight, New Zealand's capture of German Samoa on 29 August 1914 was an easy affair. But at the time it was regarded as a potentially risky action with uncertain outcomes.
New Zealand in the Pacific - capture of Samoa
Samoans were not consulted when Britain, Germany and the United States agreed to partition their islands in December 1899
Capture of German Samoa
When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, Britain asked New Zealand to seize German Samoa as a ‘great and urgent Imperial service’. Although the tiny German garrison offered no opposition, at the time it was regarded as a potentially risky action.
Background - NZ in Samoa
When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, Britain asked New Zealand to seize German Samoa as a 'great and urgent Imperial service'.
German customs flag
German naval flag flown at Apia in German Samoa, circa 1914.
German postal sign
German sign taken from the post office in Apia, German Samoa by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) during the First World War.
Capture of German Samoa, 1914
Royal Navy officers arrive at Apia, Samoa, 29 August 1914, with the demand for German surrender. The personnel pictured were from HMS Psyche, one of the three 'P' Class cruisers of the Royal Navy's New Zealand Station that helped make up the naval escort for the expedition to German Samoa. Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference No: PAColl-3752, 1/1-002929-G Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the Library through its Timeframes website
NZ force captures German Samoa
Colonel Robert Logan led a 1374-strong expeditionary force to capture German Samoa (afterwards renamed Western Samoa). The Germans stationed there were in no position to offer resistance.
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