Pages tagged with: 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.

Samoans were not consulted when Britain, Germany and the United States agreed to partition their islands in December 1899

When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, Britain asked New Zealand to seize German Samoa as a 'great and urgent Imperial service'.

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.

Map showing the boundaries of League of Nations mandated areas in the Pacific.

Colonel Robert Logan in Apia, Samoa, on 30 August 1914, the morning after he assumed responsibility as military administrator.

New Zealand First World War transports Moeraki and Monowai leaving Wellington for German Samoa, on the 15th of August, 1914.

New Zealand officials raise the Union Jack at Apia courthouse, Samoa, on 30 August 1914.

These images show New Zealand troops en route to German Samoa then landing and marching through the streets on 29 August 1914.

German naval flag flown at Apia in German Samoa, circa 1914.

German sign taken from the post office in Apia, German Samoa by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) during the First World War.

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.