Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 257

The British War Medal awarded to Acting-Sergeant A.J. Hoffman, 5th South African Infantry attached 1st Battalion 4th King's African Rifles, who received a well-earned Military Medal for a desperate hand-to-hand fight at the Battle of Abdullah Kwa Nanga, German East Africa, in November 1917

British War Medal 1914-20 (A/Sjt A.J. Hoffman. 5th S.A.I.), good very fine

M.M. London Gazette 29 March 1918.

A.J. Hoffman served as a machine-gunner with the 5th South African Infantry and, in late 1917, was one of 12 similarly-qualified individuals from that regiment to serve on attachment to the 1st Battalion 4th King's African Rifles during several minor expeditions into the bush in an attempt to mop-up small German mobile columns. On 16 November, a British force (comprising 192 Askari, four machine guns and two Lewis Guns) commanded by Colonel Shorthose was surprised whilst on the march by a German force commanded by Captain Ernst Otto; in savage close-quarters fighting, the machine guns were overrun and 11 of the 12 South Africans were either killed or wounded and the British column scattered - Otto's force swiftly disappeared back into the bush. Several men, including Hoffman, subsequently received decorations for their gallantry that day.

For further reading, please see: https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/out-on-a-limb-the-road-through-tunduru-german-east-africa-may-to-november-1917/

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£200

Starting price
£40