machine gun fire. The attack stopped in the early hours of 10 May having failed to dislodge Van Deventer from the town. The South Africans finally had to withdraw due to heavy German pressure and occupied the town only after the Germans had already left. Aftermath After the battle, Lettow-Vorbeck continued to occupy positions in Kondoa for two months, launching sporadic raids on Van Deventer's supply columns and communications, and shelling the South Africans with artillery - including two heavy guns salvaged from SMS Königsberg. Van Deventer was unable to attempt an advance due to a lack of horses and the exhaustion of his whole division. General Smuts sent three further South African Regiments - the 10th, 7th and 8th, to secure the position. These men arrived on 23 May but were too late to save the initial positions and the town. In any case, their superior numbers forced von Lettow-Vorbeck to withdraw. References Bibliography Hew Strachan, The First World War in Africa (Oxford University Press, 2004) pp. 142-144 External links Jan Smuts' campaign dispatches Battles of the East African Campaign Battle of Kondoa Irangi Conflicts in 1916 Battles of World War I involving South Africa Battles of World War I involving Germany Battle of Kondoa Irangi May 1916 events