1896 battle in Adibo during the colonial German military expedition against the Kingdom of Dagbon
The battle enabled Germany to consolidate the Togoland protectorate over the eastern Kingdom of Dagbon, while Britain absorbed the western portion.
Key Facts
- Date of capital razing
- December 4, 1896
- German commander
- Lieutenant Valentin von Massow
- Dagbamba capital destroyed
- Yendi
- German forces involved
- Schutztruppe and Askari paramilitary police
- Resulting protectorate
- Togoland (eastern Kingdom of Dagbon)
- Battle duration
- At least 2 days
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Dagbamba of West Africa resisted foreign authority, prompting the German colonial administration to dispatch Lieutenant Valentin von Massow with Schutztruppe soldiers and Askari paramilitary police to suppress the rebellion and assert control over the Kingdom of Dagbon.
Dagbamba fighters attacked the heavily armed German column en route to Adibo. After suffering significant losses on the second day of fighting, the Dagbamba yielded following the razing of their capital Yendi on December 4, 1896.
Defeat of the Dagbamba allowed Germany to complete the establishment of the Togoland protectorate over the eastern part of the Kingdom of Dagbon, while the western part was ceded to Britain and incorporated into the British Empire.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Lieutenant Valentin von Massow.
Side B
1 belligerent