Hi! Looking for the full name and rank(s) of a German officer named Tafel (one source says a captain another a colonel!). He served under GM Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck in German East Africa in WWI. Separated from the main body, he surrendered his 3,000 + command on or about 28 November 1917 near Nevala. Thanks!
Location: Normally Yorkshire, England, working in Germany
Posts: 945
Hi Shawn,
on checking the 1918 Rangliste I can confirm he had not progressed beyond the rank of Hauptmann which was certainly not unusual for a captain with his seniority. He was initially commissioned on the 9th of Feb 98. Not a bad command though for a captain - 3000+
General Tafel had a career almost the equal of Luftwaffe General Job Odebrecht.
Here is the final entry on Tafel's 5 company, 1,000 man command from Charles Miller's "Battle for the Bundu"--
"But a bad setback came on the heels of Ngomano, when von Lettow learned that he had lost Captain Tafel's thousand-man detachment which had been relied on so heavily to augment the main striking force. A few days earlier, Tafel's askaris had forced the Rovuma after marching and fighting their way across two hundred miles of barren scrub. Their food supplies were exhausted, neither crops nor game could be found, ammunition was down to barely a dozen rounds per man, and there was no sign of von Lettow. With his troops on the point of death from starvation, Tafel recrossed the Rovuma and surrendered to the pursuing 129th Baluchis.
It was unnecessary. On the south bank of the river, Tafel had been only a day's march from von Lettow. But he did not know this. Von Lettow called the surrender 'a severe and unexpected blow.'''
Theodor Tafel was born 21 May 1878 in Ravensburg. Served in the German army and colonial forces 9 February 1898 to 31 March 1920. Commissioned in Württemberg Infantry Regiment 120 16.2.99, Patent of 9.2.98. He served in the Chinese occupation forces 1904-1907, and from 3 December 1908 until his releasse from POW camp with Schutztruppen German East Africa. Discharged as a Major aD.
After the First World War he served for some time in the police, and was reactivated as an army Major (E) on 1 January 1936. Promoted to Oberstleutnant (E) 1.6.38, he was serving as Training Leader in Pforzheim until re-retiring 30 June 1939.
But that was not the end of Tafel's career-- he was recalled as Oberstleutnant zV for WW2, serving a s commander of Infantry Regiment 435 1 September 1939 to 27 March 1942. Advanced to Oberst zV 1.4.42 with seniority of 1.1.42, he received the German Cross in Gold 2 April 1942, just short of his 64th birthday!
From June 1942 until 31 August 1944 he was Commandant of Stalag XX.B, achieving final rank of Genralmajor zV 1 August 1944.
Bernhard Holst can probably provide a death date for him.
In addition to Rick's informative post it may be of interest that then Oberst z.V. Theodor Tafel was awarded the German Cross i. Gold for his command of I.R. 435 (dated 2.Apr. 1942 )which was component part of 215. I.D. This formation was then deployed in the northern area of the eastern front.
I do not have a date of death for this officer.
Gen. Paul v. Lettow-Vorbeck in his book : " My Reminiscences of East Africa " ISBN 0-89839-154-7 mentions Hptm. Th. Tafel favorably,
Bernhard H. Holst
German Officer Tafel - WWI German East Africa
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